Top Ten
September 25, 2018
UCalgary receives $1.5M from BMO for mentorship program and scholarships
BMO has contributed $1.5M to the Haskayne School of Business at the University of Calgary. According to a release, the gift will support the BMO Mentorship Program and MBA scholarships. “Mentorship is incredibly valuable for students. And the program is really just starting to hit its stride,” said Jim Dewald, Dean of the Haskayne School of Business. “Last year we had 135 hand-matched pairs of mentees and mentors. We’re really proud of these numbers and know that because of BMO’s support, we’ll be able to take it to the next level.” UCalgary adds that the gift is part of an ongoing fundraising campaign that aims to raised $1.3B by 2020. UCalgary
UQAM launches research centre for orphan diseases
The Université du Québec à Montréal has received $3M from the Fondation Courtois to create the Centre d'excellence en recherche sur les maladies orphelines – Fondation Courtois (CERMO-FC). The centre will bring together Quebec researchers, mainly from the Université du Québec network, from a variety of areas of expertise. The centre aims to better understand orphan diseases, or diseases that affect such a low percentage of the population that they are low-priority for drug company research and development and often highly expensive to treat. Professor Nicolas Pilon explained that the centre is taking a unique approach by covering the entire continuum of biomedical research for orphan diseases. UQAM | Journal de Montréal
Police charge man for uttering threats involving USask
Saskatoon police have charged a 24-year-old man for uttering threats in connection with online comments that involve the University of Saskatchewan, reports the Saskatoon StarPhoenix. A Facebook post by the man included references to the execution of several unnamed Saudi leaders at the USask campus. A separate post by the man stated that if “the Saudi leaders aren’t on their knees, begging for mercy, in the center of the bowl at University of Saskatchewan … [you] have God’s permission to do almost anything you want until they get here.” The StarPhoenix states that the police and USask Protective Services took the man into custody without incident. Saskatoon StarPhoenix
McGill athletics receives $3.5M to support female athletes, coaches
McGill University has received $3.5M from benefactors Sheryl and David Kerr for the Kerr Family Women in Sport Program. According to a McGill release, the initiative aims to advance the role of women as athletes, coaches, and decision-makers by increasing the overall number of full-time female coaches. "We extend our sincere thanks to Sheryl and David Kerr for their longstanding support of McGill's athletics program and for championing the cause of women in sport in such a meaningful manner," said McGill principal Suzanne Fortier. The release adds that McGill Athletics and Recreation has hired former national team coach Sylvie Béliveau as an advisor to the university’s varsity program. McGill
Lambton opens world-class Centre of Excellence in Energy & Bio-Industrial Technologies
Lambton College has officially opened its Centre of Excellence in Energy & Bio-Industrial Technologies. The newly-renovated centre has benefitted from a $14.2M upgrade, and has been designed to bring together academic programing, industry-standard training, and research labs. “We’ve always provided world-class technology programs,” said Lambton President Judith Morris, “and now our evolving teaching methodologies coupled with industry-supported work integrated learning, and state-of-practice training will further result in the provision of highly qualified personnel for the future of these industries.” Lambton
Student presidents who regularly meet with administrators feel more effective: study
A new study out of the US has found that student presidents who regularly meet with campus administrators feel empowered. The authors of the study surveyed 200 student presidents, asking them if their institutions valued their views, whether they felt prepared for their roles, and if they had the opportunity to speak or vote during Board of Governors sessions. One of the study’s respondents stated that training in areas such as budgetary and strategic planning were particularly important. The authors state that they are uncertain whether their findings apply to students in general. Inside Higher Ed
ULethbridge publicly launches $100M SHINE fundraising campaign
The University of Lethbridge has publicly announced a campaign called SHINE: The Campaign for the University of Lethbridge to raise $100M and increase alumni and community engagement with the institution. “We are challenging ourselves with this campaign but this is what we do here on a daily basis,” said ULethbridge President Mike Mahon. “We challenge our faculty to reach beyond in the classroom and through their research, and we challenge our students to do the same. This campaign is symbolic of a university that is not shy of punching above its weight.” ULethbridge states that the campaign has raised almost $67M through gifts from 9,000 donors. ULethbridge | Lethbridge Herald
Campus Freedom Index authors add to "flunk" list, anticipate benefits of gov't free speech commitment
Seven universities have joined the “Flunk” list in the 2018Campus Freedom Index. The Index’s authors, John Carpay and Michael Kennedy, write that they are nevertheless encouraged by the Ontario government’s new policy to enforce free speech on campus. The authors then state that a hypothetical “Ford University” would fulfill three out of the four criteria listed in the report—a “clear” and “unequivocal” commitment to free speech on campus; a willingness to challenge controversial speech rather than banning it; a clear anti-disruption policy; and clear-cut definitions of “diversity” and “equity” that do not amount to censorship. National Post
Humber partners with community food program to feed students
Humber College has partnered with Feed it Forward, a community food program, to open a pay-what-you-can food bar for students, reports the Toronto Star. The initiative diverts food waste from food terminals, restaurants, and grocery stores. “This is another way of showing how food that’s destined for landfills can be put into nutritious and balanced meals and give it back to people who are living with food insecurities,” said Jagger Gordon, founder of Feed It Forward. The Star states that students have the option of paying what they can, or to eat for free. Toronto Star
Lakeland School of Energy to support Ghana’s oil, gas sector with programming
Lakeland College will share its energy expertise and program training with the Republic of Ghana’s growing oil and gas sector. Lakeland signed Memoranda of Understanding with the Western Region Coastal Foundation (WRCF) and Seaweld Engineering to develop training, academic, and research activities for Ghanaian training and educational facilities. The college will facilitate updates and develop educational programs related to petroleum management and gas process operator programs for the Regional Maritime University of Ghana, according to the MOU with Seaweld. Lakeland
