Top Ten
November 2, 2012
Former CLASSE spokesman to appeal contempt of court judgment
Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois, a former spokesman for the Quebec student group CLASSE, announced Friday plans to appeal his contempt of court judgment and is asking for public support to cover his legal bills. On Thursday, a Quebec Superior Court judge found Nadeau-Dubois guilty of contempt of court for urging student demonstrators to continue with pickets, despite an injunction granted to a Université Laval student allowing him to return to class. The judge rejected a plea of ignorance made by Nadeau-Dubois's lawyer on his behalf, stating that Nadeau-Dubois was aware of the uLaval student's injunction and used his position as a CLASSE spokesman to encourage non-compliance with a court order. The judge ruled that Nadeau-Dubois advocated anarchy. Nadeau-Dubois, who resigned from CLASSE in August, said Friday that with "all respect," the judge was mistaken and he never defended anarchy. He said the ruling sets a dangerous precedent for any spokesman in the future to speak out for fear of going to jail. Nadeau-Dubois faces a maximum of a year in jail when he is sentenced, and could also be sentenced to community work. Approximately 200 individuals marched peacefully with pots and pans Thursday evening in Montreal in support of Nadeau-Dubois. Montreal Gazette | Canadian Press
SFU support staff ramp up labour action
Citing growing frustrations over stalled contract negotiations, support workers at Simon Fraser University began escalating job action late last week. On Thursday, SFU's Burnaby campus was shut down while more than 1,000 members of CUPE 3338 held a day-long strike. The local said Thursday it would also picket the Burnaby campus again on Friday. Pickets were also scheduled to go up at the Surrey campus Friday, and at the SFU Harbour Centre and Goldcorp Centre for the Arts in Vancouver on Saturday and Sunday. CUPE announced Friday that striking support workers have scheduled an all-out, all-campus withdrawal of services this Wednesday. SFU will remain open, but some operations and scheduled classes may be affected. The striking workers, who have been without a contract since 2010, are seeking a settlement similar to those recently reached at other BC universities. CUPE BC News (November 1) | CUPE BC News (November 2) | CUPE 3338 News | SFU Labour Action Update Information Centre | Globe and Mail
CBIE releases inaugural annual report on state of international education in Canada
At its 46th annual conference today, the Canadian Bureau for International Education released the first global report on the state of international education in Canada, initiating a series of annual snapshots. The report reviews international education's increasing importance for Canada, explores the global demand for PSE outside one's country of origin, features cases studies on institutions' efforts to globalize their students' educational experience, and delves into international students' decision to study in Canada, drawing on results from a CBIE survey conducted in September. "A World of Learning: Canada's Performance and Potential in International Education" examines options for taking Canada to a higher level as an international education destination, as well as factors that could support or impede the country's efforts. Executive Summary | Access Report
NBCC unveils new 5-year strategic plan
On Friday, New Brunswick Community College released a new plan outlining its strategic commitments for 2012 to 2017. In planning the realization of its aspirations over the next 5 years, NBCC is making 4 specific commitments -- to learners, communities, employees, and stakeholders. The strategic plan outlines many new initiatives, such as the enhancement of multiple pathways for learners -- through e-learning, more flexible scheduling, and increased credit transfer opportunities; the creation of an NBCC Signature Learning Experience that connects learners and staff with community service and leadership opportunities; the development of programming and support services for potential entrepreneurs; the creation of an Aboriginal Elder-in-Residence program; and the formation of a vibrant NBCC Alumni Association. Other initiatives include enhancing international education linked to the New Brunswick government's strategies for population growth and renewing commitments to being a technologically advanced PSE institution. NBCC News Release | Strategic Plan
Conestoga outlines 3-year 25% enrolment increase goal in draft SMA
