January 20, 2009
On Monday, the federal government announced $17.5 million for 7 New Brunswick research projects under the Atlantic Innovation Fund. In addition to the government funding, the projects are estimated to leverage another $16.6 million from public- and private-sector sources, making the total investment worth over $34 million. The projects include the developments of an online marketing dashboard, a commercial energy recovery ventilation system, and biotechnology to help the paper and pulp industry.
ACOA News Release |
New Brunswick Business Journal |
CBCYork University may trim its intake of first-year students after preliminary data from the Ontario Universities' Application Centre shows first-choice applications to York dropped nearly 15% from last year, while overall submission decreased almost 11%. Usually the second most-preferred university among Ontario applicants, York slipped to fourth place behind the University of Toronto, Ryerson University, and the University of Western Ontario. A York official attributes the decline to the
strike by teaching assistants and contract faculty.
Y-File |
Globe and Mail |
OUAC Secondary School Statistics (by university)According to OUAC figures, nursing and social work programs are generating more interest among high-school applicants, with submissions to both disciplines up 11% from last year. Following close behind is environmental studies, to which applications jumped 8.5%. Meanwhile, applications to business administration programs have dropped 9%, and the decline is being attributed to higher entry standards and the economic downturn.
OUAC Secondary School Statistics (by program) |
Toronto StarNext week, Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada officials will visit Mount Royal College to consider making it one of the association's member universities. The visit will mark a milestone in the college's quest to be recognized as a
degree-granting university. AUCC approval would give MRC added prestige and certainty graduate schools would recognize students holding one of the college's university-level degrees. It is up to the Alberta government to bestow university designation upon MRC, and rumours suggest a name change may happen in conjunction with the college's 100th anniversary next year.
Calgary HeraldOn Monday, Concordia University kicked off a special information series running in the
Globe and Mail about sustainability initiatives happening at the university. The first installment covers sustainable communities. The article features Concordia's University of the Streets Café -- moderated public conversations brining together diverse groups; The New Rural Economy Project, meant to find ways of boosting the viability and sustainability of rural communities; and an outreach program in which MBA students offer business know-how to local entrepreneurs.
Sustainable CommunitiesA University of New Brunswick professor says the university is "irresponsible" for not cancelling classes Monday due to massive snowfall. The professor says UNB administrators have a "macho attitude" in that they feel they may have to extend the school year if inclement weather must force school closure. UNB's vice-president academic says in retrospect, he might have postponed opening until noon, but anyone concerned about travel conditions needn't have come into work.
Daily GleanerIn April, Georgian College will open at its Barrie campus the John Molson Courtyard, a new open-air dining and entertainment venue that will also serve as a practical teaching classroom. Located outside the Georgian Dining Room, the courtyard accommodates up to 100 people, has sound and stage capabilities, professional landscaping, and a student-run herb garden.
Georgian College NewsThe aging baby boomer generation is signalling a growing interest in gerontology programs among students and an expansion of age-related courses in Canada. About a dozen universities, including
Simon Fraser University, offer masters or PhD programs in gerontology. Students are realizing gerontology is a multi-disciplined field in which they can concentrate on areas such as health, recreation, and policy-making.
CanWest News Service3 University of Toronto engineering students recently launched a website dedicated to internship, summer job, and professional engineering year reviews. "internSHARE" allows students to read others' internship experiences before deciding where to apply, and gives reviewers a chance to reflect on their own experience and compare it with others. The site includes over 170 reviews and 1,500 members, mostly from universities in Southern Ontario.
uToronto News |
internSHAREAccording to a new US study, 85% of college admissions offices adopted social media in 2008, compared to 61%
the year before. 63% of admissions officers said they were "very familiar" with social networking, up 8% from 2007. YouTube usage increased substantially, with video being a popular medium for virtual campus tours and sample lectures. 23% of respondents said they used search engines and 17% used social networks to research prospective students.
SNCR News Release |
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