Top Ten
September 14, 2017
Canada’s most popular PSE programs don’t have the best job potential: OECD study
The most popular PSE programs in Canada are business, administration, and law, but it is engineering and information technology that have the greatest employment potential, according to a new OECD report. The report analysed trends in more than 30 developed nations and found that within Canada, roughly 29% of PSE students are taking business and law, while about 11% are taking engineering, manufacturing, and construction. “(Post-secondary) enrolment is expanding rapidly, with very strong returns for individuals and taxpayers, but new evidence shows that universities can fail to offer, and individuals fail to pursue, the fields of study that promise the greatest labour-market opportunities,” said the OECD in a written release. Guelph Mercury
Canada must be wary of being left behind in international PSE rankings: U of T president
Canada’s research universities are “holding their own” in university world rankings, “but they better be looking over their shoulder,” says University of Toronto President Meric Gertler. In an interview with the Toronto Star, Gertler says that he is concerned about the swift rise of countries like China, Switzerland, and Singapore in this year’s Times Higher Education top-200 list, as these countries have invested aggressively in scientific infrastructure and researchers in recent years. During that same time, Canada has moved in the opposite direction in both research funding and the number of universities featured in the top 200, which fell from eight to six this year. The Toronto Star notes that funding for basic research has shrunk by about 35% over the past decade, during which time the country’s performance in terms of scientific awards, publications, and citations “has stalled relative to our peers.” Toronto Star
NSCC instructors leave over alleged lack of compensation for class preparation time
Some former instructors at the Nova Scotia Community College say that they will not return to teach at the school this year because the school does not fairly compensate them for hours spent preparing for courses. “Teachers will be overwhelmed with the commitment to teach this year. I think they'll find it difficult to make decisions whether or not they work for free,” says Krista Keough, who has taught courses in NSCC's music business program for six years. Yet Janet Byrne, director of human resources at Nova Scotia Community College, says that the school has traditionally factored class preparation time into its hourly wage. Byrne adds that the college will be making renewed efforts to ensure that this wage policy is applied across the college’s 13 campuses. CBC
Number of US colleges meeting enrolment target keeps dropping
The number of US colleges meeting their enrolment targets is dropping, according to a new survey of American college and university admissions directors. The survey found that only 34% of schools said that they had met enrolment targets this year, a number that is down from 37% a year ago and 42% two years ago. Some of the drop was attributed to a decline in international student enrolments, with some schools reporting a 20% to 50% drop in this number since last year. Many respondents said that the election of Donald Trump had impacted their enrolments as well, with 86% either agreeing or strongly agreeing that “the statements and policies of President Trump make it more difficult to recruit international students.” Inside Higher Education
Students take part in groundbreaking reconciliation studies program at Haida Gwaii
Students from universities across the country have begun a semester in Reconciliation Studies offered on Haida Gwaii by the Haida Gwaii Higher Education Society. The program, which has been accredited by the University of British Columbia, is reportedly the first of its kind in Canada. The course is taught in Masset and Old Massett, with students living in hostels, rented houses or cabins, or homestays. “Currently, [reconciliation] is the best term to use right now for what we're imagining for this program,” HGHES Executive Director Carlos Ormond said. “But as a community […] we all realize that there might be a better term for what it is that we're doing, then we're open to that.” Globe and Mail
UQAM introduces internationally-focused communications programs
Université du Québec à Montréal has introduced two new undergraduate programs in international communications programs, which UQAM states are the only ones available in the province at this time. The first program is a concentration for students already enrolled in a baccalaureate, while the second program is a 15-credit, part-time program designed for those wishing to improve their skills. The programs seek to give students from different disciplinary backgrounds the opportunity to learn about the challenges of international communications. Students will be able to pursue courses in four different areas: Management, sociology, politics, and/or culture. UQAM
SNP, Canadore form new strategic education and training alliance
Canadore College and Six Nations Polytechnic have entered into a formalized agreement that commits the schools to a number of educational initiatives. These opportunities include the creation of accelerated transfer pathways, development of community capacity, and delivery of education and training programs. In addition, the agreement will see the schools share Indigenous knowledge in a way that is consistent with First Nations Principles of Ownership, Control, Access and Possession and community protocols. Canadore and SNP will immediately begin planning for programs and program delivery, with key areas focusing on health and wellness, media, and trades and technology. Canadore
BVC becomes first AB college to receive accreditation for HR diploma program
Bow Valley College has announced that Chiu School of Business’ two-year diploma in Human Resources was recently accredited by Chartered Professionals in Human Resources) Alberta. BVC is reportedly the first college in AB to receive this distinction, which was awarded following a comprehensive audit that determined that BVC covered the nine major HR competencies throughout the two-year program. “The CPHR accreditation is an acknowledgement that the Chiu School of Business is providing a business education that is preparing students for the future challenges facing business and industry,” says David Allwright, Dean of the Chiu School of Business. “We are very pleased that we have been recognized by the CPHR Alberta as the first college in Alberta to meet their rigorous standards.” BVC
Lakehead opens International Centre
Lakehead University has officially opened its new International Centre to offer international students a new place to access the services and programs that will help them succeed. The university reports that the new space features a modern design, state-of-the-art technology, and a student-focused environment. The centre is now home to Lakehead International staff, as well as the University’s English Language Centre, International Student Services, and the Study Abroad team. “As we watched our international student population grow from 100 to over 1,000 over the past seven years, we also experienced a growing diversity of our campus which has only enriched our University and our communities in numerous ways,” says Lakehead President Brian Stevenson. “With that increasing diversity came the need for more varied and centralized services and that is the role of this new Centre.” Lakehead | CBC
UofGH bolsters PSE accessibility with two new fully online degree programs
University of Guelph-Humber has launched two fully online degree completion programs as part of its ongoing efforts to provide more accessible educational pathways and learning opportunities for working professionals. UofGH’s two existing honours bachelor of applied science programs, Early Childhood Studies and Family and Community Social Services, are now available fully online, complementing existing hybrid and in classroom formats. A UofGH release notes that eligible students can use previous postsecondary education as a foundation for their honours degree to support career advancement and further education in their field in as little as two and a half years. UofGH