In its strategic mandate submission, Conestoga College sets a goal to grow its enrolment by 25% in the next 3 years "to address the unmet demand for applied, labour-market focused education to the broadest possible population." Conestoga targets growth of 2,500 full-time students within 3 years with the following enrolment mix: 3-year degree -- a new credential urged by Colleges Ontario (23%); 4-year degree (23%); diploma (21%); graduate certificate (13%); certificate (12%); and pre-university (8%). As part of efforts to increase its revenue, Conestoga says it will manage enrolment growth to provide more opportunities for domestic students to meet local market needs and produce economies of scale, as well as increase international student enrolment to address a regional skills shortage and support the globalization of Conestoga's programs. Conestoga News | Conestoga SMA
Algoma U enrolment rises by more than 20%
Algoma University reports that 1,427 students are enrolled at the institution for the 2012-13 academic year, representing a 20.3% increase over last year's enrolment. The university attributes the growth to new programming and strong recruitment efforts. New student enrolment this year has jumped by 39% over 2011, says Algoma U president Richard Myers, noting that this was the university's largest first-year class ever, and easily the most diverse. Approximately one in 6 students at Algoma U this year are international, having arrived from countries such as Bangladesh, China, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico, Nigeria, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia. Approximately 50 more students from Saudi Arabia are expected to arrive at Algoma U in January. Algoma U News Release
International campus proposed for Chatham-Kent
Officials at 3 major agricultural universities in China are interested in the idea of setting up an international campus in Chatham-Kent, says the director of economic development for the southwestern Ontario municipality. Having recently returned from a 2-week visit to China along with Chatham-Kent's mayor and a Chatham-area entrepreneur, the director says the potential campus would be established in partnership with the University of Guelph's Ridgetown campus. "Officials with the Chinese universities were quite enthusiastic regarding our proposal," the director says. "We expect further discussions in Chatham-Kent in 2013." Chatham Daily News
Olds College to open Fashion Institute in Calgary
Alberta-based Olds College is moving its Fashion Marketing Certificate and Apparel Technology Diploma programs into brand-new facilities in downtown Calgary. Starting September 2013, all first-year students in these 2 programs will be studying at the Fashion Institute, which will serve as an education hub and a fashion industry incubator. The new location for Olds College's fashion programs will offer heightened career opportunities. "Students will have access to top-industry connections at their fingertips," says the chair of the college's School of Business. "They will collaborate with elite modeling agencies, art galleries, theater and dance companies, existing fashion houses and retail outlets, and participate in local events and grass roots fashion movements to understand the industry's multifaceted career options." Olds College will host the official grand-opening of the Fashion Institute in April 2013 as part of its centennial celebrations. Olds College News Release
BC invests more than $1 million to encourage students to consider trades
BC Advanced Education Minister John Yap announced Thursday a $1.1-million provincial investment to encourage students to pursue a future in skilled trades. $675,000 will support the Discover Trades program led by Trades Training Consortium of BC -- a group of 14 public PSE institutions that promotes trades training in the province -- to provide easy access to information to high school students about the many opportunities available for trades training in BC. $300,000 will support the Industry Training Authority to engage employers and boost their participation in training and hiring apprentices from post-secondary trades training programs. $125,000 will go to Skills Canada BC to prepare high school and PSE students and apprentices in the province for the Skills Canada National Competition 2013, taking place in Vancouver in June. BC News Release
Alberta Health Services poised to hire hundreds of new nursing grads
Alberta Health Services (AHS) announced Thursday it is boosting efforts to hire more full-time nurses, including new graduates. Under the 2010-13 United Nurses of Alberta collective agreement, AHS has committed to hiring at least 70% of Alberta's graduating registered nurses (RNs). Nursing students in Edmonton are welcoming the news of the province's hiring efforts. "When we first entered the program there was a hiring freeze for RNs and it was a huge topic for all of us but they said hopefully when you graduate there will jobs and now there are, so that's awesome," says a MacEwan University nursing student. Another MacEwan nursing student says she has been open to leaving the province for work, but she would much rather stay -- and not just because she grew up in Edmonton. "This is where I've been educated and I almost feel you have to pay back the city that's been training you the whole time. We kind of owe them those skills back." AHS News Release | CTV
