Top Ten
February 9, 2018
No release on horizon for AB higher ed tuition funding review
A comprehensive review launched by the Alberta Department of Advanced Education in October 2016 that was described as a “top-to-bottom review of everything” has yet to be released. The Edmonton Journal reports that the advisory group was expected to wrap up their deliberations in May 2017, and the report was promised for release in the fall. “We have a number of options to consider and we want to make sure we get our policy right so that we can continue to provide access to higher education in this province so that Albertans can get the training they need to get good jobs,” explained Advanced Education Minister Marlin Schmidt, who was reportedly unable to give a release timeline for the report. Edmonton Journal
Boréal suspends programming in light of declining enrolment, market demand
Collège Boréal has opted to suspend 12 programs across the college’s campuses in light of declining enrolment and rising expenses over the last five years. “Industry is changing as fast as we are, and we have to keep adapting to make sure our students are ready for that job market,” explained Boréal’s Senior VP of Corporate Affairs Danielle Talbot-Larieviere. Talbot-Larieviere added that the cuts will have “minimal impact” on faculty, and that qualified staff will be able to teach in another program as per their collective agreement. CBC | Timmins Press
UoGuelph receives $3.4M for health research
The University of Guelph has received $3.4M for health research projects on topics such as using circadian biology to treat heart attack patients, using cannabis to lessen nausea, and preventing hospital-acquired infections. “We are very thankful for this significant investment made by CIHR,” said UoGuelph Director of the Centre for Cardiovascular Investigations Tami Martino. “It will help us advance many of today’s pressing issues in cardiovascular health and design new treatments for patients with heart disease.” The funding comes from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. UoGuelph
RRC partnership helps computing students gain work experience
Red River College and the Information Technology Association of Canada have established a partnership that will help students in RRC’s Applied Computer Education department gain a head start on their careers. The agreement will see eligible companies receive a wage subsidy for students’ work placements, enabling students to gain valuable hands-on experience. “The ITAC partnership will open doors for Red River College learners, and help employers secure the talent they need to compete in the digital economy,” said RRC ACE chair Haider Al-Saidi. RRC
INRS receives $1.6M to train experts in water decontamination
Rising threats to water quality have prompted the Institut national de la recherche scientifique to launch a multidisciplinary training program focused on environmental technologies for decontamination. A Université de Québec release notes that the program has received a $1.6M grant to support its work. INRS General Manager Luc-Alain Giraldeau adds that the initiative demonstrates INRS's leadership and its ability to mobilize academic and industrial partners around a training program that focuses on sustainable development. UQuébec
UPEI provides degree pathway for Holland Sport and Leisure Management grads
The University of Prince Edward Island and Holland College have formalized a degree pathway for graduates of the Holland College Sport and Leisure Management program. A UPEI release states that students will study two years at Holland and two years at UPEI to earn a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology. “This is an exciting new way for the province’s post-secondary schools to provide a unique learning experience,” said UPEI President Alaa Abd-El-Aziz. “Providing a Kinesiology degree pathway for Sport and Leisure Management graduates allows them to expand their career options in exciting directions, including teaching and research. It’s a perfect partnership with limitless opportunities for students.” UPEI
ON improving apprenticeship system to prepare skilled workforce for in-demand jobs
Ontario has announced new improvements to its apprenticeship system in order to better meet the needs of future professionals and a changing economy. An ON release reports that the improvements aim to develop a system that provides end-to-end supports for apprentices and employers while responding to the needs of a changing economy and workforce. The new improvement include better incentives for employers to train and retain apprentices, increased promotion of apprenticeship as a valuable postsecondary pathway, and digital enhancements to the apprenticeship system. ON
MSVU researcher receives $860K to study, improve home care client experiences
Janice Keefe of Mount Saint Vincent University is leading a team from Nova Scotia and Manitoba that was recently awarded more than $860K to research the experiences of older adult home care clients with chronic and long-term conditions. An MSVU release states that the four-year project will strive to to better understand how policy, practice, and decision-making shape a client’s journey through the home care system. “Our project will make a significant contribution to knowledge to improve the system,” said Keefe, “and by involving partners who deliver services and shape policy, we will reach those who need this evidence to enhance services for the client and their caregiver.” MSVU
NS students issue recommendations for 2018 provincial budget
StudentsNS has issued a series of recommendations for the 2018 Nova Scotia budget that the organization believes will help students pursue their career of choice and live in their preferred community. The recommendations include a call for the province to re-invest its existing tuition and education tax credits into up-front grants, as well as introduce loan forgiveness for students of Nova Scotia Community College. Further, the document asks the government to follow the examples of other provinces by creating an open education resource project that will drive down the cost of educational materials for students. StudentsNS
Lethbridge College receives more than $1M from community-minded donors
Lethbridge College recently hosted its “Take a Bow” event to recognize over $1M in community donations that will support student awards at the school. “That number would absolutely not be possible without the generous philanthropic spirit that we see in action every day here in southern Alberta,” says college President Paula Burns. “Every individual or business that chooses to give to the college and to support our students has a different and personal reason for doing so, but the result is the same — helping to improve the student experience. We are incredibly grateful for that support.” Lethbridge College
