Top Ten
May 23, 2012
Students mark 100 days of tuition-fee protests in Quebec
More than 100 people were arrested at the end of a long day of protests in Montreal in which tens of thousands of individuals took to the streets Tuesday over several hours to mark the 100th day of the student movement against planned tuition fee increases in Quebec. Most demonstrators followed a pre-approved route submitted to police, as required by Bill 78, and at least one splinter march was declared illegal by police. The CBC reports that there were small clashes between protesters and police, some involving demonstrators being pepper sprayed, and 4 people were taken to hospital for minor injuries. Related events were held Tuesday in Calgary, Vancouver, Toronto, New York, and France in support of Quebec students. The Canadian Association of University Teachers has pledged $20,000 to help Quebec student groups cover the legal costs to defend students charged while participating in a peaceful protest. CBC | CAUT News
Program cuts at NBCC
New Brunswick Community College announced Tuesday that it has discontinued its journalism program in Woodstock, graphic design program in Miramichi, and geographic information systems program in Moncton for the next academic year. The cuts were made based on research and industry demand, says NBCC's VP academic and student development. Although the 3 programs are being cut, students in the middle of their studies will be able to complete their education. NBCC News Release | CBC
ACCC study explores how to sustain applied health workforce
The Association of Canadian Community Colleges has conducted a study to develop and promote a pan-Canadian approach to ensuring a sustainable supply of applied health care professionals. Research for the study was undertaken by Academica Group, in collaboration with a multi-stakeholder working group, and focused on identifying effective approaches to improve student retention and success in allied health programs, as well as strategies to integrate internationally educated health professionals into the Canadian health care system. The study's findings suggest several policy directions, including developing allied health sector resources to support focused student recruitment strategies, increasing the number of Aboriginal allied health professionals, and strengthening alignment between post-secondary allied health programs and sector needs. ACCC News Release | Documents
uAlberta, neighbourhood coalition sign MOU on south campus development consultation
The University of Alberta and the South Campus Neighbourhood Coalition (SCNC) have agreed to a new consultation process on the development of uAlberta's south campus. A new committee composed of representatives from the 8 neighbourhoods most affected by the south campus developments will meet with uAlberta, at least 4 times a year and more often if necessary. Relations between the south campus neighbourhoods and the university have been strained in recent years, and last December SCNC went to court arguing that uAlberta did not follow its own consultation procedures. SCNC agreed to drop its lawsuit and signed an MOU with uAlberta outlining how consultation will work. uAlberta/SCNC News Release | Edmonton Journal
UPEI releases vision document
The University of Prince Edward Island has produced a new vision document, which outlines the institution's vision of being "a leader in delivering outstanding experiential learning opportunities that encourage students to develop to their full potential in both the classroom and community" and "the development of tomorrow’s leaders who will emerge from their studies ready to excel and contribute to the betterment of our local and global communities." Based on the document, UPEI will prepare strategic action plans to fully develop and realize the opportunities that lie within the following pillars: student experience; vibrant communities; exploration and discovery; and living sustainability. UPEI News Release | Vision Document
uWaterloo Engineering unveils new strategic plan
"We’re aiming to make Waterloo Engineering a truly world-class school of engineering -- the destination of choice for outstanding students, employers, employees and partners around the globe," says the dean of the University of Waterloo's Faculty of Engineering, summing up the aspiration of the faculty's new strategic plan. To reach its aspiration, the plan concentrates on 6 priorities: attracting, engaging and retaining outstanding students, staff and faculty; committing to excellence in programs and services; undertaking high-impact research; building connections and promoting collaboration; fostering innovation and entrepreneurship; and providing facilities to support excellence in education and research. uWaterloo Daily Bulletin | Vision 2015
Over 900,000 Canadian youth not in school and not employed in 2011
A new Statistics Canada article reports that in 2011, 13% -- or 904,000 -- of the 6.8 million Canadians between the ages of 15 and 29 were neither enrolled in school nor did they have a job. Having changed little during the past decade, this proportion has been among the lowest of all G7 countries. Of these 904,000 individuals, 391,000 were looking for work and 513,000 were not looking for work. The remaining 5.9 million young people (87%) were equally split into those enrolled in school and those with a job. Statistics Canada | Article
$1-million grant expands training opportunities at CNA
Hibernia Management and Development Company Ltd. has awarded $1.03 million to College of the North Atlantic to expand access to training opportunities for women, individuals with Aboriginal status, persons with disabilities, and members of visible minorities. $880,000 of the grant will go into the Hibernia Project Diversity Fund, which will establish 2 bursaries: the Hibernia Project Diversity Bursary Program and the Hibernia Project Women in Industrial Trades and Engineering Technology Bursary. The remaining $150,000 will establish the Hibernia Project Assistive Technologies Fund to support learners with disabilities. CNA News Release
BC supports Camosun business case on trades renewal project
With financial support from the BC government, Camosun College will develop a comprehensive business case for its Trades Renewal Project. The business case will include: development of innovative approaches to renew and rehabilitate existing facilities; detailed cost estimates, including capital, facility operations, and maintenance requirements; analysis of labour market demand for the college's trades program graduates and industry needs; and analysis of traditional and alternative partnership and procurement methods that consider the project scale and complexity. BC News Release | Victoria Times-Colonist
Seneca creates mobile app
Seneca College has developed a mobile application for the iPhone and BlackBerry, and a version for Android-operated smartphones is in the works. The SenecaMobile app allows users to stay up-to-date with the latest campus news, as well as access campus maps, a college directory, social media links, and library information. Seneca News
