Top Ten
October 31, 2006
$60 million to Molson School of Business
Concordia University's John Molson School of Business is gearing up for construction of a new $120-million, fifteen-story building, thanks to $20 million from the Molson family and $60 million, announced yesterday, from the Quebec provincial government. "WeâSustainable Energy Science and Technology a National Priority
Yesterday, a federal advisory panel released its report warning that rising energy costs could harm the Canadian economy unless the country makes sustainable energy and energy efficiency a priority, through increased public and private-sector investment in innovation and research. Priorities identified by the panel include bioenergy, gasification, carbon dioxide capture and storage, electricity transmission distribution and storage, and fuel cells. The report recommends dedicated funds be increased for solar photovoltaic research, advanced fuel cells, hydrogen production and methane gas hydrates. It also urges all levels of government to send "clear and consistent market signals to address environmental issues such as climate change." The full report is available at NRCAN's website.National Skilled Trades Day
Yesterday was National Skilled Trades Day, and Skills Canada kicked it off at Algonquin College in Ottawa, along with area apprentices and Mike Holmes of TV's Holmes on Homes. Skills Canada emphasized that "one of the myths about the skilled trades is they're a second choice in post-secondary education... The truth is the skilled trades offer challenging and exciting work." The shortage of skilled workers from coast to coast is threatening the Canadian economy, and the Conference Board of Canada forecasts a shortage of more than 1 million skilled workers by 2020. For further information visit www.skillscanada.com. For additional background information on the skilled trades visit www.careersintrades.ca. Media releaseBachelor Degree Worth Extra $23,000 (US) a Year
A report released Thursday based on 2004 US Census Bureau data showed a $23,000 US gap in average annual income between adults with high school diplomas, and those with bachelor degrees. Salaries for high school graduates averaged $28,645 US; for bachelor degree holders $51,554 US, and for advanced degree holders $78,093 US. Five years ago, when 24% of US adults held a bachelor degree, the gap was wider --Â now 28% hold a degree. New England states (Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Jersey, and Washington DC) have the highest proportion of university-educated adults, while southern states (particularly Arkansas, Kentucky, and Louisiana) have the lowest. CNN articlePrivate-Sector Lessons for Colleges
Former college president Kent Farnsworth argues that US for-profit technical institutions will continue to grow in appeal, as they have in many other countries, drawing even more students away from public-sector colleges even at higher tuition levels. Community colleges need to emulate four key principles of the best private colleges: regard employers, not students, as the primary clients; insist on greater professionalism in student and faculty dress codes, attendance requirements, and facility cleanliness; move to competency-based graduation instead of mere course-completion; and offer options with less general curriculum content. He acknowledges the value of general education to nourish creative problem-solving, but argues that students are paying up to ten times higher tuition in order to avoid general courses, and public institutions should be more responsive to the marketplace. Chronicle of Higher Education (subscription required)
