Top Ten
July 29, 2011
Former FNUC VP files defamation suit against FSIN Vice Chief
Last week Wes Stevenson, a former First Nations University of Canada vice-president who pleaded guilty to fraud in June, filed a defamation lawsuit against Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations Vice Chief Morley Watson over a letter Watson wrote after Stevenson's sentencing. In his statement of claim, Stevenson contends the letter "alleges that (Stevenson) was responsible for unfair hiring and firing practices, preferred and privileged management decisions, disregarded FNUniv policy and participated in criminal activity against FNUniv." The claims also states the letter unfairly suggests Stevenson was the cause of events that followed his 2005 termination -- including financial difficulties, declining enrolment, and funding reviews -- and was published "with the malicious intent of damaging (Stevenson's) reputation." Regina Leader-Post
Saskatchewan AE minister responds to regional college review
On Thursday Saskatchewan's advanced education minister released his ministry's response to the 2010 Regional College Review report. The ministry has identified several key priorities, such as meeting the needs of students by strengthening the relationship between the ministry and regional colleges; improving governance in colleges with a focus on the training of board members; establishing performance measures for colleges to inform planning and decision-making; and building on the college system's capacity to respond effectively to local, regional, and provincial labour market demands. Saskatchewan News Release
Report summarizes discussion on turbulent times for higher education
According to a new essay from the American Council on Education, university presidents representing European nations, the US, and Canada all agree on one thing: PSE institutions are facing turbulent times. Based on the discussions of 30 institutional leaders at the 12th Transatlantic Dialogue, held in June 2010, the report states that according to participants, some of the most prevalent challenges facing PSE today focus on adapting to changing and increasing demands from governments and diverse student bodies. The report includes an agenda for PSE moving forward and calls on institutional leaders to develop the next generation of leaders; create new funding models for the 21st century, and in particular, seek sources outside the government; and value imagination and creativity. Read the essay
SSHRC distributes millions in Insight and Connection grants, Talent awards
On Thursday the federal government announced a $121-million investment through Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada awards to support more than 1,700 research projects being undertaken by individual researchers, small teams, and through partnerships. The funding comprises a range of research grant competitions offered through SSHRC's Insight and Connection programs. The government also announced Thursday a $116-million investment to support over 2,500 of Canada's emerging research leaders with funding awarded through SSHRC's Talent program. SSHRC News Release (Insight and Connection) | SSHRC News Release (Talent)
Nunavut Arctic College to offer first business degree
Nunavut Arctic College will soon offer a bachelor degree program in business administration -- the first of its kind in the North -- with help from a donation from the Royal Bank of Canada. The college will work with a university in southern Canada to offer the program, which will specialize in accounting. The program is expected to begin in the 2012-13 school year. Nunavut Arctic College/RBC News Release | CBC
87% of Kwantlen grads find work 4 months after graduating, survey finds
According to a recent survey of Kwantlen Polytechnic University graduates, 87% of respondents found work within 4 months following graduation. Of those graduates, 44% found employment within a month of graduating, including some who were recruited before they graduated. Kwantlen attributes part of the continued success to the real-world applicability of its courses and its commitment to teaching analytical and strategic thinking along with the practical day-to-day skills required to execute projects. Kwantlen News Release
CNA opens skilled trades suite at Grand Falls-Windsor campus
On Thursday the College of the North Atlantic's Grand Falls-Windsor campus celebrated the official opening of a new industrial trades suite, which will allow the campus to offer skilled trades programming starting in September. Funded by the federal and Newfoundland and Labrador governments, the $5.5-million, 12,600-square-foot facility features 2 multi-function skilled trades shops, a multi-function classroom, and multi-media centre. CNA News Release
uCalgary's Haskayne begins construction of finance and trading lab
The University of Calgary's Haskayne School of Business has begun construction of its N. Murray Edwards Finance and Trading Lab, which is slated for completion before classes start in September. The trading floor will allow students to learn how to use trading information systems such as Bloomberg and Thomson Reuters to evaluate trades in stocks, bonds, and commodities. The lab will be used in investment, risk management, and capital budgeting courses. Haskayne will develop a specialized curriculum to be structured around the capability the lab will offer. Haskayne News
Globe series on why Millennials are not finding work
As part of the Globe and Mail's "Leading Thinkers" series, Philip Oreopoulos, an economics professor at the University of Toronto, notes that college and university graduates are hit particularly hard during recessions because they are the ones competing for good-quality jobs, of which there are few available. Graduates who are mobile and consider possible career shifts are more likely to see their wage gap decrease. Leading Thinkers
US college officials consider Foursquare's potential in improving student engagement
According to a recent US survey, just 20% of campuses have an institutional presence on Foursquare, the most popular in a suite of "geo-social" websites. Those who are using Foursquare believe it could soon become a more powerful and tangible tool for engaging with students. Marketing directors interviewed by Inside Higher Ed say that Foursquare encourages students to explore campus. They say the site offers opportunities to incentivize certain behaviours on campus, such as involvement in extracurricular activities and visiting the library, and reward those behaviours. Earlier this year Foursquare took aim at colleges with its "college badge program," which lets institutions offer virtual rewards to students for checking in at certain places. Inside Higher Ed
