Top Ten
May 17, 2011
Mount Allison reveals new brand
Yesterday Mount Allison University unveiled its new brand strategy and visual identity, inspired by the institution's tight-knit environment, immersive experience, and tradition of excellence. At the core of Mount Allison's new logo is an uppercase "A" distinguished by a flame symbolizing the torch of knowledge that is at the heart of the independent thinking and "fire within" passion that inspires all Allisonians. An official launch for the brand will take place this fall. The Mount Allison Brand
Job vacancies as Brandon U addresses pension troubles
In light of troubles with its defined benefit pension plan, Brandon University was forced to balance its budget this year by leaving 17 teaching and administrative positions vacant. The institution has promised that, through the use of sessional instructors, no student will be forced to extend their studies beyond their current graduation schedule. Brandon U has also had to postpone some work it hoped to do in the area of Aboriginal student recruitment. The institution has also had to put off hiring an institutional analyst, which was a position administration had hoped could put some context to student attrition. Brandon Sun
VIU cutting costs by restructuring continuing studies department
Vancouver Island University will restructure its Centre for Continuing Studies department as a cost-saving measure that is expected to save the institution between $500,000 and $1 million annually. 8 administrative positions will disappear, including the elimination of the dean position of the department. Most of the 7 other administrators will transition to other departments as others retire or leave their positions in that time. The transition of the department will occur over the next 6 to 8 months. A number of certificate and diploma programs offered in the department will move to "appropriate faculties" at VIU, says a university spokeswoman. Nanaimo Daily News
PEI unable to buy extra seats at MUN medical school
The Prince Edward Island government cannot purchase an extra 2 seats for medical students at Memorial University this year as it had hoped. The plan to increase the number of seats from 4 to 6 has been postponed as MUN's medical school is undergoing some renovations. MUN officials say once the expansion is complete it will have room for another 20 students. The new facilities will not be ready until 2013, at which time Health PEI will be able to buy the 2 extra seats. Each seat costs PEI about $50,000. CBC
Donations to McGill fund health research prize
Yesterday McGill University launched the Bloomberg-Manulife Prize for the Promotion of Active Health, a $50,000 annual award that will honour a researcher at a North American university whose work within the past 5 years has made substantial strides toward changing attitudes about active living. The first of its kind in Canada, the prize was created through two $1-million gifts -- one from McGill alumnus Lawrence Bloomberg, and the other from corporate partner Manulife Financial. The inaugural winner of the prize is expected to be announced this fall. McGill News Release | Globe and Mail
uSask business school receives $1-million donation
The University of Saskatchewan's Edwards School of Business has received a $1-million gift from former Cameco Corp. board member George Dembroski that will help students invest real money in the stock market. The donation -- made in Cameco shares -- will be used for scholarships, a virtual trading floor, and data sets for financial research. Part of the gift will establish the George S. Dembroski Student Managed Portfolio Trust, adding Edwards to the number of other Canadian business schools that offer a student-managed portfolio program. uSask News Release | Saskatoon Star-Phoenix
Athabasca U joins eCampusAlberta
eCampusAlberta announced yesterday that Athabasca University is the newest member of the online education consortium. eCampusAlberta will benefit from Athabasca U's expertise as it moves ahead with the expansion of student services and further enhances the quality of online education offered by consortium members. eCampusAlberta's membership now includes 16 provincial PSE institutions -- 11 colleges, 2 polytechnics, and 3 universities. eCampusAlberta News Release
MacEwan, Indian business school sign MOU
Last Thursday, Grant MacEwan University and India's Welingkar Institute of Management Development and Research signed a memorandum of understanding. The partnership will facilitate joint projects between the 2 institutions in the field of business education. This will enhance the understanding of business schools on an international level, as well as promote advanced learning and research activity among students, faculty, and staff. The MOU comes as a group of MacEwan business students is also in India on a study tour. MacEwan News
A new tradition at UNB
Spring 2011 graduates at the University of New Brunswick's Fredericton and Saint John campuses will be the first to receive the new UNB coin, which is being introduced on the occasion of the institution's 225th anniversary. The coin is to remind graduates of their experience at the university, the journey they took in reaching their goal, and that they are -- and will always be -- part of the UNB family. Each limited edition coin is inscribed with the UNB logo, crest, motto, and year. UNB Newsroom
Oregon bill would require add college application requirement for high school graduation
Late last month, the Oregon House of Representatives approved a bill that would require high school students to submit a college application in order to get their high school diploma. The bill's sponsor says the proposal is one way to increase Oregon's education levels within the state's current budget constraints. Under the proposal, students could satisfy the requirement by doing one of 3 things: apply to a higher education institution; submit an application to enlist in the military; or attend an orientation session for an apprenticeship or training program. The bill has gone on to the Oregon Senate. The Oregonian
