Top Ten
November 29, 2018
CANARIE announces recipients of research funding for data management
CANARIE has announced that 9 research teams will receive up to $3.2M in funding to help researchers develop tools and software components for best practices in data management related to scientific research. “Effective RDM practices not only maximize investments in science but can have a profound impact on accelerating discovery by simplifying access to data generated from scientific research,” said Mark Wolff, Chief Technology Officer at CANARIE. A CANARIE release states that research teams at McGill University, the University of British Columbia, University of Prince Edward Island, University of Saskatchewan, University of Toronto, and University of Victoria received funding. CANARIE
UCalgary to add Life Sciences Hub to University Research Park
The University of Calgary has announced that it will purchase the Shell Technology Centre and convert it into a new Life Sciences Innovation Hub. A release from UCalgary reports that students, researchers, companies, and startups will use the Hub as an innovation space. Additionally, the Hub will provide dedicated wet lab and office spaces for growing companies. “This acquisition is a critical next step in our vision for a revitalized University Research Park. It also reinforces our commitment to fostering the next generation of talented thought leaders through innovation and entrepreneurial thinking,” said UCalgary President Elizabeth Cannon. UCalgary | Calgary Herald
UMoncton receives largest donation in campus history, creates Aldéa-Landry Scholarship Fund
The Université de Moncton is celebrating the creation of a new endowment fund after receiving the largest donation in the Shippagan campus’s history. The Aldéa-Landry Scholarship Fund, which was recently funded by a $500K gift from the John and Judy Bragg Family Foundation, will benefit UMoncton students from the Acadian Peninsula that are registered in a program that is exclusive to the Shippagan Campus. John Bragg and Judy Bragg noted their deep and concrete attachment to the Acadia Peninsula, as well as their company’s desire to invest in the local community and education through the UMoncton students at the Shippagan campus. UMoncton
MHC gets to work on renewable energy grid
Medicine Hat College has begun work on a renewable energy microgrid. According to Medicine Hat News, the project will include a fast-charging electric car fueling station, four blue-tinged corkscrew wind turbines, and other green energy projects. “We’re trying to generate opportunities: There’s an opportunity to learn, to work with different partners and to really showcase this to the community,” said MHC Director of Advancement Mark Keller. Medicine Hat News adds that the federal Ministry of Western Diversification has contributed $526K to the initiative, with an additional $256K from Alberta Labour. Medicine Hat News
Top court to hear from UAlberta student group over anti-abortion protest
A University of Alberta student group that says it should not have to pay the university a $17.5K security fee to hold an anti-abortion rally will make its case before Alberta’s top court, reports the National Post. The university proposed the fee after pro-choice protestors disrupted a 2015 rally. According to the anti-abortion group, the university’s decision to charge them for security was tantamount to penalizing them for exercising their right to free speech. The group is also suing the university for failing to charge the counter-protestors for violating the student code of conduct when they disrupted the 2015 demonstration. The Post says that Justice Bonnie L Bokenfohr, in an earlier decision, ruled against the anti-abortion group on both issues. National Post
UQTR, DIVEL partner on self-driving industrial vehicles
The Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières and Louiseville's DIVEL have announced a partnership that will see the creation of a new research chair focused on the development of intelligent navigation and improved self-guided vehicles. DIVEL, which currently manufacturers self-guided industrial vehicles, will invest $500K into the creation of the chair. UQTR rector Daniel McMahon stated that the new chair will greatly benefit DIVEL, the university, and the university community. UQTR
McGill, Ubisoft partner on virtual reality research
McGill University has partnered with Ubisoft to establish the NSERC/Ubisoft Industrial Research Chair in Believable Virtual Character Experience. According to a McGill release, the Chair, held by associate professor Derek Nowrouzezahra, will work with Ubisoft to create believable 3-D environments and make virtual characters appear more lifelike. "Professor Nowrouzezahrai’s novel research program strives to create unrivaled virtual experiences for the user with implications that will stretch the imagination, far beyond applications in the world of gaming,” said Jim Nicell, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering. McGill adds that more than 20 undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral scholars will collaborate on the $2.5M project. McGill
TWU celebrates opening of new dormitory
Trinity Western University recently celebrated the dedication of Jacobson Hall, a new 220-bed student residence that TWU describes as the first five-storey building of its kind. Jacobson Hall will primarily house third- and fourth-year students while offering additional student lounges and study spaces. TWU states that the student residence—the second to open within the last two years—will accommodate the rapid increase in students on the Langley campus. “The development of these two major building initiatives is symbolic of the extraordinary growth we’re experiencing as more students than ever are seeking the transformational experience of attending Trinity Western University,” said TWU President Bob Kuhn. “The addition of this new residence building is concrete evidence of our growing student enrolment.” TWU
Facing high demand for PSWs, ECEs, Manitoulin region turns to Cambrian, Boréal
The Manitoulin Sudbury District Services Board has consulted with the City of Sudbury to create a recruitment and retention initiative that meets the regional demand for trained PSWs and ECEs, reports the Manitoulin Expositor. According to the Expositor, the tight regional supply of PSWs and ECEs is partly due to the fact that Cambrian College is the only institution in the district to offer a PSW course, and people from the district often have to travel to Sudbury for the ECE education diploma. DSB Director of Integrated Social Services Donna Stewart stated that DSB and Sudbury have planned to meet with representatives from Cambrian and Boréal to explore more local strategies in these two fields and consider future partnerships. Manitoulin Expositor
YorkU faculty association reaches three-year agreement
York University administration and the York University Faculty Association have reached a three-year agreement. YorkU has committed to hire six Indigenous faculty over the agreement period and work with YUFA to undertake an equal pay exercise for women, racialized, and Indigenous faculty members. YUFA has also secured competitive salary increases, a commitment to index long-term disability and pensions to the Consumer Price Index, improved parental leave provisions, and increases to the Trans Health Fund. The Osgoode Hall Faculty Association has also reached a three-year agreement with YorkU administration that includes similar commitments. OCUFA
