Top Ten
August 28, 2017
Algonquin Students’ Association invests $1M in Indigenous art and design
The Algonquin College Students’ Association has announced a $1M investment for Indigenous artifacts and architecture at the new IELC building and institute for Indigenous entrepreneurship at Algonquin. The Association’s board of directors says that it approved the investment “to ensure Indigenous architecture, arts and cultural artifacts” will be a “permanent part” of the new building. That investment includes new design elements in the building’s courtyard, which Association President Victoria Ventura says can become a home to everything from pow wows to ceremonial drumming events. “We believe that this contribution will create a more inclusive community, wherein Indigenous learners and community members will literally see themselves reflected in a positive way,” said Ventura. Algonquin
Canada, QC invest over $2M to support research, innovation at Cégep de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue
The Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec are investing over $2M to support research and innovation by improving air quality at Cégep de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue. This investment comes in addition to roughly $998K previously announced at the institution in May 2017. L’Abitibi-Témiscamingue will use the funding to improve the air quality throughout its facilities, which will make it easier to conduct science experiments and introduce innovative projects while reducing the use of resources such as potable water and electricity. “Equipped with cutting-edge technology, the new science labs give students at the Amos campus access to high-quality infrastructure, enabling them to undertake science experiments that match their ambitions,” said the cégep's directeur général, Sylvain Blais. Canada
Consider using “Rule of Tens” to determine PSE borrowing, program choice: Globe contributor
While it is important for students to pursue an education in something they are passionate about, they must also understand what kind of financial return they should expect to get on their investment, writes Tim Cestnick for the Globe and Mail. This is the case especially if a student is borrowing, the author adds before providing a formula for how students might think about choosing a program. Cestnick calls this formula the Rule of Tens, adding that “for every $10,000 in student loans, you should be able to earn about $10,000 annually over a base of $10,000, when you graduate, in order to repay those loans in 10 years.” Globe and Mail
Critical thinking, writing should be explicitly taught over long periods: HEQCO study
Students fare better in developing critical thinking and written communication skills when they are explicitly taught in class, according to a new study by the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario. The study examined the effectiveness of a new skills-assessment tool pioneered at Humber College, and found that while students overall did not make significant gains in critical thinking and written communication during the course of the study, those enrolled in courses where these skills were explicitly taught had higher levels of achievement than those in courses where they were implicitly taught. The study’s authors also note that the skills need to be “taught consistently and over a longer period of time to see significant gains and these types of courses should be positioned strategically throughout each program of study.” HEQCO
Drawing the line between editing a student’s work and cheating
At what point is it considered cheating for someone to help a student with editing an academic paper? That is the question that has been asked in various corners of the University of Victoria, writes Jessica Natalie Woollard. Students at the school have reportedly complained about the services at the school’s writing centre because they expected staff to “fix up” their papers. Sara Beam, an associate professor in the faculty of history at UVic and chair of the senate committee on academic standards, says that these conversations have spurred the university to take action and to set clear academic guidelines on how another person is allowed to support a student’s writing process. The author goes on to explore how UVic created a policy that explicitly restricts students’ use of editors for their papers. University Affairs
Fredericton Chamber of Commerce introduces resolution to attract, retain international students
The Chamber of Commerce in Fredericton, New Brunswick is calling on the federal government to make it easier for communities to attract and retain international postsecondary students. Chamber CEO Krista Ross tells Global News that the Chamber is putting forward a resolution that could make it easier for students from other countries to get employment during their PSE and after graduation. The resolution contains six recommendations, which ask for international students to qualify for the Canada Summer Jobs program and recommends that the federal government extend the amount of time graduates have to find a job in the country. Global News
GBC launches five new programs
George Brown College has announced that it is launching five new programs in September 2017. GBC’s School of Fashion Studies will now offer one-year graduate certificates in Apparel Technical Design and in Sustainable Fashion Production. The School of Media and Performing Arts will offer a one-year graduate certificate in Sound Design and a two-year diploma in Video Design and Production. Finally, the college will also offer a new four-year Honours Bachelor of Commerce (Culinary Management) degree program, which will be offered through the Centre for Hospitality and Culinary Arts. GBC
UNBC NWP offers Mini Med School
The University of Northern British Columbia’s Northern Medical Program will be offering Mini Med School this fall, a program that seeks to give the general public a glimpse of the medical world. The six-session program will begin on October 11 and “end with a mini-grad” on November 15th. The program is open to the public, and will offer them the experience of a student in the Northern Medical Program. “Our Mini Med School will give people a sneak peek into how medicine works,” explained NMP Mini Med School organizer Malgorzata Kaminska. “They will get a chance to learn about basic sciences, research, the patient experience and much more. If you have ever wanted to get a taste of medical school, without the long hours and ten-plus years of commitment, this is your chance.” Prince George Citizen | My Prince George Now
USherbrooke considers leasing health campus residences to contractor
The student residences on Université de Sherbrooke’s health campus are in need of “major renovations” according to Vice-rectrice à l’administration et au développement durable Denyse Rémillard, and La Presse reports that USherbrooke may opt to lease the buildings to a contractor. The article reports that the residences were built in 1971 and require repairs and updates to parts of their structure such as windows and bathrooms. Bishop’s University has also reportedly decided to divest itself of a building that it purchased in 2003 to serve as a satellite campus. The building required major renovations to avoid degradation, and Bishop’s reportedly opted to put it up for sale instead of paying for the renovations out of the institution’s operating budget. La Presse
GPRC, RRU offer new degree pathways
Grande Prairie Regional College and Royal Roads University have partnered to offer new degree pathways to students in Northwestern Alberta. A GPRC release states that students of the college now have the opportunity to start a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science, Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management, and Bachelor of Science in Environmental Practice or Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Practice in Grande Prairie and complete it at RRU. “We pride ourselves on our collaborations with other post-secondary institutions and providing students in our region the options they want to achieve their career goals. This new transfer agreement is another example of how the college responds to the needs of the community and industry by building these vital partnerships,” says GPRC President Don Gnatiuk. GPRC
