Top Ten
January 11, 2019
Aurora cuts ribbon on new $10M mine training centre
Aurora College has officially cut the ribbon on its new $10.4M mine training facility. CBC reports that the new Centre for Mine and Industry Training in Fort Smith includes vehicle bays, space for mining equipment, classrooms, and offices, and will be home to programs that train students to work as heavy equipment operators, surface or underground miners, and diamond drillers, among others. “The Centre for Mine and Industry Training will provide valuable and transferable skills in an innovative learning environment that will benefit residents and help us to build our mining workforce in the Northwest Territories,” said Wally Schumann, NWT minister of industry, tourism and investment. CBC (NWT)
McMaster partners with University of Rome, University of Hong Kong on collaborative doctoral program
McMaster University has partnered with the University of Rome (La Sapienza) and the University of Hong Kong to introduce a new collaborative PhD program in the chemistry of food and nutrition. McMaster reports that over the term of the agreement, at least 30 PhD candidates will be completing their graduate work between the three universities, moving freely between them. The students will be supervised by professors at the three institutions. “The agreement is an impressive start to a very promising collaboration between three key universities on three continents. It leverages the benefits of skills, equipment and deep knowledge at each of the universities to deliver top quality research and education,” said McMaster Provost and Vice-President Academic David Farrar. McMaster (ON)
Several factors contributing to Canada’s teacher shortage: MacDonald
A mounting teacher shortage is being felt by schools throughout the country, reports Moira MacDonald, with retirements, increased enrolments, cuts to teacher education programs, and lower applicant rates being significant factors. The author investigates responses by provincial governments to address the shortage, such as a campaign promise by the Quebec government to increase wages for new teachers and an influx of cash for teacher education from the Government of British Columbia. Kirk Anderson, President of the Association of Canadian Deans of Education and a Dean at Memorial University, stated that university education faculties need more detailed data to assess the demand for teachers throughout the country. University Affairs (National)
Petitioners lobby ON government to reinstate Francophone university
Nearly 11,000 people have signed a petition demanding that the Ontario government reinstate plans for acancelled Francophone university, reports the North Bay Nugget. Clayre Bertrand, who launched the petition, told the Nugget that the petition was presented to the House of Commons’ Committee on Official Languages when it reached 7,000 signatures. Normand Labrie, the proposed university’s interim President, said in a statement that the project is not dead, and that it already has a working board of governors, approved campus site, and the beginnings of an academic program. North Bay Nugget |Journal de Montréal[Fr] (ON)
Conestoga, La Cité to launch cheesemaker program
Conestoga College, La Cité collégiale, and the Ontario Dairy Council have announced a partnership to launch the Centre of Excellence for cheesemaker training. A release states that the Centre will feature hands-on training programs to fill the demand for skilled artisans in the dairy industry. “Supporting the needs of Canada’s dairy industry is an important investment in our economic development and well-being,” said Conestoga President John Tibbits. La Cité President Lisa Bourgeoisadded that Conestoga and La Cité have a fully approved curriculum in both languages. The institutions have jointly earmarked $3.5M collectively for land investment. Conestoga| Ottawa Business Journal (ON)
UManitoba opens expanded children’s centre
The University of Manitoba has celebrated the grand opening of the newly expanded Campus Children’s Centre at the university’s Fort Garry campus. The $3.3M expansion created an additional 54 spaces at the centre and a new indoor mini-gym. The Winnipeg Free Press states that funds will also support the Centre’s efforts to weave traditional Indigenous teachings into the daycare’s curriculum. The expansion was funded by UManitoba’s Students’ Union, the Graduate Students Association, and the Province of Manitoba. Winnipeg Free Press (MB)
Chatham-Kent launches program to bring home post-secondary grads
The municipality of Chatham-Kent, Ontario has launched a program to attract post-secondary graduates who left the area to pursue their studies, reports Chatham this Week. The baCK Student Connection Tool invites grads to complete a survey that asks participants to list their post-secondary school and program, the types of jobs they are interested in, and their expected graduation date. Chatham-Kent’s resident Attraction and Retention Coordinator Victoria Bodnar said that the initiative grew out of a 2016 survey that found people between ages 15 and 39 list employment as the biggest factor when they consider where to live. Chatham this Week (ON)
Audit recommends quicker board recruitment timelines at Carlton Trail
A performance audit of Saskatchewan's Carlton Trail College has recommended that the college recruit its board members in a more timely manner. According to the Humboldt Journal, the college’s seven-member board is appointed by the provincial government at the recommendation of the college. “We are going to be working on our policies and processes, and the policy will be updated to include those timelines for the recruitment of potential board candidates,” stated Carlton Trail President Shelley Romanyszyn-Cross. The Humboldt Journal says that the auditors also concluded that the college’s financial statements were in order, but added that the college should require its staff to independently review and approve journal entries. Humboldt Journal (SK)
Lethbridge launches VR book club
Lethbridge College has established a VR book club that invites participants from all over the world to take part, reports the Lethbridge Herald. “We already have more than 70 people from six continents signed up for the first session,” said Multimedia Production instructor Mike McCready. “Our discussions will be hosted by the AltspaceVR virtual reality platform, which means anyone with access to VR can join through an interactive environment. But even if you don’t have VR capabilities, you can still watch and discuss through your computer or mobile device, so it really is open to everyone.” The Herald adds that Lethbridge has also incorporated VR into its Production, Digital Communications and Media, Interior Design Technology, Wind Turbine Technology, and health programs. Lethbridge Herald (AB)
Burned-out millennials need careers, not just jobs: Smith
“[W]hat educated millennials need isn’t just jobs; they need help plotting a course that will reliably lead them to upward mobility and justify the expense of their education,” writes Noah Smith. The author goes on to list the challenges that millennials must confront in an unstable job market, which is not so much defined by joblessness as a lack of stability and meaningful, fulfilling careers. Smith then recommends that governments implement policies to compensate for the precariousness of the gig economy, while adding that post-secondary institutions should help soon-to-be graduates better visualize a career path characterized by unpredictability. BNN Bloomberg (International)
