Top Ten
March 20, 2017
UBC closes continuing studies department: Vancouver Sun
The Vancouver Sun reports that the University of British Columbia is cutting its continuing studies department, which has reportedly built up $4.8M in deficits over the past four years. UBC Associate-Provost Hugh Brock, however, says that the change is part of a bigger effort to refocus what the university now refers to as “extended learning.” “I would hate to send the message that this is about cutting,” Brock said. “This is about improving what we do and how we do it.” Brock added that the school is moving the programs associated with continuing studies into other UBC departments as part of a four-year effort aimed at revamping continuing education at the university. Last Wednesday, UBC’s senate reportedly approved changing the department’s name from “continuing studies” to “extended learning.” Vancouver Sun
Queen’s restricts remote network access to combat rise in cyberattacks
Queen’s University has announced that it will restrict remote access to its campus networks as part of an ongoing effort to fight cyberattacks. A Queen’s release notes that universities are “increasingly being targeted by malicious attacks,” and that the new move was inspired in part by recent attacks at Carleton University and the University of Calgary. As a result, the university is introducing steps designed to reduce the number of unauthorized access attempts to access Queen’s systems. “Cybersecurity is a top priority for Queen’s. We're constantly looking to enhance our security measures in order to protect your networks and your data,” says Queen’s CIO and AVP Bo Wandschneider. “Restricting remote access to one of these two methods reduces the amount of unauthorized access attempts to campus resources, which means everyone, and their data, benefits.” Queen’s
UMontréal receives $1M to sustain observatory
Université de Montréal has received $1M from the Quebec Economic Development Program to continue to support and conduct research through l’Observatoire du Mont-Mégantic. In particular, the observatory will be able to carry out new technological and scientific development projects, perform advanced innovation activities, and conduct maintenance on the facilities. Observatory Director René Doyon noted that the Observatory was originally closed two years ago, but was reopened thanks to UMontréal, Université Laval, various regional partners, and the federal government. Quebec Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau also spoke to the importance of the observatory and its activities to the vitality of the region. La Presse notes that the observatory supports research at the experimental astrophysics laboratories that are located on the campuses of UMontréal and uLaval. Journal de Montréal | La Presse
“We need more women” says UoGuelph Provost
“I am a minority in Canada. I am a woman in a leadership position at a large organization – in my case, a university,” writes Charlotte Yates in a reflection on the under-representation of women “in everything from corporate and public leadership to universities to science labs to global decision-making bodies.” Yates calls for a cultural change that would see more women advanced to leadership roles and maintained in these positions at universities in particular, given that their student populations are primarily women. She further notes that she has launched a new equity initiative at the university. UoGuelph | Ottawa Citizen
Canada needs to be proactive to address mass retirement of engineers: five deans
“Seniors now outnumber children in Canada. That’s a problem for engineering,” write Cristina Amon, Fraser Forbes, Jim Nicell, Marc Parlange, and Pearl Sullivan for Policy Options. As deans of engineering, the authors draw on personal experience and Engineers Canada data to warn that Canada will experience a shortfall of 100,000 engineers in the next decade as a result of retirements and growth. This shortage will deal a significant blow to the country’s innovation ambitions and economic development, the authors add, which is why Canada needs to invest in training more engineers, particularly in specialized areas. “There has never been a more important time to invest in tomorrow’s engineering leaders,” the authors conclude. “Canada’s ability to compete globally depends on our willingness to harness the top-tier engineering talent that will power economic growth in the years to come.” Policy Options
Huron cements collaboration with Harvard Business School’s HBX Program
Huron University College has announced that it will partner with Harvard Business School’s HBX Credential of Readiness (CORe) program to provide students of all programs with the fundamentals of business knowledge. Huron is reportedly the second university in Canada and the only university in Ontario to partner with the program. “We are immensely pleased and proud to officially become a collaborating institution with Harvard Business School’s HBX CORe program,” said Huron Principal Barry Craig. “We know our students are special. They’re not satisfied to sit at the back of a class. They want to find creative solutions to current issues. It’s our job to ensure that they have access to opportunities that will challenge them to grow as learners and citizens.” Huron
McGill24 campaign raises nearly $1.4M in 24 hours
McGill University has announced that last week, its second annual McGill24 day of giving raised $1.39M in 24 hours. The digital fundraising effort took place across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and various other web channels, where alumni and supporters used the hashtag #McGillProud to express their affiliation with and support for the school. Participants from around the world made over 3,500 individual gifts to support student programs, academic faculties, libraries, and more. New to this year’s campaign were challenge funds and matching gift commitments, which McGill says created thousands of additional dollars. “This is an incredible achievement and a confirmation of the power of the McGill community when it comes together,” says Gabrielle Korn, Executive Director of the McGill Alumni Association. McGill
MUN announces new entrepreneurship centre
Memorial University has formally announced the launch of its Memorial Centre for Entrepreneurship. The Centre was created to support and promote entrepreneurship at the institution, and is co-lead by the Faculty of Business Administration and the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science. “By fostering innovation among our students from the moment they enter our doors, Memorial University plays a critical leadership role in developing the entrepreneurs who will contribute to the future of this province, country and beyond,” said MUN President Gary Kachanoski. The centre received funding from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency; The Department of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation; The John Dobson Foundation; and other private donors. MUN
FNU, Katimavik partner to provide Indigenous youth with postsecondary education, job skills
First Nations University of Canada and Katimavik have announced a partnership that will see Indigenous youth provided with more opportunities for successful postsecondary learning and job skills training in order to pursue their life goals. In particular, the partnership will see Indigenous youth participate in Katimavik community service volunteer employment while studying at one of FNU’s three campuses. “This is a great opportunity for Indigenous youth to continue their higher education including their traditional culture and language”, says FNU President Mark Dockstator. “By working with Katimavik we will be able to share collective values that have been passed down countless generations in Indigenous communities with young women and men across Canada.” The two partners have also announced that they will collaborate on effective ways to engage Canadian youth from across the country in reconciliation initiatives. FNU
UFV, CPC sign transfer agreement
Students at Catholic Pacific College who complete their Liberal Arts diploma will be able to transfer to the University of the Fraser Valley thanks to a new transfer agreement between the schools. CPC grads will be able to enter the Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of General Studies degrees at UFV with full credit for their core coursework. “We’re excited to be collaborating with CPC on this initiative,” said Alisa Webb, UFV Associate Dean of Students, College of Arts. “Their Liberal Arts students will bring a strong skill-set to UFV and these skills align well with our revised Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of General Studies degrees.” UFV
