Top Ten
October 4, 2017
New guide offers best practices in PSE career services
Canadian PSE institutions have a new career services resource that profiles the best practices of 15 top institutions. Released by the Canadian Education and Research Institute for Counselling, the reference guide highlights some of the most impressive models of PSE career services across the country and draws insights from interviews with high-performing career services staff. The dominant theme in the interviews was the importance of establishing relationships with campus stakeholders. The guide also covers topics such as aligning career services with the institutional strategic plan; co-locating with other services on campus; being responsive to stakeholder needs, namely those of students and faculty; and being proactive in the delivery of career services by reaching students “on their turf.” CERIC
Alt-right uses free speech movement to garner support on university campuses: Pang
The alt-right has made significant inroads into Canadian universities by positioning itself as a free speech movement, writes William Pang. This movement’s main tactic, the author writes, is to schedule a controversial conservative speaker to appear on campus, then wait for protesters to disrupt the event into order to secure public sympathy by positioning the event as a free speech flashpoint. Pang argues that these groups are “intentionally blurring the lines between free speech and hate speech” by hosting speakers who promote Islamophobia and other forms of hate without providing a counterbalance. The Walrus
YorkU’s Schulich School of Business, Deloitte partner to create business analytics lab
The Schulich School of Business at York University and Deloitte have announced their plans to create a laboratory to foster advances in the visualization and interpretation of big data. The Deloitte Cognitive Analytics and Visualization Lab will be supported by the Deloitte Data Scientist position, which was made possible by an investment from Deloitte. “Ever since Schulich became the first business school in Canada to offer a management degree in business analytics, our school has been a global leader in analytics research and education,” said Schulich Dean Dezsö Horváth. “Establishing the state-of-the-art Deloitte Cognitive Analytics and Visualization Lab at Schulich will enable both of our organizations to continue providing world-class expertise in business analytics.” YorkU
Ryerson, Facebook partner on launch of digital news incubator
Facebook and Ryerson University’s School of Journalism are partnering on the launch of a digital news incubator. The program will aim to support early-stage journalism business and offset the rise of ‘fake news.’ Facebook will work with Ryerson to provide students with funding and mentorship. “The discussion has been about new ways of distributing journalism, new ways of connecting with audiences and so on,” said Carles Falzon, Ryerson Dean of the Faculty of Communications and Design. “But at the same time, the fundamental questions of journalistic method, of truth, of the integrity and professionalism of journalism are also foundational.” Metro | Global University Venturing
Online professors need to be on campus to shape policy: Moon
“While I see a lot of logic and value in telecommuting, I want to make a case for having online educators, in particular, physically present on campuses,” writes Penelope Adams Moon. The author notes that online educators are often part of a school’s contingent faculty, and that having these professionals telecommute from off-campus is yet one more way that programs and departments can marginalize not only online education, but the part-time faculty who provide this education. “If we hope to build an educational environment that truly values online spaces and online learners—not to mention non-tenure-track faculty members—we need to make ourselves impossible to ignore,” the author concludes. Inside Higher Ed
Olds launches unique certificate program on equine reproduction
Olds College has announced that it will be launching a new equine reproduction certificate program in Fall 2018, which the college says is the first of its kind in Canada. “This program will allow anyone who wants to own, operate, or work in a breeding or foaling facility to gain the skills and experience necessary to be successful,” explained Olds Instructor Marion Anderson. The program is offered as an eight-month blended learning certificate program where students learn about topics such as anatomy and physiology, breeding management, caring for periparturient mares, and caring for neonatal foals. Olds
Jane Goodall, UWinnipeg sign MOU on conservation, sustainability, social justice
Jane Goodall and the University of Winnipeg have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on education programs related to conservation, sustainability, and social justice. These efforts include the co-ordination of visiting speakers, seminars, conferences, and workshops; research collaborations; and the development of student opportunities such as internships. The Jane Goodall Institute of Canada will also hold office space on-campus. “This partnership will enable us to collaborate in meaningful educational and research initiatives in pursuit of a sustainable future for our planet,” said UWinnipeg Professor and JGIC Board of Directors Chair Carlos Colorado. UWinnipeg
UAlberta invests $4.9M to improve Botanical Garden entrance and parking lot
The University of Alberta is reportedly improving the entrance to its Botanical Gardens as part of a $4.9M project. “As someone once said, your curb appeal is that of a minimum security prison,” said garden director Lee Foote. “We’ve had this rather archaic and frankly, slightly dangerous, parking lot for the last 35 years.” The funds will reportedly go towards improving the parking lot, various aspects of the infrastructure, and the the replacement of a log cabin used to greet visitors with a “state of the art ecological learning centre entry way.” The Edmonton Journal states that the funding is separate from that provided by the Aga Khan earlier this year. Edmonton Journal
CBU announces first Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Legacy Room
Cape Breton University has announced that it will build its first Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Legacy Room in its university library. “We are humbled to be a part of a project that is so deeply impactful for the community,” said CBU President Dale Keefe. “Cape Breton University values the relationship with First Nation communities immensely and we are committed to doing what we can to play a role in reconciliation.” CBU has committed $5K a year for the next five years to the room, and will use it to display items from residential schools. “I want to congratulate the University for creating safe places for dialog, to learn about reconciliation, history, our present, and our future,” said Chief Morley Googoo, Assembly of First Nations Regional Chief and Board Member of the Downie Wenjack Fund. CBU | Cape Breton Post
UMontréal partners with Canadian Armed Forces to create courses for military members
Université de Montréal has signed an MOU with the Canadian Armed Forces to create new courses of study designed for regular and reserve members, including a course that will lead to a certificate in military leadership. The university's Faculty of Continuing Education has developed these training courses in response to the needs expressed by members of the Forces. “This agreement reflects the importance the Canadian Armed Forces places on the continuing education of its members and we are pleased to have been selected to support this ambition with quality programs designed specifically for them at the Faculty of Continuing Education,” said UMontréal Rector Guy Breton. UMontréal
