Top Ten
November 14, 2011
Yukon looking to develop Canada's first Arctic university
During Yukon's recent election campaign, premier Darrell Paslowski pledged that if elected, his Yukon Party government would work toward developing Yukon College into a university, exploring which university model is best suited for Yukoners and northerners alike, and identifying Crown land on which to build university facilities. Prior to the territorial vote, Yukon had been in talks with the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, as well as with the presidents of Aurora College and Nunavut Arctic College, about the possibility of developing a pan-Arctic university. Such an institution could use the existing campuses of the 3 Arctic colleges as its infrastructure. They would be linked by a virtual network, similar to that promoted by the University of the Arctic, which has seen its funding from the Canadian government cut. Nunatsiaq Online
Conestoga considering expansion in Guelph
Conestoga College has submitted an "expression of interest" to the Ontario government to build a new campus in the Guelph Innovation District, a project in which the University of Guelph could also play major role. Conestoga president John Tibbits envisions a 200,000-square-foot campus that would be the focal point for an area of Guelph the municipality hopes to develop into a hub of environmental living and learning. If the province approves the proposal, the campus could open as soon as 2014 or 2015. Guelph Mercury
Carleton students rally for sexual assault centre
A group of Carleton University students rallied outside campus gates yesterday morning, calling on the institution to open a sexual assault centre. The rally follows 3 recently reported incidents of sexual assaults on campus. One man has been charged in connection with 2 of the incidents, and campus security has provided a description of another man in the third incident. While Carleton does offer counsellors to support victims of sexual abuse, the rally's organizer and co-founder of the Coalition for a Carleton Sexual Assault Centre says the support line is insufficient and wants university administration to support a fully staffed, student-run support centre. CBC | Ottawa Citizen
Trent celebrates new addition to Life and Health Sciences Building
Thursday marked the official opening of Module D at Trent University's Life and Health Sciences Building, a project that received a joint $20.7-million investment from the federal and Ontario governments. The 50,000-square-foot addition includes 216 new student spaces, including 12 fully-serviced research laboratories plus research utility space and teaching support areas. Module D also includes 6 fully-serviced, 36-seat teaching science labs, as well as a new imaging suite and 3 environmental chambers. The addition also features a 12,500-square-foot, federally compliant animal care facility. Trent News Release
Lakeland reopens modernized Applied Engineering Building
Last Wednesday, Alberta-based Lakeland College officially reopened its upgraded Applied Engineering Building, whose modernization received an $11.5-million contribution from the provincial government. Now housing welder and steamfitter-pipefitter programs at the Vermilion campus, the facility features 75 combination welding booths, each with a fume extractor. Improved functionality of the space has allowed Lakeland to incorporate a plasma cutting table, sub arc welder, and a special testing station for B Pressure recertification. Lakeland News Release
uWindsor merging schools of music, visual arts
The University of Windsor's senate has approved the merger of the schools of music and visual arts into a single administrative academic unit. Yet to be named, the merged unit will deliver existing programs in both disciplines and introduce new programs in film production, interdisciplinary arts, sound, and an option for students to design their own interdisciplinary degrees. The new unit will work toward relocating its operations to the Windsor Armouries building by July 2013. uWindsor Daily News
$1-million gift supports Grebel Centre for Peace Advancement
On Thursday, Conrad Grebel University College, an affiliate of the University of Waterloo, announced a $1-million donation from Mennonite Savings and Credit Union to fund the creation of the Mennonite Savings and Credit Union Centre for Peace Advancement. In addition to teaching and research facilities, the centre will offer shared seminar and project space for students and faculty, as well as space for community service organizations, pastors, and other peace builders. Grebel News Release
Quebec launches microsite to explain necessity of tuition fee increase
Following a day of student demonstrations, the Quebec government has set up a microsite on its planned tuition fee hike. The province says the site serves as reference for individuals wanting to understand why the fee increase is necessary and to find out about financial measures in place to ensure the affordability of university education. Meanwhile, a separate website has been launched to counter what it calls the education ministry's "disinformation campaign." The site links to a media report on the ministry spending $50,000 in taxpayer funds to buy Google keywords, including the acronyms of student organizations, to "push propaganda." Quebec News Release (in French) | droitsdescolarite.com | quebectuitionfees.ca | La Presse (in French)
Contest offers $8 million for ideas to improve business schools
Sponsored by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), the Ideas to Innovation Challenge contest is offering up to $8 million to business schools, including those from Canada, to come up with ideas to improve graduate management education. The competition began earlier this year with the selection of 20 top ideas selected from over 650 submissions from faculty, students, and industry in 60 nations. GMAC is now seeking proposals from business schools to implement the top 20 ideas that relate to curriculum, strategy, and entrepreneurial education and technology. Globe and Mail
International student enrolment in US rises by 5%
According to the latest Open Doors report, the number of international students at American post-secondary institutions grew by 5% to 723,277 during the 2010-11 academic year. There are now 32% more international students studying at colleges and universities in the US than there were a decade ago. China is the leading country of origin for foreign students in the US, with enrolment rising by 23% from the previous year. Students from the top 5 nations of origin -- China, India, South Korea, Canada, and Taiwan -- make up 53.5% of all international students in the US. The report states that during the 2009-10 academic year, 270,604 American students studied abroad for credit, an increase of 3.9% over the year before. Study abroad participation by US students has more than tripled over the past 20 years. The UK, Italy, Spain, France, and China remain the top host destinations. Institute of International Education News Release (international student enrolment) | Institute of International Education News Release (study abroad participation) | Open Doors Fast Facts
