Top Ten
November 11, 2016
Canada will profit by providing more opportunities to international grads, says report
Canada must encourage more international students to stay and work in the country if it wants to make the most of their economic potential, according to a new report from the Conference Board of Canada. The report highlights how international students generate up to $10B annually in economic activity and account for 11% of total postsecondary enrolments in Canada. The report argues that Canada would benefit economically by changing immigration policy to help more international students work in the country after graduation. “International students generate billions of dollars of economic activity at Canadian Post-Secondary institutions and in the surrounding communities. They also provide considerable social and cultural value to Canada,” said Conference Board Vice-President, Industry and Business Strategy Michael Bloom. “On the other hand, the great majority of international students do not stay in Canada after their studies and hence do not employ their skills and expertise in our economy.” Conference Board | Report
YorkU student pursues human rights mediation over school’s sexual assault policies
A student has taken York University to mediation over what she argues is an inadequate response after she was sexually assaulted by another student, reports CBC. Mandi Gray first filed a complaint against YorkU in summer 2016 claiming the school lacked clear procedures for reporting assaults. Since then, YorkU has released interim guidelines for responding to sexual violence, yet Gray argues that these guidelines are insufficient. Gray met with university officials Wednesday in a mediation session organized by the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario. “They're making these really symbolic changes but they're not changing the structure,” said Gray. YorkU Spokesperson Barbara Joy noted that consultation meetings on the university's new guidelines are currently underway and that “any input we receive, including a submission by Ms Gray, will be included for careful consideration.” CBC (CP)
Contests offering growing opportunity for scholars to spread their research
Contests that give academics a chance to showcase their research are growing in popularity, writes Suzanne Bowness, and both institutions and granting organizations are showing interest. Bowness highlights several examples of how these competitions have emerged at least in part from a growing demand for academics to make their research more accessible to the public. “It helps the public become active stakeholders in the research,” says Kirk Luther, a Memorial University PhD candidate in forensic psychology. “Rather than being published in an academic journal and sitting on a shelf getting dusty, people can access this research in a much more user-friendly manner.” Bowness notes, however, that many academics are still skeptical of the trend, arguing that it waters down the role of true university research. University Affairs
Atlantic universities, Aboriginal communities renew research agreement on economic development
A partnership of Atlantic Canadian universities and the Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nation Chiefs gathered at St Francis Xavier University earlier this week for the renewal of the Atlantic Aboriginal Economic Development Integrated Research Program. The move comes “at a time when all Canadian institutions, including universities, are working to address the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission,” said John Paul, Executive Director of AAEDIRP, who added that “together, we will work to advance awareness and understanding of reconciliation; and provide knowledge to support strategic policies and programs that will improve the lives of Atlantic Aboriginal peoples.” NationTalk
NOSM receives $5M from Bruce Power
The Northern Ontario School of Medicine has received $5M from Bruce Power to perform health research with an emphasis on radiation and the environment in Northern Ontario. In addition to this funding, Bruce Power will renew the Bruce Power Chair in Radiation and Health at NOSM and provide a free, clean energy electric car charging station that will be open to the public, as well as an electric car for conducting research. The research performed with the $5M will measure the impact of low-dose radiation on health, the environmental impacts of radiation, the effects of radiation and diagnostic imaging on fetal programming, and the impact of radiation on Indigenous communities. NOSM
Nipissing report recommends more faculty control over university governance
A new report has marked “an important first step” in bolstering collegial governance at Nipissing University, says the school’s faculty association president Susan Srigley. The report was authored by a commission that was convened last year after a faculty strike at Nipissing, during which faculty input on governance reportedly became a major point of contention. The report recommends the creation of a senate budget advisory committee that will allow faculty to help guide the allocation of resources for academic purposes, along with new faculty representation on the Nipissing board’s process for hiring non-academic vice-presidents. The report further recommends the creation of a standing joint committee of the board and senate that will meet at least annually to review Nipissing’s governance structures. North Bay Nugget
NWCC signs triple transfer agreement with Australian university
Northwest Community College has partnered with Australia’s Monash University to create new pathways for students looking to begin their studies in Canada and finish in Australia. The new “triple transfer” agreement will allow students to complete their first two years at NWCC before transferring to Monash to complete an Associate Degree or Bachelor of Arts Degree. If they meet minimum academic requirements, they will also have the option to complete a related Master’s degree or a second degree in another field at Monash with an additional year of study. “As a College we pride ourselves on providing pathways to our students anywhere in British Columbia and increasingly the world,” said NWCC President Ken Burt. “Our students will get to study for two years in British Columbia and then in three years or less, complete a degree and a Masters from a university ranked in the top one percent of universities in the world.” NWCC
Canadore, UOIT partner to increase international student access
Canadore College and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology have expanded an agreement to increase access to college-to-university transfer programs for international students. The agreement allows international students in their first year at Canadore to declare their intent to pursue a UOIT undergraduate degree, which will allow them to be automatically considered for admission to a college-to-university program upon graduating from an applicable program. “This agreement highlights our institutions’ shared values of quality education, student access and success,” said Canadore Vice-President of Enrolment Management, Indigenous, and Student Services Shawn Chorney. Canadore | Bay Today
UPEI, faculty association agree to 2% annual raise in CBA
The University of Prince Edward Island and the University of Prince Edward Island Faculty Association have reached a four-year collective agreement that includes a pay increase of 2% each year and commitments to ensure that teaching workloads are equitable and fair, reports CBC. The agreement covers faculty members, librarians, sessional instructors, and clinical nursing instructors until June 30, 2020. By July 1, 2017, future retirees will also reportedly begin to cover 45% of the cost of supplemental health care benefits. Both UPEI and the faculty association have agreed to convene a committee made up of faculty members, administrators, and student union members to review existing practices and work together to enhance teaching and learning at UPEI. CBC | Charlottetown Guardian
Lakehead to create state-of-the-art research complex with $9.5M investment
Lakehead University has received $9.5M from the Canadian and Ontario governments to create a new state-of-the-art research complex. An existing Lakehead building will be enhanced to create the Centre for Advanced Studies in Engineering and Sciences. This centre will allow the school to offer advanced training courses, aid local businesses and start-ups in commercializing their products and services, and help grow the region’s economy. “Lakehead University will create a new space on campus that will allow our researchers to answer important questions and create exceptional innovations that will impact this region and the world,” said Lakehead President Brian Stevenson. Canada
