Top Ten

QC universities call on provincial government to share $3B surplus

Universities in Quebec are calling on the provincial government to increase their budget and fulfill their past commitments in light of a $3B surplus inherited from the previous government. Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières Rector Daniel McMahon stated that he suspects that the government will increase the budgets of higher education institutions, given that the CAQ spoke of the important role played by institutions in economic development, research, and innovation. McGill University Prinicipal Suzanne Fortier added that QC universities are still facing a significant gap in the operation funds they receive in comparison to the Canadian average.

Journal de Montréal

New US report assigns underemployment risk indicators to different university majors

A new report produced by Burning Glass Technologies has evaluated a slate of university majors according to the risk of underemployment facing the graduates of these programs. The report defines underemployment as employment that does not require the level of post-secondary education attained by the person holding that job. Engineering and Computer Sciences led the pack as having the lowest risk for underemployment and highest earnings. The report notes, however, that there is significant variability for graduates of each major, with the top 25% of humanities majors making more than the bottom 25% of graduates in architecture and engineering. The report also recommends that a greater focus on skills development can play a significant role in mitigating the threat of underemployment. While no such general report exists for the Canadian context, Burning Glass has partnered with Academica Group to perform program and majors-based research at the regional level with a growing group of Canadian institutions.

Burning Glass (PDF)

MB announces new pathways for international students

The Government of Manitoba has announced two new pathways for international students under the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program. Education and Training Minister Kelvin Goertzen announced that the International Student Entrepreneur Pathway and Graduate Internship Pathway will support entrepreneurial initiatives by international undergraduate and graduate students. “By providing students a fast track to nomination for permanent residency, we hope to attract and retain more talented innovators and entrepreneurs from all over the world,” said Goertzen. A provincial release states that the International Student Entrepreneur Pathway will help students who wish to start a business in Manitoba, while the Graduate Internship Pathway will feature internships supported by Mitacs. MB

Cumberland, Parkland share president, Board of Governors

Parkland College and Cumberland College have announced a partnership that will see the two college share a President/CEO and a single Board of Governors. The Task Force on Regional College Efficiency advised the two colleges to establish a coalition, and a process to seek board and government approval is now underway. “Both Parkland College and Cumberland College are without a permanent CEO at this time,” said Cumberland Board Chair Corinna Stevenson. “The two colleges are taking a shared leadership role in developing a future path for the regional college system in Saskatchewan.” Parkland Board Chair Raymond Sass explained that the college’s main priority during the transition process is to maintain its local presence and provide high quality education for adults in the region. Education News Canada

UoGuelph scientists participate in $2.13M project focused on data sharing in northern, remote areas

The University of Guelph’s scientists are participating in a cross-Canada research project that aims to bring better communications, information-sharing, and health and environmental monitoring to northern and remote communities. The UoGuelph School of Computer Sciences has received a $2.13M grant from Mitacs and technology start-up Left to enable the university and Left to further develop the company’s mobile mesh networking technology. “Improved connectivity in the North will help communities collect and share the data that is important to them and connect in ways they never could have before,” said Professor Dan Gillis. “This includes collecting and sharing data necessary for responding, managing and adapting to the impacts of climate change.” UoGuelph

White supremacist messages appear at UManitoba, numerous US campuses

CBC has learned that sheets of paper adorned with the phrase “It’s okay to be white” appeared at the University of Manitoba last week. The Women’s and Gender Studies program also received faxes with the same message. Additionally, security footage captured a costumed individual scribbling derogatory messages about Islam on several walls. UManitoba has condemned the actions, and President David Barnard stated that the posters are part of a "a co-ordinated international effort by neo-Nazi and white supremacist groups." According to Inside Higher Ed, the posters have also appeared at nine American campuses over the last week-and-a-half. CBC | Inside Higher Ed

SJU to sell sustainable food as part of national initiative

St Jerome’s University has committed to selling sustainable food to students, reports CBC. The decision is part of a campaign called the Good Food Challenge, which was spearheaded by Meal Exchange, a national charity. The campaign calls on universities and colleges to provide “ecologically-sound, socially-just, community-based and humane food.” Anita Abraham, the Executive Director of Meal Exchange, told CBC that "Good Food is becoming a priority for students and campus administrators, so it's important to define exactly what that means. These standards are groundbreaking because, for the first time, they create a single, decisive, and comprehensive standard for Good Food on Canadian campuses." CBC

Olds receives gift for innovation lab, smart farm

Olds College has received $500K from United Farmers of Alberta to support its proposed UFA Innovation Lab. An Olds release states that the Lab will act as a dedicated technological hub for students and faculty. “The UFA Innovation Lab and the Olds College Smart Farm create an open environment for collaboration and research among industry and other post-secondary institutions to work together to advance the agriculture industry,” said Olds President Stuart Cullum. In addition to the Lab, the donation will support the college's Smart Farm, which will enable students to develop, integrate and test new agriculture technology and practices. Olds | Western Producer

Confederation, NATT launch AZ Truck Driver MELT program

Confederation College and the Northern Academy of Transportation Driving have partnered on the launch of the AZ Truck Driver MELT (Mandatory Entry Level Training) program. The program was developed in response to the growing need for qualified drivers across the region and Canada. “The program will serve to fill a gap in our region, while providing graduates with an important career opportunity,” said Confederation Manager, Training Initiative, Workforce Development Jason Ozbolt. “We’ll not only be able to deliver the program in Thunder Bay, but also bring it to our regional campuses and communities.” Confederation

UNB launches educational resource on Maritime Indigenous peoples

The Mi'kmaq-Wolastoqey Centre at the University of New Brunswick has launched an online resource that provides access to Wabanaki history, reports CBC. Centre Director David Perley told CBC that the initiative was prompted by requests dating as far back as the 1990s for historical resources on the Wabanaki, but that there virtually no references to be found. "And especially not any resource that was written by or produced by Wabanaki people — the Wolostoqiyik, the Mi'kmaq, the Passamaquoddy and the Abenakis,” he added. According to CBC, the collection includes treaties from the 18th century, several productions from the National Film Board, language learning apps, and interactive maps that feature Wabanaki legends. CBC