Top Ten
June 22, 2017
AB invests $25.8M in PSE student mental health
The Alberta government has announced that it will invest $25.8M over three years to enhance the mental health resources that are available to university and college students. CBC reports that the details of specific grants to institutions will not be available until Fall 2017, but AB has stated that the money will be used to promote mental health on campuses and provide students with better access to 24-hour phone and online counselling supports. AB Advanced Education Minister Marlin Schmidt said the grants will be provided directly to post-secondary institutions “so that when students need to go to someone for help, they don't have to wait or search endlessly or give up on their studies or themselves.” CBC | Calgary Herald
Canadian scholar receives death threats over work on Polish complicity in the Holocaust
A Canadian historian says that he has faced death threats over work he has published on Poland’s role in the Holocaust. According to the Canadian Press, University of Ottawa Professor Jan Grabowski argues that many Poles who killed Jews during the Second World War were not simply forced to collaborate with the occupying Nazis. The CP reports that many critics have written to UOttawa to accuse Grabowski of fabricating historical evidence, with the Polish League Against Defamation alleging that Grabowski’s views are unfounded and damaging to Poland. Many international Holocaust scholars have also reportedly come out in support of Grabowski, deeming him a scholar of “impeccable personal and professional integrity.” Globe and Mail (CP)| Medicine Hat News (AP)
Student activists vow to continue fossil fuel divestment campaign following board decision
The University of Winnipeg Students’ Association says that it will continue to fight for a full divestment from fossil fuels following a recent UWinnipeg board decision that stopped short of such a move. On Monday night, the school’s board approved the creation of a green fund that will support investments in renewable energy. The university has said that the policy is similar to that adopted by other schools. Students’ Association Environmental Ethics Director Avery Letkemann, however, says that nothing short of full divestment is acceptable. “I do not accept this as the final decision,” she said. “We're not giving up. Divestment is never going to go away. The campaign will never go away.” CBC | Winnipeg Free Press (Subscription Required)
ON employers having more difficulty finding qualified workers: report
Ontario businesses find it increasingly difficult to recruit qualified employees, according to a report from the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce. Titled Talent in Transition: Addressing the Skills Mismatch in Ontario, the report offers 10 recommendations to help the province better align Ontarians’ skills with those required by employers. The report was developed in partnership with leading officials in the private and educational sectors, as well as representatives from across Ontario. “Ontario employers are finding it more and more challenging to recruit properly qualified talent. If improvements are not made, we will find ourselves in a situation where there are ‘people without jobs and jobs without people’,” said Ontario Chamber of Commerce Interim-President and CEO Richard Koroscil. CTV News
Métis Nation of Ontario, Boréal renew MOU
The Métis Nation of Ontario and Collège Boréal have renewed a Memorandum of Understanding that was first implemented in 2009. The agreement will build on existing programs that respond to the needs of Métis students at Boréal. The strategies implemented by the MOU include the evaluation and enhancement of the opportunities available to Métis students. Representatives from the MNO will also participate in all phases of consultation and development regarding Boréal’s practices and policies on Indigenous teaching. MNO Chair and Boréal Board Member France Picotte said of the agreement, “the MOU’s main objective is to enhance the professional integration of the Métis, respecting their cultural specificity and improving their access to services, programs and employment services offered by Collège Boréal.” Boréal | NationTalk
RRC partners with Peterbilt to open new training institute
Red River College has partnered with the Peterbilt Motors Company to open the Peterbilt Technician Institute at RRC’s Notre Dame Campus. Paid for by Peterbilt, the Institute is a training program offered to graduates of RRC’s Heavy Duty Equipment Mechanic program, as well as those who are interested in advancing their skills and training to become certified Peterbilt technicians. “[The] College’s strengths in delivering this program come from our faculty’s connection to industry and the expertise they bring along with it,” says Tom Grant, Chair of Transportation and Heavy Apprenticeship Trades at RRC. “Having this program delivered here will help Peterbilt develop their next generation of technicians, and we’re excited to play an important role in supporting them.” RRC
Trent names Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies in response to recommendations
Trent University has approved 11 key recommendations to advance the cause of reconciliation at its campus, including the naming of the Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies. Coinciding with National Aboriginal Day, the announcement of the newly-named School was part of a major series of recommendations that also included a lecture-talk series for Indigenous leaders to speak to the university on Indigenous issues, and a new academic requirement for all undergraduate students to successfully complete at least 0.5 credits from an approved list of courses with Indigenous content. “National Aboriginal Day is a good day to celebrate these initiatives, but we are striving to make Indigenous reconciliation part of our everyday work and consciousness,” said Trent President Leo Groarke. Trent
Holland partners with College of Piping, Celtic Performing Arts of Canada on music and dance
Holland College has partnered with the College of Piping and Celtic Performing Arts of Canada to promote awareness and shared learning experiences in traditional Celtic and folk music and dance disciplines for students of both colleges. “We’re looking to collaborate for some events, staff and resources when it comes to workshops and maybe a competitive performance series,” said College of Piping Principal James MacHattie. “It’s all very, very new though. So basically we are going to start working together in certain areas to enhance Celtic music and dance education across P.E.I. by offering opportunities for our two institutions to share resources.” The Guardian
URegina, SaskPolytech propose bilingual nursing program
The University of Regina’s La Cité universitaire francophone and Saskatchewan Polytechnic could offer a bilingual nursing program as early as September 2018, reports CBC. The program would see seven bilingual students study in the SK collaborative Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. Half of the program’s courses would be offered in French, while the other half would be offered in English; the final year would include a French immersion program. CBC reports that the program is awaiting federal approval and funding. Pending approval, registration will open in October 2017. URegina | CBC
NorQuest partners with industry on flight attendant training
NorQuest College will reportedly be the first college in Alberta to offer Sterling Aviation Inc’s New Heights training. This training is focused on providing executive in-flight services for corporate and private customers, and graduates will gain extensive knowledge before entering the aviation industry. “We are not just offering an education,” says Sterling in-flight director Jacqueline Bailey. “We will see students through and assist them in procuring a position within the aviation workforce.” NorQuest vice president of business development Marian Gayed added: “It is a goal of ours to match employers with qualified graduates who are passionate about not only improving their own lives, but the health of the communities in which they live and work.” NorQuest
