Top Ten

uToronto, UNB & McGill Top Law Rankings

Canadian Lawyer magazine has released its ranking of the top 10 law schools in the country, as well as acknowledgement that no schools scored lower than a B average. Many of the 500 respondents cited complaints about the high cost of law programs, preventing many young lawyers from working in smaller communities where the pay is less attractive. uToronto's law school ranked #1 with an A- overall (and an A for professors). UNB ranked #2, also with an A-. UNB's small student body set it apart from the larger institutions. McGill's law program came in at #3, and an A- as well. Canadian Lawyer
 

$4 Billion for Ontario Colleges & Universities

Last Friday, the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities announced a landmark multi-year investment into Fanshawe College and the University of Western Ontario. Colleges and universities will be receiving stable, predictable 3-year funding to support access and quality: $4 billion this year, and $4.3 billion in 2008-09. Predicted results are increased enrolment, improved graduation rates and more access to faculty members. The new Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario will monitor and report on progress towards these goals.  Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges & Universities Media Release

UNB & NBCC to Share Land, Buildings, Students

UNB and the New Brunswick Community Colleges (NBCC) announced on Friday that they have agreed to share their resources across the province. Both institutions have facilities in several of the same locations and under the new agreement; they will share land, facilities, programs, services and students wherever it makes sense. Shared programs, particularly applied degrees, will be pursued -- the two institutions have already successfully collaborated with hospitals and regional health authorities together. NBCC Saint John and NBCC Fredericton will likely expand onto the UNB campuses in those cities.  UNB Media Release

$20 Million Database of Biological Collections in Canada

The Canadian University Biodiversity Consortium added Acadia University to its ranks last week. The $20 million database project aims to build a digital, online database of Canadian biological collections. Approximately 20% of the planet's estimated biodiversity has been described, and of this Canada provided 5%. CUBC hopes that the recent decline of Canada's capacity to identify and describe its biota can be given new life. McGill, Memorial, uMontreal, uLaval, uAlberta, UBC, uGuelph, uManitoba, uSaskatchewan, uToronto and York University are also on the project, headed by Dr. Bruneau at uMontreal. Acadia Media Release | CUBC

George Brown Announces International Hospitality & Tourism Programs

George Brown College's Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism has joined with Chitkara Educational Trust and the Institute of Hotel Management, Catering Technology & Applied Nutrition in Mumbai. The global industry is demanding highly trained food and hospitality workers with international experience, and the new joint programs should give Indian students an opportunity to hone their skills and gain experience abroad. The programs are set to launch in August 2007. Graduating students will earn either a Food & Beverage Management or Hotel Management diploma from GBC and an accredited BSc in Hotel Management, Catering Technology & Tourism degree from Chitkara or an accredited Chef Training certificate recognized in both countries (IHM Mumbai students). GBC Media Release

Changes to BC High School Requirements

BC high school students will no longer be required to compile a portfolio of work in art, community, career planning, employment skills, IT and personal health. Starting in 2007-08, the new requirements will include 80 hours of physical activity, 30 hours of work experience, and a graduation transition plan including PSE or career goals. The portfolios came under fire by 2006-2007 graduates who compiled thousands of online signatures protesting the requirement. The Vancouver Sun

Memorial Launches Shop Towards Scholarships

Memorial has launched an online shopping/donation program with Rebate-a-Cause that aims to allow everyday spending to generate funds for students at the university. More than 450 retailers, including Chapters, Canadian Tire, eBay, Sephora, WestJet, Dell, Apple and more, offer rebated products through the site. Supporters pay the same prices they would offline, and the rebate funds go toward student scholarships. Memorial Media Release | MUN @ Rebate-a-Cause

Report on US State of College Admission

The National Association for College Admissions Counseling's 2006 report on the State of College Admission is available online in full. The lead concern is a persistent lag in minority enrolments: black and Hispanic students represent less than a fifth of undergraduates, while they are a third of the college age population. High school graduates are continuing to increase: 60% applied to and enrolled in PSE in 2005. College enrolments are expected to increase until 2014. Colleges accepted 70% of applications, and 58% of applications were from women.NACAC

Schwarzenegger Praises $500 Million Energy Institute

Energy company BP announced the creation of a $500 million Energy Biosciences Institute, which will pursue new sources of energy and ways to reduce energy consumption. The project will be lead by the University of California at Berkeley, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. According to Governor Schwarzenegger, it will be "the largest institute in the world dedicated to creating energy from biological sources." He has proposed adding $40 million in state funds to the project, as well as another $30 million sustainable-energy project.  Inside Higher Ed | The Chronicle of Higher Education (Subscription Required)