Top Ten
April 24, 2017
Seven PSE institutions highlighted for “impressive” career services in cross-Canada study
A new national study of career services at Canadian PSE institutions has highlighted seven schools as having “impressive” models for providing these services. The study collected information on career services from 32 colleges and 35 universities that were located in all Canadian provinces and territories except for Nunavut, Manitoba, and Prince Edward Island. The study also reviewed 207 PSE websites and collected data on the level of institutional commitment to career services across Canadian PSE. After conducting its analysis, the study identified Wilfrid Laurier University, Queen’s University, Simon Fraser University, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mount Royal University, Fanshawe College, and Nova Scotia Community College as schools that had particularly impressive career services offerings. CERIC | Report
“Very poor mental health” for 14% of Canadian university students: survey
Growing demands for mental health services across Canadian university campuses are putting both students and administrators in a difficult position, reports Maclean’s. “The demand is increasing—and we take those demands seriously—but we’re not funded as a mental health services provider,” says Christopher Manfredi, vice-principal (academic) at McGill University. “We’re funded as an educational institution. Trying to find the resources within our budget is a big challenge for us.” A recent Maclean’s survey found that 14% of Canadian university students said that they were in poor mental health, while 10% rated their school’s mental health services as either poor or horrible. A further 31% said that their mental health was affecting their ability to succeed. Maclean’s
UAlberta, NAIT, SAIT sign partnerships in China
The University of Alberta, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, and Northern Alberta Institute of Technology have signed a number of partnerships as part of an Alberta delegation’s recent visit to China. UAlberta signed an agreement with China’s Tsinghua University to create the Joint Research Centre for Future Energy and Environment, a centre in which researchers will collaborate on a range of problems related to energy, climate change, renewable energy, and more. The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, and BYD Company Ltd also signed a letter of intent that will reportedly pave the way to create a world-class certified training course for servicing Heavy Duty Electric Vehicles. The program would be taught by certified instructors at NAIT and SAIT campuses or via remote delivery or onsite training. UAlberta | NAIT | SAIT
PEI students to become eligible for EI while attending PSE
Employment insurance will soon become accessible to more students attending PSE on Prince Edward Island, thanks to a new change to the provincial program. The Charlottetown Guardian reports that previously, only Holland College students were able to access the program. But PEI Workforce and Advanced Learning Minister Sonny Gallant told the Guardian that he will be making an announcement about the new change in the coming weeks. “I would like to also state, this bill is in over $30M worth of assistance that we give to students on an annual basis,” said Gallant. PEI MA Hal Perry added that the new change “is going to help many (many) Islanders, especially Islanders up on my end who have to come down here and have the addition cost of board.” Charlottetown Guardian
Cégep de l’Outaouais receives over $1.27M to support research, innovation infrastructure
The governments of Canada and Quebec have announced a $1.27M infrastructure investment at the Cégep de l’Outaouais to set up a research and innovation centre. The new centre will reportedly be modelled on a digital fabrication laboratory and will be home to a business incubator. The centre’s activities will be focused on supporting innovative industrial projects and improving specialized training in the areas of administrative and physics technologies. “In addition to contributing to the development of entrepreneurial culture in our region, this project will allow the Cégep de l’Outaouais to showcase the expertise of these programs across the Outaouais region,” said Frédéric Poulin, Director General of l’Outaouais. Canada
RRC holds official opening of campus’s first sweat lodge
Red River College elders, leaders, and students came together in a ceremony last week to mark the official opening of RRC’s first sweat lodge. “Today is a very important day as we continue our work to infuse Indigenous culture, knowledge and teachings across our College,” said RRC President Paul Vogt. “Indigenous student success is a priority at Red River College, and that means providing culturally relevant student supports to help remove barriers and create more pathways to success for our Indigenous learners.” RRC explains that each sweat lodge ceremony has a different purpose, which can include giving thanks; healing; seeking wisdom; and purifying the mind, body, and soul. RRC
Sainte-Anne offers a new business education option to NSCC graduates
Université Sainte-Anne and Nova Scotia Community College have signed a new agreement that will offer students who wish to pursue a career in business with a new opportunity. This agreement will allow graduates of NSCC’s Business Administration Diploma to apply for admission to the Baccalauréat en administration des affaires at Sainte-Anne, after which these students will only need to complete two more years to obtain a bachelor’s degree. “We are pleased to welcome graduates of the Business Diploma Program at NSCC. We hope that this agreement will encourage a larger number of students from NSCC to pursue studies in French at Université Sainte-Anne as this combination demonstrates advanced linguistic capabilities in Canada’s two official languages,” said Sainte-Anne President Allister Surette. NSCC
OCADU cites instability, budget concerns for cancellation of exchange program
The Ontario College of Art and Design University says that it has suspended a study-abroad program in Florence, citing economic and political instability in Italy along within internal budget pressures. Simona Chiose of the Globe and Mail reports that nearly two dozen students had already been accepted into the program prior to the announcement, and are now expressing their disappointment. Spokesperson Christine Crosbie has added that the university is looking to cut 3.5% across the institution, and adds that while losing the program is “a painful cut,” it “was something that was going to be extremely costly.” Globe and Mail
NorQuest receives $1.38M from federal government to establish Innovation Studio
NorQuest College will become home to a new space for business, industry, and community partners to work with students and researchers, thanks to a new $1.38M federal investment. “This displays a vote of confidence in NorQuest College from the federal government. It is encouraging to know that our priorities match when it comes to leading global innovation. The benefits of this partnership will well serve NorQuest students, our researchers and society,” said NorQuest President Jodi Abbott. A federal release notes that the funds will also be used to upgrade the roof and windows of NorQuest’s South Learning Centre. Canada
MNO, UOttawa move forward with working group to facilitate collaboration, communication
The Métis Nation of Ontario and the University of Ottawa have established a formal working group that will see greater collaboration and ongoing communication between the two parties. The parties will be working on a renewed partnership and collaborating on a number initiatives such as the development of community-based resources, a Métis speaker series for the coming school year, and a Métis Academic Conference in Spring 2018 that focuses on the history, way-of-life, and contemporary experiences of Ontario Métis. An MNO release describes how the working group builds on previous partnerships and collaborations between the two groups. MNO
