Top Ten
November 22, 2016
Conestoga to benefit from historic Cambridge district redevelopment
Conestoga College has announced that it will soon have new space for programs and applied research related to advanced manufacturing, cybersecurity, and electronics waste recycling, thanks to a $100M redevelopment of historic properties in the Gaslight District of Cambridge, Ontario. The college states that the redevelopment, lead by HIP Developments and the City of Cambridge, will create a new urban community that will introduce than more 100 high-tech jobs into the city, along with retail and restaurant spaces, a public square, and roughly 400 new residential units. “We are very pleased to work with our partners to establish this new innovation hub that will serve as a catalyst for economic development for the city and the broader community,” said Conestoga President John Tibbits. Conestoga
UManitoba, UMFA agree to tentative deal
The University of Manitoba has reportedly reached a tentative deal with its faculty following a strike that lasted 20 days. The faculty association has been on strike since November 1, citing concerns about workload protections, job security and protections against performance indicators. Concerns about salary were also on the table, yet the UMFA set them aside as part of an unfair labour practice complaint it launched against the provincial government. “The last few weeks have been challenging, and at times divisive, but it is my hope that our community will reunite in support of our commitment to our shared mission of teaching, discovery and engagement,” said UManitoba President David Barnard stated in a release. The university says that it expects classes to resume today. CBC
Centennial receives $44M investment to create Aerospace Campus
Centennial College has received $44M from the Canadian and Ontario governments to create its new Centennial Downsview Park Aerospace Campus. This campus will incorporate part of the former de Havilland building at Downsview Park and will mark the first phase in the development of a larger aerospace hub in the area. The hub will aim to bring academic institutions and industry together to stimulate and accelerate collaborative efforts in postsecondary curriculum enhancement, research and development, and technology commercialization. “Centennial's new training facility will anchor Ontario's first aerospace industry cluster, deemed vital to meeting challenges to Canada's fifth-place ranking as an aerospace technology provider in a global market,” says Centennial President Ann Buller. Centennial will reportedly commit an additional $28M for a total project investment of more than $72M. Toronto Star | Globe and Mail| Canada | Centennial
Study North finds success in recruiting students to Northern ON colleges
Colleges based in Northern Ontario are finding success through a program designed to attract students from the province’s south, reports the North Bay Nugget. Study North is a joint recruitment program that includes Canadore College, Sault College, Confederation College, Cambrian College, Northern College, and Collège Boréal. Each school reportedly contributes $167K per year to the three-year program to build student awareness of Northern colleges in Southern Ontario. The program has also benefited from a $3M investment by the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corp. “Two years ago, most [students from the south] couldn’t identify any Northern Ontario schools,” says program spokesperson Alex Rogerson. “Now, after two years, most are able to recognize them.” North Bay Nugget
Interest in Canadian universities spikes after Trump's election win
Canadian universities are reporting a sudden rise in interest from American students since the election of Donald Trump, reports the Globe and Mail. US-based traffic on the University of Toronto’s enrolment website was ten times higher on the day following the election, according to the school’s vice-president international, Ted Sargent. The Globe reports that Google searches in the US for “college Canada” and “university Canada” on the day following the election rose 200% compared to any other day in the past five years. McGill University Director of Admissions Kim Bartlett says that McGill received hundreds more applications from Americans last Tuesday compared to the same day last year. The Globe notes that it will take months before any concrete impact on admissions is known. Globe and Mail
CBU launches new bullying and sexual violence policies
“It’s incredible that people just come out and say what they want. They don’t stop to think about what they are saying and how it might have an effect on other people,” says Roy Karam when describing the harassment he received during his successful Cape Breton University Students’ Union presidential campaign. Karam tells the Cape Breton Post he is happy to see CBU adopt its new Campus Safe Initiative, which offers students resources to help deal with online harassment while introducing new policies on both bullying and sexual violence. In a press release this week, CBU President David Wheeler said the standalone Sexual Violence Policy will allow the university to better respond and support the CBU community. “In a society where rape culture unfortunately still exists, we want to ensure open dialogue and create a better understanding and awareness of consent and consensual behaviours,” said Wheeler. Cape Breton Post
Algonquin signs MOU with The Ottawa Hospital to pursue new collaborations
Algonquin College has signed an MOU with The Ottawa Hospital in an effort to enhance health research, innovation, and training. According to the agreement, the institutions will work together to “encourage and facilitate the development of mutually beneficial linkages” in areas such as digital health, clinical trials, and biotherapeutics manufacturing. “I am very proud to put Algonquin College’s name to this worthy partnership with The Ottawa Hospital’s research institute,” said Algonquin President Cheryl Jensen. “Every day Algonquin is building on its reputation in this region as a centre of excellence in applied research. Through this initiative, we are looking forward to exploring areas of collaboration, particularly as related to initiatives in digital health.” Algonquin
SLC signs agreement with Mexican Technological Universities
St Lawrence College has signed a Letter of Intent with the National Association of Technological Univerisities of Mexico, which represents 114 Mexican Polytechnic Universities.The agreement will expand on existing joint projects such as co-op studies and the exchange of academic materials, and will make it easier for students and educators from both countries to study abroad. SLC reports that this agreement will also see Mexican Polytechnic Universities explore dual credentials and joint credential programs with SLC. “Our partnerships with other countries is an important part of the St. Lawrence College experience and we’re excited to work with partners like ANUT to provide more opportunities for our students,” said SLC President Glenn Vollebregt. SLC | The Whig
Stop pretending that university rankings are legitimate, urges Canada Research Chair
Will university leaders … continue to wear the ‘new clothes’ provided for them each year by sellers of university rankings (the scientific value of which most of them admit to be nonexistent)?” asks Canada Research Chair Yves Gingras. The author argues that many institutions continue to tout their world rankings while knowing that these rankings are largely invalid. Gingras calls for more academics to criticize world rankings systems in a effort to help remind their schools that “the first value in a university is truth and rigor, not cynicism and marketing.” Before attempting to rank something among “the best in the world,” Gingras concludes, “it is necessary to know precisely what ‘the best’ means, by whom it is defined, and on what basis the measurement is made. Without this … the university captains who steer their vessels using bad compasses and ill-calibrated barometers risk sinking in the first storm.” University Affairs
Carleton signs agreement with Belgian university
Carleton University and the Université catholique de Louvain in Belgium have signed a co-operation agreement that will open up new opportunities in study and research. Carleton Dean of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs Matthias Neufang says that the agreement includes an intent to introduce double degrees at the master’s level between the two institutions, allowing students to obtain master’s degrees from both universities. “At Carleton, we understand the critical role that internationalization plays in advancing global knowledge and preparing our students for the demands and complexities of being a global citizen,” adds Rafik Goubran, Carleton acting vice-president (Research and International). “It is indeed an honour to formalize our relationship with such a distinguished global university.” Carleton
