Top Ten
November 8, 2018
Canada Tri-Council releases report on how to strengthen science
The Government of Canada has released its summary report on a recent Tri-Council initiative to strengthen science in Canada. The report details the findings of the Canadian Research Coordinating Committee’s consultations with students, scholars, and scientists that focused on three priorities: a new tri-agency fund for international, interdisciplinary, fast-breaking, high-risk research; strengthening equity, diversity and inclusion in Canadian research; and improving support for early career researchers. A release explains that respondents focused on how the Tri-Council should define “diversity” and “research excellence.” Respondents also agreed that the agencies should boost funding for early career researchers, take a researcher’s career stage into account during reviews, and implement improved instruments to track career progression.
UBC receives $10M for medical isotope research
Business in Vancouver reports that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced $10M in funding for the Institute for Advanced Medical Isotopes, a new nuclear hub at UBC’s TRIUMF particle accelerator facility. “The new IAMI will unite world leading experts across industry, academia and government who will now be able to collaborate to create better diagnostic tools and new treatments for cancer and other critical illnesses,” Trudeau stated. BIV adds that the Government of British Columbia will contribute an additional $12.5M to the project, while TRIUMF will kick in $5.35M. UBC and the BC Cancer Agency also plan to raise $2M each.
Durham signs agreements with two German universities
Durham College has signed two agreements with Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU) and Technische Hochschule Nürnberg Georg Simon Ohm (THN) in Germany. Durham reports that the agreements will promote international development while fostering educational, professional, and intercultural activities and projects between students and employees with the three institutions' engineering departments. The three institutions will also collaboratively explore exchange opportunities for students, staff, and faculty; facilitate curriculum exchange for distance learning and training programs; and identify opportunities for conducting applied research in industrial and community development and teaching and learning.
StFX servers back online after cyberhacking attempt
St Francis Xavier University was forced to disable its servers after hackers tried to “create or discover bitcoin for monetary gain,” reports CBC. On-campus users were left without access to email, internet, or the online resource Moodle. "For every strain of malware the cyber-security industry is able to identify, the cybercriminals simply come out with another variance," said RCMP Cpl. Rysanek, "so it's a perpetual cat and mouse game." CBC states that after StFX brought its servers back online, students had to reset their email and Moodle passwords.
Canada invests $1M in engineering and sciences centre at Lakehead
The Government of Canada has invested $1M in Lakehead University’s Centre for Advanced Studies in Engineering and Sciences. A Lakehead release states that the university will put the funds toward equipment and technology to support student-based startups and an incubation space. “Lakehead's success in research and innovation has been steadily growing for years. This funding will make it possible for our talented researchers and students to do their work to the fullest of their abilities in new labs with state-of-the-art equipment,” said Andrew Dean, Lakehead VP of Research and Innovation.
Humber School of Media Studies partners with Canadian Public Relations Society
Humber College's School of Media Studies and the Canadian Public Relations Society have established a new partnership that will benefit students looking to enter the PR industry. The partnership will see beSPEAK CEO Eileen Tobey join Humber as a Senior Fellow in Residence. A release states that the Residence, a year-long pilot program, will give industry leaders the opportunity to share their knowledge and experience with students and faculty. “This joint program gives practitioners a chance to give back to the profession,” explained Humber School of Media Studies Program Coordinator Anne Marie Males. “We are really excited about the possibilities.”
Police make arrest in connection with attempted arson at URegina
Police have arrested and charged 22-year-old Jeffrey Allan Schuett, who tried to start a fire in an auditorium at the University of Regina, reports CBC. According to CBC, the suspect broke into the auditorium, damaged equipment, and started a fire that resulted in more than $10K in damages. Schuett was identified through an investigation by the Regina Police Services university liaison officer and URegina's campus security and arrested on Nov 5. He is facing charges of arson, disregard for human life, and mischief over $5K.
Holland College, PEI discuss Charlottetown Event Grounds property
Holland College is in discussions with Prince Edward Island regarding the ownership of the Charlottetown Event Grounds. The college is reportedly interested in building a multi-sport, artificial turf field on the grounds, adding that the parking lot across from the grounds could be used to solve a parking shortage at the college. “The Event Grounds are underused in their current form,” stated the PEI Department of Economic Development and Tourism. “The proposed changes will provide the maximum benefit to the community without fundamentally changing the use of the property.”
In response to NWT, Yellowknife advocates for hosting polytechnic university
The City of Yellowknife has issued a statement regarding the Government of the Northwest Territories’ response to the Findings and Recommendations of Aurora College, maintaining that the city is “an optimal headquarters location” for the new university. In particular, the city points to its population, amenities, employment and recreational opportunities, and interest from prospective students as good reasons for the university to be located in the Yellowknife. “While the GNWT’s response doesn’t declare a location for a university headquarters,” said Councillor Julian Morse, “the City has a clear vision to support NWT students to a new level of academic achievement here at home.”
Tuition caps pose serious financial implications: Edmonton Journal
The Alberta government’s recent decision to cap tuition fees for domestic students could have serious financial implications for postsecondary institutions across the province, argues the Edmonton Journal’s editorial board. “One to two years out, we’re looking at being able to balance our budget. But starting in years three and four, we’re going to have to make hard choices and these choices may affect affordability and/or access,” MacEwan University President Deborah Saucier told the Journal. Although capping tuition benefits students in the short-term, it could be counter-productive if cash-strapped institutions are forced to make cuts further down the line, the Journal adds.
