Top Ten
April 11, 2008
New $36-million health sciences complex at UTM
Construction is slated to start this fall on a new $36-million health sciences complex at uToronto's Mississauga campus. The new four-story facility will be home to the Mississauga academy of medicine and other health-related programs. The complex will benefit from state-of-the-art instructional, student support and biomedical research facilities, and will encourage interaction and collaboration between disciplines. uToronto News ReleaseFPSEBC calls for emergency summit regarding funding shortfall
The Federation of Post-Secondary Educators of BC is calling for an emergency summit of post-secondary leaders, to take a "united stand against provincial funding cuts." "The Minister is trying to pretend that everything is okay. He's wrong." This call is in response to the mid-March announcement that funding for PSE institutions would be cut 2.6% on April 1, 2008, and the Minister's comments yesterday in response to an outcry against program cuts and faculty layoffs across the province. FPSEBC points out that in September 2007, 75% of British Columbians supported investing more in public PSE. Federation News ReleaseEducation minister "scolds" Dal / Memorial for new B.Ed program
On Wednesday, Dalhousie and Memorial Universities announced a new 16-month bachelor of education program in Halifax. CBC reports that NS Minister of Education Karen Casey is disappointed with the decision to create another teacher education program in Nova Scotia. 3 months ago the education department recommended an end to education partnerships such as the one just announced. More than 1,000 new teachers are graduating each year in Nova Scotia, yet less than 400 are actually needed in classrooms. CBC$27-million grant program for rural and northern Ontario students
Yesterday, the Ontario government announced to students a set of travel grants for rural and northern students living more than 80km away from a college or university. Originally outlined in the 2008 Budget, the grants include $500 per term for students commuting long distances, and $300 per year for students who move away from home to attend PSE. It is expected that 24,000 students will benefit from this $27-million program over the next 3 years. Ontario News Release | Maclean's On CampusLaurier launches tribute website for memorial donations
Wilfrid Laurier University has launched a unique tribute website to "celebrate lives of alumni and friends of the university," and to address the increasing demand for ways to honour loved ones or celebrate accomplishments. The WLU tribute site creates a virtual community around the celebration of lives. Each tribute features a photograph of the individual, a "life story," and a guest book to allow people to post their memories or thoughts -- as well as a link to make a tribute donation in the person's honour, of course! WLU News Release | Tribute for Dr. Flora RoyIncoming UPEI students receive $2,000 bursary
PEI undergraduate students starting their first year of full-time PSE at UPEI in September will receive an automatic $2,000 George Coles bursary. Upper-year students will be eligible for additional financial support. The bursaries come from a commitment made in the PEI Throne Speech. Without the bursaries, UPEI's tuition sits at $4,400 per full-time student, and is already one of the most affordable schools in the Maritimes -- now even more so. UPEI News Release
Postscript: April 21 2008
The George Coles Bursary will be given to every PEI student who begins first-year studies this fall at UPEI, and varying amounts will be given to eligible students entering Holland College or la Société éducative, depending on the rate of tuition. The intent of the bursary is to encourage Island students to pursue PSE in PEI.
