Top Ten
September 9, 2009
R&D spending in PSE tops $10 billion
According to new Statistics Canada data, research and development spending in the higher-education sector in the 2007-08 fiscal year totalled $10.2 billion, up 6% from $9.6 billion in 2006-07. Spending on natural sciences and engineering stood at $8.1 billion, while the social sciences and humanities field accounted for the remaining $2.1 billion in R&D spending. PSE institutions themselves were the most significant contributors, investing $4.6 billion. The federal government was the second largest contributor, providing $2.7 billion in R&D funds. Statistics CanadaVIU breaks ground for Cowichan Place campus
Vancouver Island University held a groundbreaking ceremony last Friday for its $26.6-million Cowichan Place campus. At over 3,500 square metres, the new campus will serve students enrolled in university degree, business, health and human services, trade and applied technology, career and academic preparation, and employability skills programs. VIU News ReleaseUBC unveils new brand
On Tuesday, the University of British Columbia introduced its new brand identity, which bears the tagline "a place of mind." The brand also incorporates the phrase "From Here." The new brand will be publicized through an advertising campaign utilizing print, outdoor, online, search, and social media. In conjunction with the brand launch, UBC unveiled a new-look website, as well as a microsite titled "a place of mind." Visitors to the portal can watch a video advertisement of the new brand, and learn how "UBC is tackling the world's big problems." The microsite invites visitors to share their "From Here" statement for the chance to win an iPod Touch. Contributions include "Learning to raise the bar. From Here" and "Imagining what's possible. From Here." UBC website | A Place of Mind | UBC BrandFormer uManitoba student sues classmate over gossip
A former University of Manitoba science student filed a lawsuit last week against her former lab partner after she allegedly spread a rumour to other students, researchers, and lab workers that the woman, who is Iranian, was involved in a sexual relationship with her professor. The suit claims the lab partner repeated the rumour to other Iranian students, knowing it would be spread within the academic and Iranian communities. The woman, who denies having a relationship with her professor, claims the rumour forced her to move to Ontario to continue her studies and has risked any chance she has of returning to Iran. The suit claims the woman has suffered financial damages of over $71,000. Winnipeg SunNSCC faculty, support staff to hold strike vote
On September 22, faculty and professional support staff at Nova Scotia Community College will hold a strike vote. A conciliation report filed in June advised the province's labour ministry that the Nova Scotia Teachers Union and NSCC had been unable to reach a tentative agreement. The union's president argues that the education department is unwilling to provide the same salary increases and improvements to health benefits it agreed to give to public school teachers. NSTU News Release
Postscript: Sep 24, 2009
The Nova Scotia Teachers Union, which represents over 900 faculty and professional support employees at Nova Scotia Community College, filed a strike notice yesterday with the province's labour minister. On Tuesday, about 91% of faculty members voted 93% in favour of a walkout, while some 96% of professional support staff voted 90% in favour of joining the job action. NSTU News Release
