Top Ten
March 29, 2019
Concordia pressured by Chinese officials to cancel event with Uighur activist
Chinese officials pressured a Concordia University-affiliated human rights research institute to cancel a conference featuring a prominent exiled Uighur leader, according to the institute’s executive director. Kyle Mathews, who leads the Montreal Institute for Genocide and Human Rights Studies at Concordia, told CBC that he received an email from the Chinese consul general in Montreal this Monday, asking him for an urgent meeting to discuss a planned conference on China’s Uighur minority. Matthews said that he ignored the request and went forward with the conference, only to discover later that the consul general had pressured several other people to cancel the event. “I think that's problematic, it goes against freedom of speech, it goes against the right of universities to talk about complex issues and contemporary issues,” Matthews told Radio Canada International on Wednesday. CBC (QC)
Much of international student growth in Canada begins in secondary schools
In many cases, the international student journey in Canada begins before post-secondary education, reports CTV News. The article highlights a growing trend of local school boards across the country that are actively recruiting international students to reverse declining enrolments and funding shortfalls. CTV adds that while it is a common belief that many international students come from affluent backgrounds, a soon-to-be-published survey from Western University shows that 81% of international graduate students claim to be struggling financially. “The financial struggles do impact their academic development and it adds stress, significant stress to their lives,” says Krystyna Wierczerzak, chairperson of International Graduate Students Issues Committee. CTV (ON)
Dal-based initiative seeks to eradicate recruitment of child soldiers
A research and training initiative based at Dalhousie University is working to prevent children from being recruited as soldiers in war-ravaged countries, writes Moira Farr. Founded by former Canadian Forces Lieutenant-General Roméo Dallaire in 2007, the Roméo Dallaire Child Soldiers Initiative has reportedly made deep connections with global partners in the effort to end the use and recruitment of child soldiers. “There’s no doubt the relationship is mutually beneficial,” said David Black, chair of Dal’s department of political science, noting the many opportunities for researchers and students to participate in the efforts related to campus awareness, research, and education. University Affairs (NS)
International Partnership of Business Schools adds Brock as its sole Canadian partner
Brock University’s Goodman School of Business has become the only Canadian partner in the International Partnership of Business Schools network. A Brock release notes that the consortium of 13 globally-oriented, leading business schools in Europe, North America, and Latin America all grant double degrees, which require study in two countries and promote language and cultural fluency along with business aptitude. “This partnership will literally open up a world of opportunity for our students and faculty,” said Goodman Dean Andrew Gaudes. “It means we are now part of a group that holds the same values of including international experience as well as incorporating work placement in a student’s business education.” Brock (ON)
Meet Ontario Tech University
The University of Ontario Institute of Technology has undertaken a transformative rebranding, rechristening itself as Ontario Tech University. An Ontario Tech release states that between now and the start of the 2019-20 academic year in September, the school’s campus will don a new look and feel through its new visual identity and market positioning. “Our university looks at technology differently, whether it’s developing new tech breakthroughs or investigating how tech influences our lives,” says university president Steven Murphy. “Ontario Tech is the first Canadian university to position itself this way and the new brand will help us share the amazing story that is tech with a conscience.” Ontario Tech | DurhamRegion.com (ON)
UMontréal announces new doctorate in public health
The Université de Montréal’s École de santé publique has announced a new doctoral program for public health professionals. Dean Réjean Hébert stated that the professional doctorate program is unique in Canada, and will address an existing need in Quebec society. The program will prepare students for a career in leading practice-oriented public health organizations and initiatives, and will train professionals to have the necessary skills necessary for large-scale projects dealing with public health issues. UMontréal hopes to implement the program in Fall 2021, but is now awaiting the approval of the province’s ministry of education. UMontréal (QC)
UCalgary Nursing launches first-in-Canada program for busy health pros
The University of Calgary Nursing program has launched a Stackable Certificate MN Program that allows students to complete one-year certificates with the opportunity to ladder these into a Master of Nursing degree. “We are launching the program after extensive consultations with our community partners, who remind us there is a serious shortage of nurses prepared at the graduate level in the province,” says UCalgary Nursing graduate programs dean Shelley Raffin Bouchal. “These advanced practice nurses contribute significantly to the health-care system, and as of this fall, we are creating access for 100 new graduate students.” The program offers four specializations: Addiction and Mental Health, Contemporary Topics in Aging, Innovations in Teaching and Learning, and Leadership for Health System Transformation. UCalgary (AB)
CNA joined by AESL to unveil new program at Bonavista campus
The College of the North Atlantic has unveiled a new two-year Cultural Culinary Arts & Tourism program that aims to enhance Newfoundland & Labrador’s tourism and hospitality industry. “We strive to ensure that our program offerings are not only current and relevant, but they also meet the high-quality standards that are demanded in today’s economic climate,” said CNA President Bruce Hollett. “Graduates from this program will be able to contribute a strong skillset that will ensure the cultural uniqueness of Newfoundland and Labrador is enhanced even further.” The program will see students develop and implement a cultural culinary tourism experience, assess and market local foods, cook and present foods in a distinct provincial way, and learn how to develop cultural menus for a specific audience. CNA (NL)
Fleming to prepare students for shifting employment landscape with newly renovated space at Sutherland Campus
Fleming College is looking to prepare graduates for the evolving workplace with its the newly renovated A-Wing at its Sutherland Campus. A Fleming release notes that the $12.5M updated space will serve more than 3,000 students by providing increased capacity for on-campus work-integrated learning opportunities and great access to simulations for task-based and scenario-based learning. “This is a tremendous milestone for the college and the updated A-Wing now better provides opportunities for our students to prepare for today’s dynamic workforce,” said Fleming President Maureen Adamson. Fleming (ON)
MUN students vote down U-Pass, parking rates double
Shortly after students at Memorial University in Newfoundland succeeded in advocating against a mandatory fee for bus passes, the university’s board of governors doubled on-campus parking rates, reports CBC. Effective May 1, all campus parking passes will reportedly see a 100% increase. “Demand on the St. John's campus for parking spaces has continued to grow, while the fee charged for parking does not encourage members of the university community to avail of alternative, more environmentally friendly forms of transportation,” reads an update on the school’s website. Student representatives were quick to denounce the unexpected change, while the university maintains that even the raised rates do not meet the costs associated with maintaining the parking lots. CBC (NL)
