Top Ten
April 13, 2017
NAIT receives up to $1M from Cisco Canada for Centre for Applied Technology
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology has announced that a contribution of up to $1M from Cisco Canada will be used to fund the Centre for Applied Technology, acquire new technology, and support new student-focused initiatives. “This is an incredible gift that will have a lasting impact on our students and instructors,” commented NAIT President Glenn Feltham. “This support from Cisco will provide students with new opportunities through the design competition and ensure our instructors have the very latest knowledge of emerging technologies.” The funding will also see the launch of a visiting sabbatical program for faculty in the School of Applied Sciences and Technology, the establishment of a architectural design competition, and a speaker series for students that focuses on the application of smart building technology. NAIT
U of T students receive $4M investment in AR training from Modiface
Modiface, a startup company in Toronto, has invested $4M to train University of Toronto students in augmented reality. The investment will reportedly be used to fund research and internships for undergraduate and graduate students. “The biggest limitation to how much we can grow is our ability to recruit and find augmented-reality engineers,” commented U of T professor and Modiface CEO Parham Aarabi. “Finding engineers who are experts in all of these domains is actually quite difficult. The university provides an excellent academic base, but we often find they (students) need more hands-on experience.” CBC
StatCan releases report on PSE enrolment rates by parental income, province
A new report from StatCan has found that the percentage of 19-year-olds enrolled in postsecondary education increased steadily from 2001 to 2014 among all families, and found that this was particularly true of those in the bottom of the income distribution. StatCan also reported that enrolment rates had increased faster in Eastern provinces such as Ontario, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland than in Western provinces. Similar enrolment rate growth was noted in men and women throughout the studied period. These findings have a particular relevance to policy, as StatCan notes the importance of family income to financial aid systems and the many programs developed to make education more affordable for low income families. StatCan
CNA to provide training for workers impacted by services closure
The College of the North Atlantic has received funding from the Newfoundland government to provide training for workers impacted by the closure of Kiewit Offshore Services in Marystown. The government announced that it will be funding the $1.3M training initiative through the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Labour Market Development Agreement. “The College of the North Atlantic is well positioned to respond to labour demands throughout Newfoundland and Labrador,” commented CNA President (Interim) Elizabeth Kidd. “We are pleased to offer this training program that will make a positive difference in the lives of workers in this region.” The training will focus on priority areas identified by Unifor Local 20 and the provincial government. CNA
Fanshawe partners with Siemens Canada, receives $28M software gift
Fanshawe College and Siemens Canada have partnered to deliver new learning opportunities to Advanced Ergonomic Studies students, allowing them to help design products and measure workplaces in order to improve comfort and reduce injuries. As part of the partnership, Siemens has provided students in the School of Public Safety with the opportunity to use Jack™ software, a contribution valued at over $28M. “This investment from Siemens ensures our students are well prepared for relevant and rewarding careers upon graduation,” says Fanshawe President Peter Devlin. “We thank Siemens for its continued support of Fanshawe and helping us unlock the potential of our students.” Fanshawe | London Free Press
Three reasons why dual-career academic couples do not give each other good advice
“When my partner and I talk to each other about our academic jobs - are we giving each other good advice?” asks Joshua Kim of Inside Higher Ed, before diving into three reasons why the answer might be no. First, he notes that by virtue of the relationship, partners may lack objectivity when evaluating one another. Second, he states that in the case of a couple both attempting to navigate the same institution, mistakes in analysis or perception could be magnified over two careers instead of just one. Finally, he notes that most members of dual-academic career couples are naturally unequal due to the academic labour market, where each partner may hold a role of leading or trailing spouse, and that this issue of equality may help or hinder the quality of the advice each partner gives the other. Inside Higher Ed
Concordia opens archive documenting historic Negro Community Centre
Concordia University has formally opened an archive of materials from the Negro Community Centre, which closed in 2013 and was a major part of Montreal’s Black Community. Concordia history students took part in researching the archive’s photos and documents to understand specific aspects of the centre. “One of the reasons why you could have people like Oscar Peterson and Oliver Jones come out of the neighbourhood is that you had a real commitment to the youth who lived here,” said Désirée Rochat, community educator and a research assistant for the project. “The fight against Apartheid, connections with the Civil Rights movement, or other social justice movements. It's interesting because it's a very local history, but with international connections.” CBC
Investigation at Maisonneuve after professor accused of racism
Collège de Maisonneuve has opened an investigation after one of its professors allegedly stated that all students who did not return an assignment on time were black, reports La Presse. Pierre Paquette, the professor and a former Bloc Québécois parliamentary leader, reportedly made the statement while collecting an assignment in class. The event reportedly drew a negative reaction from students on social media networks, who denounced the words as discriminatory. Paquette says that he was unable to apologise at the time of the statement, but did so at his next class. Line Légaré, director of communications at the college, stated that Maisonneuve will be reviewing the situation and will determine from there whether disciplinary action will be taken. La Presse
Digital strategies must begin with a quality website
Institutional websites provide the foundation for an effective digital strategy, writes Meg Fowler Tripp for Inside Higher Ed. First and foremost, Tripp advises that websites be developed with a focus on internal and external users, which requires institutions to think about qualities such as user familiarity with the school, the type of information and tasks that will need to be most clearly available, and the appropriate contact information for user questions. The article then outlines ways to evaluate off-site channels and their interaction with the website. Finally, web designers are advised to develop a website that is easy-to-use and easily maintained to provide the best, most up-to-date user experience. Inside Higher Ed
Sheridan Honours Bachelor of Interior Design receives CIDA accreditation
Sheridan College has announced that its Honours Bachelor of Interior Design program has received accreditation from the Council for Interior Design Accreditation (CIDA). The assessment required a review of program curriculum, student work, facilities, and resources; as well as interviews with faculty, students, and administrators. “Congratulations to the Interior Design faculty who have spent several years designing a comprehensive curriculum and preparing for this CIDA review,” said Heather Whitton, Associate Dean. “This is a rewarding conclusion to years of hard work and dedication.” Sheridan
