November 30, 2007
Mount Allison University has announced several initiatives to help raise AIDS awareness, and also plans a panel discussion on the topic. Brandon University students plan to attend an on-campus vigil next Tuesday, and also plan a Bikes for AIDS fundraiser. A special reflection service, choral performance and display of 2,300 red flags will take place at uGuelph. The world premiere of Positive Voices: Leading Together, a 60 minute documentary directed and edited by York University alumni, will be held tomorrow.
The Government of Canada has announced $109.7 million to fund 109 Canada Research Chairs, including $5.7 million through the Canada Foundation for Innovation. Mohamad Sawan, who holds the CRC in Intelligent Medical Devices at the Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal, was featured during the announcement. Researchers at the University of Toronto collectively received $18.5 million, UBC $15.5 million, and the Université de Montreal $12.7 million.
Yesterday, Ontario's Liberal government opened the legislature with a throne speech promising an additional $3.1 billion per year in funding for public education, a new $300 textbooks and technology grant for university students, a renewed commitment to university infrastructure funding, and new distance grants for students commuting from remote areas. The Council of Ontario Universities welcomed the government's commitment to "a "better educated, more highly skilled Ontario," while Ontario's faculty associations urged increased funding for universities.
The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology celebrated the opening of its new $12 million Shell Manufacturing Centre this week. The facility is a "one-stop shop" for leading manufacturing technology education and service. Shell gave $2.5 million towards the facility, and established $500,000 in trades bursaries and entrance scholarships. Western Economic Diversification Canada contributed $3.1 million, and the Alberta government gave a further $1.5 million. The facility will accomodate 400 students per year.
The University of Northern British Columbia has angered students and the community with its decision to install biometric finger scanners at its new Northern Sports Centre in Prince George. The scanners are a cost-effective way to keep the facility secure, but students say its privacy costs are too high. "In order to save time and money, they have introduced the most personally invasive method of identification." UNBC says that no information is being stored that could ever be used to report on a student.
In preparation for its centenary celebrations in 2008, the University of Alberta has launched a media-rich portal site to support the campaign. The site includes a history of the school, a link to donate to scholarships, an alumni page, message from the president, as well as YouTube videos documenting the creation of the centenary logo (by the school's own senior design students).
Campus Stores Canada, the national face of the Canadian Campus Retail Industry, has launched a campaign to change a federal law to allow book prices to drop dramatically for consumers. Currently, exclusive distributors have the right to add 10-15% on top of increases to cover currency differences. "This regulation serves as a private tariff on reading. Why should Canadian students have to pay significantly more for their books than their peers in the US?"
The mumps has hit Calgary, and in particular the uCalgary hockey team. The UC Dinos were to play rivals the UA Golden Bears, but have been taken off the ice due to 6 mumps cases among the players. There have been 43 cases of mumps in Calgary since October 1, despite free innoculations being offered by Calgary Health Region. Mount Royal College has launched an on-campus innoculation campaign, reaching thousands of its students.
A study of Nova Scotian high school grads from the class of 1998 reports that 80% of students felt well-prepared for life after secondary school. The majority reported that they received the academic and work-related skills necessary for success. A little more than 50% of respondents felt they could have benefited from additional courses and skill development. Greater course selection and more/improved guidance on career options were the most common recommendations.
5 years ago, an online video game website started a dual-purpose charity to raise money and toys for kids in hospitals over the holidays, and also to shine a light on the generosity of video gamers, who are often portrayed negatively in the media. Now in its fifth year, Child's Play is supported by several campus video-game clubs and societies, including the University of Windsor. The global campaign raised $1 million in 2006, and donated gifts to almost 50 hospitals around the world, including the BC Children's Hospital, the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, the Montreal Children's Hospital, and the IWK Children's Health Centre in Nova Scotia.
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