Top Ten
November 14, 2018
Seneca to support re-skilling for mid-career professionals with support of $1M grant
Seneca College will run a new initiative designed to support re-skilling for mid-career professionals at risk of job loss due to disruptive changes in the labour market. The TD-HELIX Transformation Initiative will benefit from a $1M grant that will be awarded to Seneca as a winner of the inaugural TD Ready Challenge. “We are so grateful to the TD Ready Challenge for giving us this opportunity to reach such an important segment of the working world,” said Chris Dudley, Director, Seneca HELIX. “This gift will give us the opportunity to transform participants into creative thinkers, designers, problem solvers, collaborators and communicators. It will also build up their resilience as they navigate the ever-changing employment landscape.” The TD-HELIX Transformation Initiative will build on the growth of Seneca’s on-campus HELIX incubation hub, which is dedicated to developing intra-and-entrepreneurial mindsets. Seneca
12 AB institutions sign MOU to support reservists
12 postsecondary institutions in Alberta have signed a Memorandum of Understanding supporting reservists who are students or employees. A NorQuest College release states that if the Department of National Defense requires reservists, a leave may be granted that accommodates students or secures employment for staff. “This collaboration among the Alberta colleges is paramount to continue the development of educated, hard-working and strong leaders for Canada,” stated Colonel Eppo van Weelderen, Commander of 41 Canadian Brigade Group. “This will help provide the necessary supports to our soldiers as they fulfill their duties serving our nation, in our communities and abroad.” NorQuest
Northern to offer two programs through Chinese partner institutions
CBC reports that Northern College will offer two new programs through Hunan Industry Polytechnic, its partner institution in China. Northern’s Electrical Engineering Technician and Motive Power Technician - Automotive Service will be offered in English at the Chinese polytechnic, adds CBC. Northern President Fred Gibbons stated that the programming gives Chinese students an opportunity to experience North American teaching methods. "Ours is a lot more interactive for our students to engage in projects and assignments and group work and collaborative activity and the teacher is not a lecturer, they assist the student in the process of learning," he said. Gibbons added that Chinese students who come to Canada with Northern diplomas will also have an easier time finding work. CBC
Concordia receives $1M in federal funding for terrorism prevention in Lebanon
Concordia University has received $1M from the federal government in support of the UNESCO Co-Chair in the Prevention of Radicalization and Violent Extremism. Concordia reports that the Co-Chair, Vivek Venkatesh, will put the funds toward the development, implementation, and evaluation of capacity-building to counter terrorism in Lebanon through a social media education initiative. “The workshops in Lebanon will focus primarily on critical digital literacy and social pedagogy in an aim to positively build capacity and empower local communities,” stated Venkatesh. Concordia adds that five Lebanese NGOs have partnered with Venkatesh to facilitate the programming. Concordia
Western undertakes $20M modernization project for Health and Wellness Centre
Western University has undertaken a $20M modernization project that will result in an integrated Health and Wellness Centre. The project will bring together Health Services and Psychological Services, enabling to access medical care, counselling services, and wellness education under one roof. “The university recognized we needed a cohesive and coordinated approach,” explained Jennifer Massey, Associate Vice-President (Student Experience). “That was a big decision, a huge investment and a massive organizational undertaking. By bringing those units all under one umbrella, we are now seeing the fruits of even just this conversation around how they all interrelate. Western
UQAM introduces new program in Indigenous studies
Université du Québec à Montréal has introduced a new undergraduate program in Indigenous studies. The 18-credit program is designed to introduce students to Indigenous history, culture, art, and politics. UQAM Professor Laurent Jérôme explained that the program is aimed towards both educating interested students about the realities faced by Indigenous people and to meet the training needs of professionals who work with the Indigenous community. Jérôme added that the program and other initiatives at the institution aim to engage the UQAM community in dialogue, education, and awareness of Indigenous realities. UQAM
Litigation related to SMU football team resolved after more than $600K in legal costs
After over $600K in combined legal fees incurred by Saint Mary’s University, Acadia University, U Sports, and Atlantic University Sport; SMU has reached a deal on the outstanding litigation related to a dispute around an athlete’s eligibility. The dispute between SMU and U Sports centred around SMU wide receiver Archelaus Jack and the language involving how long a former CFL player must wait to be considered eligible for university level football. Out of concerns that the dispute would not be resolved in time, AUS cancelled the championship game between SMU and Acadia. SMU pursued legal action to allow the game to proceed, and AUS had since been in litigation with SMU over the decision to cancel the game. AUS executive director said that both parties have agreed to dismiss the legal action. “The final result is a great deal of time, effort, emotion and cost went into this case,” said U Sports President Graham Brown. CBC
Université de Hearst signs articulation agreement with Collège Boréal
CBC reports that Collège Boréal and Université de Hearst have signed an articulation agreement in which Hearst will recognize credits from Boréal’s Business Administration, Bookkeeping, Social Services, Police Services, and Peace and Conflict Studies programs. Boréal President Daniel Giroux told CBC that the college offers flexible learning models for students, but graduates who pursue university degrees lose time because their academic credentials are not always recognized. Employers are also seeking a combination of theoretical and practical skills, and a combined college diploma and university degree can equip students for both, Giroux added. CBC | Timmins Today
USask partners with Valard Group for multi-sector energy initiative
The Valard Group of Companies has partnered with a multi-sectoral renewable energy program housed at the University of Saskatchewan’s School of Environment and Sustainability. A release states that the renewable Energy in Northern, Remote and Indigenous Communities Flagship Program consists of 14 founding partners including three businesses, four Indigenous entities representing 14 communities, six academic institutions from Alaska, Norway, Sweden and Canada, and one non-governmental organization. The program draws on research and existing knowledge of circumpolar communities to implement policy shifts that support sustainable energy. “This partnership takes a community-directed approach to understanding, identifying and executing energy sustainability,” said Steve Sousa, Chief Commercial Officer for the Valard Group. Nation Talk
UOttawa to hold referendum on new student union
The University of Ottawa will hire an impartial agency to hold a referendum on a new student association following allegations that the Student Federation of the University of Ottawa had engaged in fiscal mismanagement, reports the Ottawa Citizen. While a forensic audit of the SFUO found no evidence of fraud, the Citizen says that UOttawa administration has stuck by its decision to sever ties with the embattled student body. According to the Citizen, another group of students has organized to form a new student union, with elections slated for March of 2019. UOttawa stated that it will negotiate an agreement with the group that wins the election. Ottawa Citizen
Postscript: McGill students vote to change 'Redmen' sports teams name
CBC reports that McGill University students have voted 78.8% in favour of renaming the school’s varsity team, the Redman. The referendum’s organizers stated that they hope the non-binding vote will push McGill’s administration to respond in kind. Students who have lobbied for the name change state that the name “Redmen” carries derogatory connotations for Indigenous peoples. CBC
