January 23, 2009
A Chinese-born graduate of Memorial University of Newfoundland pursuing graduate study at Virginia Tech was decapitated with a kitchen knife at a campus coffee shop last Wednesday evening. Police say the victim, 22-year-old Xin Yang, and her alleged attacker, 25-year-old Haiyang Zhu, knew each other, but a motive for the killing has not been determined. The suspect, charged with first-degree murder, was not known to campus police or school staff that deals with mentally-disturbed students. In a statement, Virginia Tech's president says "an act of violence like this one brings back memories" of the
deadly shooting at the institution in April 2007.
Virginia Tech News Release |
Letter from Virginia Tech's president |
Associated Press |
Canadian Press |
AOL NewsLast Thursday, the Association of Canadian Community Colleges released a list of 120 campus expansion and renovation projects prepared to go ahead should the federal government make funds available. The projects, identified in a survey of ACCC's 150 members, require a total $2.12-billion in funding. ACCC president James Knight says investing in and expanding college capacity would not only create thousands of jobs, but also allow schools to produce more trained graduates needed to revive the nation's economy.
ACCC News Release |
List of projects |
Regina Leader-PostLast week we reported on a
$17.5-million investment in 7 research projects in New Brunswick under the federal government's Atlantic Innovation Fund. Now the remaining Atlantic provinces have received their share of funding. $12.4 million has been earmarked for 6 projects in Nova Scotia, $11.7 million for 5 projects in Newfoundland and Labrador, and $10.2 million for 5 projects in Prince Edward Island.
ACOA News Release 1 |
ACOA News Release 2 |
ACOA News Release 3The federal government announced last Thursday a $20-million investment in the creation of the Cellulosic Biofuels Network, whose research purpose is to increase the efficiency and reduce the costs associated with the production of cellulosic ethanol, particularly from agricultural biomass. The universities participating in the research network include Concordia, UBC, uOttawa, uSask, UOIT, uAlberta, Ryerson, uMontreal, and uToronto.
Canada News Release |
Manitoba Co-operatorRed River College has received $4.2 million in funding from the Manitoba and federal governments earmarked for specialized equipment for its new Centre for Aerospace Technology and Training. The centre -- a partnership between the college and Standard Aero -- allows students to train alongside industry partners using technology previously unavailable in Canada.
Canada News Release |
Winnipeg Sun On Friday, the Manitoba government announced it will provide over $2.3 million for 19 research projects at the Universities of Manitoba and Winnipeg that focus on health, the environment, and the development of new technologies. The investment comes from the Manitoba Research and Innovation Fund.
Manitoba News ReleaseLockheed Martin Canada, a military-equipment maker, has indefinitely postponed a recruitment visit to the University of New Brunswick after a student group, which claims the company produces "immoral, and sometimes illegal, products," opposed its appearance. Lockheed Martin's previous attendances at UNB career fairs have gone on without incident. Last week the student union defeated a motion against the company's recruitment session.
Daily Gleaner |
The Brunswickian (student newspaper)
According to a new poll conducted for Polytechnics Canada, 91% of Canadians believe that practical training is more important than theoretical education in getting laid-off workers back into the job market. 54% of respondents "strongly agree" that "educational institutions need to work more closely with businesses to produce highly-skilled people needed to sustain and improve Canada's economy." 86% said that in order to be competitive internationally, the federal government must boost investment in applied research.
Polytechnics Canada NewsConestoga College and the Town of Ingersoll Ontario have been discussing the possibility of setting up a campus in the town. Conestoga's president says the college is looking to expand and Ingersoll would be good choice given its closeness to the main campus in Kitchener. Ingersoll's mayor says the town is interested in having local options for training and retraining, and would welcome an investment from any community college. Should the campus be realized, it would be Conestoga's first in Oxford County.
Woodstock Sentinel-Review
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