July 4, 2007
The Canada Foundation for Innovation has announced $26 million in funding for universities across the country. The funds are to be used to attract and retain the "best and brightest minds from Canada and around the world." 136 projects across 40 universities will benefit from the money.
CFI News Release |
The Montreal Gazette It's not a common time of year for university strikes, but non-academic staff at Bishop's University, in Lennoxville Quebec, walked off the job at midnight last Wednesday night. Other members of the union, which includes professors, contract faculty and librarians, will stay on the job as talks continue, with the help of a government-appointed conciliator. Bishop's is currently projecting a deficit of more than $3 million, and has $5 million in accumulated debt. 2007-08 enrolment at Bishop's is expected to be down 10% from last year.
Bishop’s News Release Ryerson University's urgent need for space to house programs and student services has driven the institution to pursue expropriation of the former home of Sam the Record Man, at Young and Gould in Toronto. The University has stated a preference to purchase the property from the Sniderman family, but after 18 months of discussions, Ryerson informed the family of an intent to pursue expropriation. Ryerson has only 66% of the space recommended for the size of its student population, according to COU standards, and sees the property as an opportunity to establish a Yonge Street gateway, and help revitalize the neighbourhood.
Ryerson News Release Late last week, the ground was broken for "distributed medical education" in Southwestern Ontario, as construction begins on the building that will house the Windsor program of the University of Western Ontario's Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry. The $24-million, 2-storey medical education building is expected to open in Fall 2008 with 24 students. An image of the building as it will look when completed is available on uWindsor's website.
uWindsor Daily News 4 British Columbia institutions have come together to offer a new Masters degree in digital media, starting in Fall 2007. The senates of UBC, SFU, the Emily Carr Institute, and BCIT have all approved the curriculum for the new program, which will be offered in Vancouver and accredited by all 4 schools. The program received $40.5 million in the 2007 provincial budget, and is touted as "the MBA of the digital world." Vancouver is renowned for its "digital edge," and the new program is meant to combat competition from similar programs already offered in South Korea and Malaysia. The Globe & Mail Northern BC's first bachelor degree in fine arts will be offered by the University of Northern British Columbia, in partnership with the Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design, starting in September. Credits in creative writing and English literature will be earned from UNBC, and those in art and art history will be taken at the Emily Carr Institute.
BC News Release According to the first survey of graduates from all of Saskatchewan's PSE and training institutes, 85% of 2004-05 grads stayed in the province. 88.3% were employed at the time of survey, and 8.8% were either adding to their education or choosing to stay at home. Approximately 12,000 students graduate from Saskatchewan's universities, institutes and private vocational schools each year. Aboriginal students and those pursuing trade/vocational careers were the most satisfied with their programs, and regional PSE delivery was found to encourage participation, particularly in both these groups. The government expects new tax incentives to increase the number of grads staying in the province.
Saskatachewan News Release |
Read the full report (PDF)
A survey released by the Council of Ontario Universities found that, 2 months after graduating from a university undergraduate program, Ontario's class of 2004 had an employment rate of 92.8%. After 2 years, the class achieved 96.2% employment. The average salary after 6 months was $37,778, and after 2 years as $45,375. After 2 years, 83.4% of students who were employed full-time considered their work at least "somewhat" related to their university education. 11,388 graduates completed the COU survey.
COU Report (PDF)
Confederation College, in Thunder Bay Ontario, has announced a new program that aims to get Aboriginal students "involved in learning through use of the written word." The Written Tradition Project will start this Fall, and is part of an applied research program that will inform a new curriculum through Negahneewin College. There are currently 1,000 registered Aboriginal students attending Confederation College. The big picture goal of the new program is to encourage "Native students across the country to stay in school. To finish high school, to get their BA, to get their MA, get their PhD -- stay in school as long as possible and become really well educated, articulate, skillful."
Thunder Bay Source Beginning this September, learners in the southeast Manitoba community of Steinbach will have access to Arts, Science, and Education courses offered by the University of Winnipeg, as well as Continuing Ed courses. 3 and 6 credit courses will be offered via the Eastman Education Centre in Steinbach. Steinbach claims to be one of the fastest-growing cities in Manitoba, and has a large Mennonite population, as well as considerable immigration from Germany.
uWinn News Release | City of Steinbach
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