Top Ten
October 25, 2018
ON scraps three planned campuses in the GTA
The Government of Ontario has announced that it is cancelling funding for three planned satellite campuses in the GTA region. The affected campuses include a Brampton campus operated by Ryerson University and Sheridan College, a Milton campus for Wilfrid Laurier University and Conestoga College, and a Markham campus for York University and Seneca College. WLU stated that it is “deeply disappointed” with the announcement, a sentiment that was echoed by both newly elected Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown and Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti. The government attributed the decision to budget troubles. The Star
BC announces subsidized international student health care
The Government of British Columbia is preparing to fully subsidize public health care for international students. Graeme Wood of Glacier Media writes that the subsidy poses a potential annual cost of $100M. BCCFS Chairperson Aran Armutlu told Wood that international students deserve the same concessions as domestic students who enjoy free health care, adding that international student fees in BC are, on average, four times higher than domestic fees. The decision will see BC join Saskatchewan and New Brunswick as one of the few provinces and territories to extend public health care insurance coverage to international students who have resided there for less than a year, reports Wood. Alberta, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Nunavut offer public healthcare coverage after residing for 12 months, while the remaining provinces and territories do not offer coverage to international students. Prince George Citizen (Glacier Media)
College considers extending family medicine residencies
In light of increasingly complex cases and a shift towards competency-based medical education, the College of Family Physicians of Canada is considering extending the length of family medicine residencies. Canadian medical school graduates must currently complete a two-year residency following graduation to become family doctors, and the college is looking to determine whether that should be extended by a year. Doctors Nova Scotia President Tim Holland noted that an extended residency is not the only way to help ensure that medical students are prepared: “There might be other avenues, such as better mentoring opportunities, or ongoing continuing medical education that might also help address that problem.” CBC
UAlberta receives $7M to become international leader in lymphatic disorder research
The University of Alberta is poised to become a world leader in the study of lymphatic disorders after its Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry received $7M in gifts from the Dianne and Irving Kipnes Foundation and the University Hospital Foundation. The funds will be used to establish a new chair in lymphatic disorders. UAlberta notes that the donation was inspired in part by foundation co-namesake Dianne Kipnes, whose own struggles with lymphatic disorder gave her a new appreciation for the need to better understand and treat this type of condition. UAlberta
Southeast College introduces new business diploma program
Southeast College has introduced a new second year diploma program for its Business Management program. The two-year program builds on a one-year certificate program that was launched this year. “We hope and encourage students to take the two-year program,” said Southeast Marketing and Communications Manager Sheena Onrait. “So next year will be a specialty in that management sector of business programming. It’s over-arching management strategies, business strategies, so it really gives an in-depth but also big-picture business management experience for students.” Discover Weyburn
Registrars, enrolment managers need to be involved in IT Security: Schaffhauser
Registrars and enrollment managers make decisions that affect securing data on a daily basis, and so both roles should be a part of the cyber security team, writes Dian Schaffhauser of Campus Technology. Reflecting on the recommendations of a new study, Schaffhauser writes that these individuals should meet with the CIO and chief information security officer to discuss incident response plans, risk management, and training problems; ensure information security is a standing agenda item in staff meetings; and take inventory of data and data access. The report further highlights the key ways that data breaches can occur and the impacts that these can have on an institution and its students. Campus Technology | Report (PDF)
UOttawa prof suspended after alleged inappropriate joke
University of Ottawa Professor Farid Mohammedali Shamji has been temporarily suspended while the university and Ottawa Hospital investigate an allegation of an inappropriate joke. The Ottawa Citizen reports that Shamji will have no direct contact with students and staff until the investigation is complete. “An incident has been brought to our attention and we have begun an investigation,” said the hospital. “While we cannot publicly comment on individual cases, our values do not condone sexist or any other behaviours or actions that make staff, physicians, patients or visitors feel less safe.” Ottawa Citizen
UNB receives $400K to support rehabilitation facilities
Donors Bob and Barbara Pickett have gifted the University of New Brunswick $400K to support the Centre for Adaptive Rehabilitation Engineering. A UNB release states that the donation has leveraged $4.5M from the Government of New Brunswick and the Canada Foundation for Innovation. The funds will go toward new technologies and expansion of existing facilities for neurological rehabilitation. “These innovations will help transform how rehabilitation is delivered in New Brunswick and lower the health-care costs associated with the province’s aging population. We are grateful for Bob and Barbara Pickett’s support for this project,” said UNB President Eddy Campbell. UNB
How to lower the ‘steaks’ of the interview dinner
The job interview dinner is a valuable opportunity for a job candidate and the interviewer to get to know each other better, and Jonathan Malesic provides an overview of the key pitfalls for the interviewing department to avoid in order to ensure the dinner goes smoothly. Malesic encourages departments to be considerate of both the candidate’s dietary needs and the way that restaurant choices reflect the institution and community. The author goes on to provide recommendations on how search committees can make interview dinners less stressful and more of a welcoming experience. Chronicle of Higher Ed
UWinnipeg, People First HR Services partner on certificate program for senior leaders
The University of Winnipeg’s Professional, Applied and Continuing Education (PACE) program has partnered with People First HR Services to launch a new Advanced Human Resources Certificate. A UWinnipeg release states that the certificate is geared toward HR professionals with three-to-five years of experience. “PACE is already highly regarded as the place to begin training for your HR career, now with this new partnership we are ready to support senior level industry professionals looking to expand and enhance their knowledge,” said Executive Director Kim Loeb. “PACE has separated itself from the others and is the go-to place for all things HR.” The program will launch in Spring 2019. UWinnipeg
