Top Ten
March 7, 2019
Meet Red Deer University: RDC chooses new name
In anticipation of gaining university status, Red Deer College has announced that it will be renamed Red Deer University. The college received approval from the Province of Alberta to become a university last year, and will officially use the new name following a multi-year process. “The Government of Alberta has heard the voices of our students, community members and partners as they echoed our message about what a university will mean to this region,” said RDC Board of Governors Chair Morris Flewwelling. “We are incredibly pleased to begin the next step of our journey as Red Deer University, a name that reflects the strong legacy of our institution and also its bright future.” CBC (AB)
UWaterloo warns of fake counselling service ads on campus
The University of Waterloo has warned students that stickers promoting a counselling service on campus are not an official university resource. CBC reports that the stickers advertise “inexpensive, confidential online” counselling, available through video chat or text message. They also advertise a website where students can supposedly access those services, although CBC notes that as of Wednesday morning, the site was not active. UWaterloo’s Matthew Grant told CBC that the stickers were brought to the attention of staff after several students said they did not recognize the website listed on the sticker. So far, no students have complained of any wrongdoing. CBC (ON)
Are universities catering only to the young?
Reflecting on a discussion paper she authored with one of her biology Master’s students, Liette Vasseur considers some of the barriers that mature students encounter in Canada’s post-secondary system. The author finds that mature female STEM students, in particular, suffer subtle and not-so-subtle forms of discrimination that range from obscure entry requirements to a dearth of affordable daycare options if they have children. Additionally, mature female students might be ineligible for scholarships or summer work opportunities because of their age. Vasseur adds that these barriers are not exclusive to women in STEM, and that institutions also need to provide better supports for Indigenous students, students of colour, and newcomers to Canada. Collingwood Today (The Conversation) (National)
MB universities financially handcuffed without provincial support: Budget documents
Even with a tuition hike that exceeds inflation, several Manitoba universities say they will struggle to maintain programming without more provincial funding. CBC reports that budget documents from the University of Manitoba, Brandon University, and Université de Saint-Boniface made the projections after they were asked by the government to assume no increase in provincial grants and a tuition hike of 6.5% for the 2019-20 academic year. Students told CBC that the rising tuition fees have not translated into improved delivery. Meanwhile, the institutional documents said that even with the fee hikes, universities are struggling to keep up with basic maintenance and infrastructure costs. The University of Manitoba added that it risks running a deficit if enrolments decline. CBC (MB)
Levy: Industry, PSE must better align if Canada is to address “jobs without people, people without jobs”
“We cannot afford or excuse this double-jeopardy for Canadian prosperity: jobs without people and people without jobs,” writes Sheldon Levy, Special Advisor to the Minister of Small Business & Export Promotion. The author adds that in an age of digital disruption, post-secondary institutions need to be more aligned with industry needs while also requiring industry to better support future talent. “No employer can expect new graduates to be job-ready on Day 1 without providing meaningful internship and co-op opportunities,” notes Levy, who goes on to discuss a number of areas in which post-secondary institutions can become more aligned with industry in a way that is beneficial to all Canadians. Financial Post (National)
Queen’s takes the ONRamp to U of T
Entrepreneurs from Queen’s University can take advantage of the University of Toronto’s Entrepreneurship ONRamp initiative thanks to a new partnership between the schools. “ONRamp will extend the influence of our entrepreneurs in southern Ontario, increasing awareness of the cutting-edge research, invention and commercialization coming out of our university and community,” said Queen’s Vice-principal of Research Kimberly Woodhouse. Queen’s joins McMaster University, the University of Waterloo, and Western University as a member of the downtown collaborative space. The Whig explains that ONRamp consists of 15,000 square feet of meeting rooms, event spaces, a lounge and kitchen, and the RBC Innovation Hub. Additionally, business owners can use the space to host researchers, networking events, and more. The Whig | Queen's (ON)
St Michael’s launches interfaith diploma program
St Michael’s College at the University of Toronto has launched an Interfaith Diploma program. The Catholic Register states that each of the ten courses in the program will include 12 hours of class time, field work, and readings. After students complete an initial course in Catholic principles of interfaith and ecumenical dialogue, they may either engage in interfaith dialogues in the community or map the religious faiths of a Toronto neighbourhood. The Register adds that students will also have the opportunity to explore different religious traditions, from Indigenous spiritualities to the world religions of Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Judaism. Catholic Register| St Michael’s (ON)
Laurentian, Core Foundation strike gold
Laurentian University’s Goodman School of Mines and the nonprofit Core Foundation have signed an agreement to promote education and research activities in Peru, Chile, and Brazil. Under the MOU, the two parties will develop relationships in countries that require world-class mining training and develop international partnerships to further related education and research in Latin America. “Countries like Peru need our strong expertise in mining-related disciplines,” said GSM Interim Executive Director Osman Abou-Rabia. “This agreement has the potential of opening up a new market in Latin America to bring qualified students and research collaboration to Laurentian University.” Laurentian (ON)
Editorial body releases new guidelines for editing the work of undergraduates
Editors Canada has released updated guidelines for the ethical editing of student work, reports Jessica Natale Woollard. While a set of guidelines originally released in 2006 covered graduate-level work, the new policy addresses undergraduates as well. “Our position on (editing undergraduate student work) had been ‘don’t do it, because we haven’t created any guidance,’” said Gael Spivak, president of Editors Canada. “But we knew that students were (hiring editors) anyway, so we needed to start including undergrads.” The guidelines now require a signed letter of permission from a student’s instructor for any editing work. University Affairs (National)
Algonquin SPARKs partnership with Software-as-a-Service accelerator
Algonquin College’s School of Business has partnered with Software-as-a-Service accelerator L-SPARK. An Algonquin release states that the partnership will provide students with internship and co-op opportunities as well as access to industry events. “L-SPARK recognizes the value of providing experiential learning for entrepreneurship,” said Leo Lax, Executive Managing Director at L-SPARK. “Algonquin College has a unique approach to building such skills. This partnership is the platform that we will jointly use to foster entrepreneurship in Algonquin students, and I am honoured to be their partner in this initiative.” Algonquin| Ottawa Business Journal (ON)
