November 24, 2008
University Canada West, a private institution located in Victoria, has been sold to Eminata Group, a Vancouver-based educational conglomerate that owns 30 education centres across Canada. While the exact purchase price has not been disclosed, the deal far exceeds $10 million and involves taking over all UCW's debts and that of its shareholders. The school has been on the verge of bankruptcy and failed to attract enough students since opening in 2005. Eminata hopes to go global with the school, attracting up to 700 students worldwide.
Victoria Times-ColonistUniversity of Calgary Campus Pro-Life, a student group, will risk arrest and possible expulsion by holding an on-campus protest this week that includes the display of graphic posters. After refusing to comply with uCalgary's request to make the posters less visible, the group received a letter last month from the university threatening legal action. Groups members will be considered trespassers and be subject to arrest, fines, suspension, or expulsion. A uCalgary lawyer says the Charter of Rights and Freedom does not apply to universities, and freedom of expression protection does not cover trespassers.
CBCAlberta-based Medicine Hat College is experiencing a construction boom, as there are up to 10 capital projects on the go. One major project underway is a power engineering and technology training centre, slated for completion in February. The college will add more space for trades programs through the construction of a trades and technology building. 2 major projects -- a $22-million visual communications building and a $55-million sports and wellness centre -- are awaiting approval from the provincial government.
Prairie PostBrandon University held an official launch last Friday for the Centre for Aboriginal and Rural Education Studies. The centre is designed to promote the research activities of graduate students in the education faculty. The centre will work with educators in Aboriginal and rural communities on improving teaching and leadership practices through a research-driven process.
Brandon U NewsIt's an embarrassing remark to hear, says the director of the sports medicine division at the University of British Columbia. He and the other founders of the clinic are dismayed by "how run down it's become." "The university has to take some of the heat for what's happened. I can't believe they've let it fall into such a state." Senior administrators plan to move the clinic into a new community health sciences building, although that depends on funding and could be years away. Clinic staff would prefer to stay where they are with a new facility.
Vancouver ProvinceDalhousie University has launched "Feeling Better," an online program designed to aid students experiencing some symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. The program takes a cognitive behaviour therapy approach, whereby students will learn to clarify their worst thoughts, then examine and change them. The program consists of 7 modules students work through at their own pace, with regular phone or e-mail contact from a program coach. Feeling Better takes about 2 months to complete. Students will be screened for the program, which is not intended for those with more serious problems, such as eating disorders and manic depression.
Dal News |
Feeling BetterSimon Fraser University's Public Affairs and Media Relations department has joined the
Twitter bandwagon to share university news. Twitter/SFU keeps users up-to-date with "tweets" on news releases and
SFU News stories. Twitter/sfupamr will connect users with "Pam R." -- the "voice" of the department.
Twitter/SFU |
Twitter/sfupamr
rtraction