Top Ten

Government establishes new Indigenous mentorship program

Jason Beardy, a first year student at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine in Thunder Bay, says that the new national Indigenous Mentorship Network Program is “a much-needed step” in supporting those interested in pursuing a health care or research career. The program will be available to undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral students, and will be characterized by a Two-Eyed Seeing approach, which combines Western perspectives with cultural teachings and knowledge around healing and traditional medicine. The federal government has provided the program with $8M in funding. “There will be increasingly more research done by Indigenous health care researchers on the issues that are of importance to them,” said Federal Minister of Health Jane Philpott. CBC | Chronicle Journal

King's enters partnership with Kyungil University

King’s University College has signed an MOU with Kyungil University, located in Daegu, Korea, that will see the institutions strengthen cultural and educational links between both institutions. The partnership will enable research collaboration and educational exchanges between the schools for students, faculty, scholars, and staff. “King’s is delighted to become a partner of Kyungil University located in Daegu, Korea. Our collaboration begins with an innovative, six-week summer program at King’s,” said King’s Vice-Principal Enrolment Services and Strategic Partnerships Marilyn Mason. “We are excited about hosting Professor In-Suk Yang and 14 students and look forward to continuing to build this strong partnership.” King’s

International students targeted in marriage schemes

Media outlets in India reportedly state that there is a “booming matrimony market” for international students who can help would-be spouses migrate to a Western country. “Families are looking for matches to get their sons or daughters abroad,” explains Kwantlen Polytechnic University political scientist Shinder Purewal. “And the most successful route to Canada is through international-student channels. It’s an easy way to get immigration.” The Vancouver Sun explains that parents of the male spouse typically offer to cover expenses for international students in exchange for a real or fake marriage that will allow the spouse to live and work in Canada, positioning them to become permanent residents of Canada. Vancouver Sun

McMaster acquires golf management institute, plans to offer diploma

McMaster University has acquired the Burlington-based Golf Management Institute of Canada, and the McMaster Center for Continuing Education will soon be offering an online diploma course in Golf & Resort Management. “Going forward we will be able to offer a diploma from one of the best universities in the country,” said GMIC founder Grant Fraser. “It's also the only university in Canada, maybe in North America offering a diploma in Golf & Resort Management and that's also really cool about this.” Students will be able to take online courses in golf club governance, finance, strategic management, marketing, human resources, turf management, golf course design, and entrepreneurship. The Spectator

Arctic research labs prepare to shut down as CCAR expires

Dalhousie University's James Drummond, principal investigator at the Polar Environment Atmospheric Research Laboratory (PEARL), is reportedly preparing to mothball the facility as the expiration date for the Climate Change and Atmospheric Research program draws near. Of the seven projects that received CCAR money, six will stop being funded in March 2018 and funding for the seventh will expire in March 2019. “We continue to focus on our existing suite of programs, many of which support climate science research,” said Lucy Lai, public affairs officer for the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. Lai stated that she is unaware of any plans to renew the CCAR program. CBC

Most talented students "don’t work as hard as other learners"

A new study revealed that talented students report that they do not try as hard and study for fewer hours than their peers. The study of over 4,400 German undergraduate first-years has reportedly raised new questions about how talented students can be spurred to maximize their potential. The researchers suggest that potential explanations for the reduced effort could include discouragement from grade inflation, boredom with tasks that require rote memorization instead of true learning, and a preference for saving time and energy for extracurricular and resume-building activities.

Times Higher Education

Crandall partnership with public school district draws complaint

A partnership between Anglophone School District South and Crandall University, a private university in New Brunswick, that saw staff directed to complete a Masters of Education at Crandall has drawn criticism from the community. A complaint from a parent of a student enrolled in a school under ASDS takes issue with Crandall’s employment policy, which allegedly does not recognize same-sex marriage. “To partner, in any matter, with an institution like Crandall University, that has openly discriminatory practices and views towards the LGBTQ community is offensive and unacceptable,” said Gail Costello, the co-chair of New Brunswick Pride in Education Committee. CBC

Benefits of building an alt-ac career in a small town

Building one’s alternative academic career in a small college town or at a rural university offers benefits in three areas, writes Joshua Kim: impact, social capital, and quality of life. “While it is something of a myth that everyone wants to move to the city to build their careers,” says Kim. “Alternative academics […] just might be smart enough to make an alternative geographic choice.” Kim explains that alternative academics will have more of an opportunity to make an impact in a smaller population, that a small town will allow for a more close-knit community, and that the cost of living in rural areas is typically more affordable in rural areas. Inside Higher Ed

NIC graduates launch alumni association

Alumni of North Island College have reportedly launched a new alumni association to reconnect and create opportunities after graduation. “We chose NIC because we wanted to live, work and play in our communities. A strong alumni association strengthens connections, supports the community and helps future students,” said Sara Baxandall, who launched the alumni association with Kelsey Anglin and NIC’s School of Business Department Chair Bill Parkinson. The association aims to create a platform for networking; professional development; job, project, and community service opportunities; and more. “Everywhere I go I see alumni, who represent NIC very well,” said NIC Acting President Lisa Domae, who added that NIC proudly welcomes the alumni association. Business Examiner | NIC

RSU demands Ryerson change name, remove statue of namesake

Ryerson Students’ Union have made 11 demands of Ryerson University leaders, including changing the school’s name and removing a campus statue of Egerton Ryerson in light of the namesake’s impact on residential schools. “I think it is just necessary for Ryerson to acknowledge the history from within its name and the history with having a statue up like that that represents an individual who had an active role in creating residential schools,” said RSU incoming president Susanne Nyaga. Metro News reports that the RSU board members were not involved in or aware of the list, and that the demands have drawn backlash from students online. “There was a whole page acknowledging [Egerton Ryerson’s] involvement in the residential school system in my graduation program in 2014 so I don’t think saying that Ryerson fails to talk about this is accurate,” wrote one alumni. Globe and Mail | Metro News