Top Ten
January 23, 2018
UQAM reports successful increase in PhD enrolment after reducing international fees
After introducing a scholarship in 2016 enabling international PhD students to pay the same tuition and fees for their program as PhD students from Quebec, the Universitè du Quebec a Montréal has seen a marked growth in enrolment. In particular, UQAM’s Faculties of Arts, Communication, Political Science and Law, and Management Sciences have seen the greatest growth. The reduced fees began in UQAM’s Faculty of Science as an enrolment-boosting initiative, according to UQAM adjoint au vice-recteur à la Vie académique Antoine Goutier. Goutier explained that for the program to reach its full potential, professors would need to be more aware of the scholarship and able to discuss it with potential recruits at conferences and events abroad. UQAM
McMaster receives $13.4M for research facilities equipment
McMaster University will be receiving over $13.4 M from the Government of Ontario’s Ontario Research Fund to build and equip research facilities for large-scale, collaborative projects. “It's super exciting. These groups are already doing amazing science and the goal here is really to take it to the next level,” said Eric Brown, lead investigator of the largest of the four McMaster projects that is receiving the funding. The Spectator reports that the funds will go towards over $44.1M in new infrastructure needed by researchers at the institution to develop products such as medical treatments. The Spectator
Atlantic provinces developing framework to support student mental health
The Council of Atlantic Ministers of Education and Training announced last Thursday that it plans to develop a mental health framework that will help students in public and postsecondary schools improve their mental health. The framework, which is slated to be completed by the fall, will be designed to allow the provinces to learn from each other and to create province-specific initiatives. “What we’re going to do is have our staff within our respective departments work with each other to formulate the goals and an action plan and move all of our departments and all of our provinces forward,” said Nova Scotia Labour and Advanced Education Minister Labi Kousoulis.
To remain relevant, MBA programs must innovate
For MBA programs that wish to stay relevant, “innovation is likely to be a necessity, because sticking with the past cold mean missing out on tomorrow’s MBA,” according to a new report on business education. Noting a number of changes in the MBA market, the Globe and Mail highlights the efforts of MBA schools across Canada to respond to the pressures for new offerings, and opportunities. “It's the Cub Scout message of, ‘Be prepared,’” said report author Andrew Crisp. “The world is not going to stand still and you need to have some options available to insure you have an MBA that will prosper in the future.” Globe and Mail
Sheridan’s request for university status delayed by polytechnic application
Sheridan College’s goal of becoming a polytechnic has significantly delayed its application to obtain university status, reports Mississauga.com. The article explains that the college officially created a plan last May to be first recognized as a polytechnic, which Sheridan President Mary Preece explained would enable the college to maintain its history of applied research and experiential learning. “Historically, students graduating from colleges with degrees have difficulty getting recognized,” Preece said. “Our goal is to retain our strength and history and build on that to become what we need to be so that our students get the recognition for the kind of institution that they graduate from.” Mississauga.com
Sexual harassment in theatre industry the subject of recent UWindsor public forum
The University of Windsor's School of Dramatic Arts hosted a public forum last Friday to discuss sexual harassment in the theatre industry. The forum was part of the school’s ongoing effort to address the issue, particularly for students who are considering a career in the theatre industry. “For some of our students we are hearing anxiety, fear about what this means for their careers in the theatre,” said UWindsor professor Michelle MacArthur. MacArthur added that while she is concerned for her students as they prepare to face the realities of the theatre industry, she is hopeful that a new generation of students might bring change. “This is a generation that is really socially engaged and I want to think that they are going to be part of this change in the theatre industry.” CBC
BC sees 20% jump in PSE participation from ex-foster kids since waiving of tuition fees
The number of ex-foster kids participating in BC colleges and universities has jumped 20% since the provincial government waived tuition fees last fall. The Times Colonist reports that a total of 229 ex-foster kids received tuition waivers from September to December compared to 189 for the entire 2016-17 school year. BC has reportedly spent $443K on the program to date to cover tuition and mandatory fees at 17 postsecondary schools. Advanced Education Minister Melanie Mark said that she is very excited by the results, adding that “when we created the policy, they said: ‘What’s going to be the measure of success? What’s success going to look like?’ And I said: ‘One. If one more student goes to post-secondary, that’s a victory.’” Times Colonist
GPRC, GYPSD partner on pre-employment welding certificate program
Grande Prairie Regional College and Grande Yellowhead Public School Division have partnered to offer a Pre-Employment Welding certificate at Parkland Composite High School in Edson, Alberta. GPRC will offer the certificate program at PCHS to anyone in the community interested in pursing a career as a welder. The program will also be offered as a dual credit program, which will allow high school students to earn credits towards their graduation requirements as well as credits towards a postsecondary welding ticket. “It is partnerships such as this one that makes it possible for the College to increase its program offerings in the region to meet the community and industry need close to home for students,” said GPRC President and CEO Don Gnatiuk. GPRC
NIC opens Thunderbird Campus in Port Hardy
North Island College has formally opened its new $1.4M Thunderbird Campus in Port Hardy. By virtue of its location in the region’s main transportation, service, and shopping areas, the new campus is more accessible to students and community members. “Throughout my time at NIC, I've heard from many community members how important advanced education and training is to the local community,” said NIC President John Bowman. “It is critical to the health, social well-being and economic development of the North Island.” The new campus includes an open study area, a computer lab, offices, assessment areas, and a student lounge featuring wooden beams and cedar siding to emulate the Kwakwaka'wakw artistic traditions.4-Traders | North Island Gazette
Using technology to improve accelerated degrees could have spillover benefits for traditional degrees
While they can help students save on costs and enter the labour market faster, accelerated degrees come with distinct challenges. Finding solutions for these challenges through digital technologies and pedagogical techniques, writes Joel Mullan, could result in “spillover benefits for traditional provision.” In particular, Mullan looks at how other institutions have successfully used blended course offerings as a cost-saving measure, and capitalized on global study opportunities and collaborative group projects to reduce the workload of local faculty during the summer. “As a sector, we have the knowledge to make this venture into two-year degrees a success,” concludes Mullan. “Whatever the outcomes, we shouldn’t shy away from the opportunity to let technology play a leading role in bridging the gaps.”
