Top Ten
May 13, 2008
uSask to house transportation engineering centre
The Saskatchewan government announced on Saturday it will partner with the University of Saskatchewan to position the province as a North American leader in the application of new highway and road construction technologies. The Saskatchewan Centre of Excellence for Transportation and Infrastructure, to be housed within uSask's College of Engineering, will be a research and training hub unique in Western Canada. The Ministry of Highways and Infrastructure will contribute up to $1 million initially toward applied research and specialized training programs through the centre, which will serve as a "living laboratory." Saskatchewan News ReleaseNew guides on student privacy and safety in development
In the wake of Nadia Kajouji's suicide, BC and Ontario privacy commissioners are creating support materials to help campus counsellors recognize when a student's personal safety trumps privacy concerns. In a joint statement issued last Friday, commissioners David Loukidelis and Ann Cavoukian reiterated that personal information can be disclosed in emergency situations, such as the risk of suicide. Loukidelis says the support material will include a set of FAQs, scenarios, tips, and case studies to assist counsellors in making judgments about privacy and safety. The materials will most likely be ready in a few months. Ottawa Citizen | Information and Privacy Commissioner News ReleaseBC offers more support to students with disabilities
Last Friday, BC's Advanced Education Ministry announced it will enhance PSE access for students with permanent disabilities, by providing $12 million over 6 years. A ministry disability coordinator will ensure better alignment of programs and services for students with disabilities. The Assistance Program for Students with Permanent Disabilities, which offers financial assistance, will be expanded to include students studying at private institutions in BC. A $6.6-million Supplemental Bursary program for disabled students will help with educational costs. BC News ReleaseNSCC and Acadia launch joint Geomatics MSc
Nova Scotia Community College and Acadia University have joined forces to create the Joint Masters of Science in Applied Geomatics, which will give graduates with Advanced Diplomas from the NSCC's Centre of Geographic Sciences (COGS) the opportunity to pursue either a thesis or coursework track at Acadia. Students accepted into the program will be required to complete an additional year of residency at Acadia, as well as a thesis or major research project supervised by faculty from both schools. NSCC News ReleaseNSCAD close to getting Master of Film program
The Nova Scotia College of Art and Design's Board of Governors have approved a proposal for a new Master of Film program, which has been forwarded to the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission for review. The program, offered over 22 months, will combine directing, writing and producing with technical training and studies in film history and theory. NSCAD NewsCEO says smart education choices better for economy
Retired EnCana CEO Gwyn Morgan argues in Monday's Globe & Mail that recent StatsCan data proves PSE institutions should allocate more resources to teaching in-demand job skills. In 2001, 128,400 students were in enrolled in engineering, applied sciences and health care, compared to 316,500 in arts, humanities and social sciences -- which he calls low-paying, "unmarketable" programs. Morgan laments the growing shortage of skilled trade workers, because the students best suited to these fields are being lured away by universities. Globe & Mail
Postscript: May 22, 2008
In an unpublished letter to the Globe and Mail, the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada's president Claire Morris writes there are great opportunities in the so-called "unmarketable" fields of social sciences, fine arts and humanities. Recent Census data reveals one-fifth of such graduates work in business, finance and administrative positions, and graduates from a wide variety of fields have achieved management status. Morris also says jobs for university graduates, no matter what discipline, are growing faster than for those without degrees. AUCC Resources
