Top Ten
April 23, 2019
Renewed ArcticNet funding to support green economy in Canada’s north
ArcticNet, a Université Laval-based beneficiary of the Networks of Centres of Excellence program, has received nearly $32.5M in renewed funding for the next five years. According to ArcticNet Scientific Co-director Philippe Archambault, the network has received support from Inuit, private, and public partners to mobilize scientific and local knowledge that informs adaptation to climate change and modernization in the North. Jackie Dawson, an ArcticNet Co-director from the University of Ottawa, added that the network will spend the next five years informing the sustainable development of the Canadian Arctic Blue Economy—in the form of shipping, fisheries, tourism, and mining—and building post-secondary research and training capacity. Nation Talk (National)
BC announces exponential uptake in tuition waivers for former youth in care
The Government of British Columbia has announced that 806 former youth in care are accessing post-secondary education through the Provincial Tuition Waiver Program, a 326% increase since its launch. A provincial release states that students are enrolled in programs such as social work, academic arts, nursing, pre-medical studies, trades, business administration, and graphics design. “Our government believes in opening doors and creating pathways for students to thrive,” said Melanie Mark, BC Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Training. “In many cases, these young people have faced tremendous injustices and have shown tremendous resilience through their journey to graduate from high school.” BC (BC)
UoGuelph launches cybersecurity program to meet demand for skilled labour
The University of Guelph has introduced a graduate degree in cybersecurity and threat intelligence. A UoGuelph release states that the program, which launches in September, will help meet the need for experts in threat intelligence, threat hunting, digital forensics, intrusion prevention, privacy, and crypto-analysis. “We are expecting 1.5 million unfilled cybersecurity positions by 2025,” said Computer Science professor Ali Dehghantanha. “Attacks are becoming more complicated, digitalization is pervading more of our world and too little attention has been paid to educating cybersecurity professionals.” The Guelph Mercuryadds that McAfee Canada, Cisco Systems, Information Systems Architects, the RCMP, BlackBerry, IBM, and others have signed on as partners for the program. Guelph Mercury | UoGuelph (ON)
StFX, Chignecto tackle rural teacher shortage
St Francis Xavier University and the Chignecto Central Regional Centre for Education have partnered on a new Bachelor of Education program that seeks to supply teachers to rural Nova Scotia. The part-time program will target mature students, including those with full-time jobs and families, from rural communities that would like to stay and teach in those communities after graduation. “We had a conversation recently identifying the fact that there are specific needs in terms of future teachers and a desire to find a way to help those aspiring teachers who can't commit to a two-year full-time program,” said Chignecto Regional Executive Director Gary Adams. Adams added that the Centre will aim to recruit African-Nova Scotian and Mi’kmaq participants. CBC (NS)
Ontario Tech, OCADU fuse science, art, design
A partnership between Ontario Tech University and OCAD University will combine art and design with engineering, computer science, health, and other areas of science. Ontario Tech President Steven Murphy notes that the three-year pilot partnership will see the institutions develop “new, efficient ways of teaching and learning” while aligning the schools’ efforts with the provincial government’s economic and skills development strategies. “Today’s rapidly-evolving workforce needs the combined power of creativity and science,” adds OCADU President Sara Diamond. “I know other universities will want to apply the outcomes of this model to their institutions.” An Ontario Tech release outlines six projects that will launch this year under the new partnership. Ontario Tech (ON)
Quick action by HEC students saves library collection
A group of students at Hautes Etudes Commerciales spontaneously banded together to save thousands of books when a water pipe burst on the sixth floor of the business library, reports La Presse. HEC librarian Isabelle Dallaire told La Presse that she was moved by the students’ quick action as they helped library staff move the books to safety, adding that they understand the importance of the collection as a piece of the school’s heritage. La Presse states that officials do not yet know the extent of the damage. La Presse (QC)
Loyalist, YMCA introduce ECE programming
Loyalist College and YMCA Northumberland have partnered to provide YMCA employees with access to Loyalist’s online, part-time Early Childhood Education diploma program. A Loyalist release notes that the program emphasizes inclusive practices, partnerships with families, multiple intelligences, and evidence-based practices. “This tailored delivery option gives staff the flexibility and convenience of pursuing post-secondary education while working full-time,” said Loyalist President Ann Marie Vaughan. “It allows them to immediately apply their knowledge by helping to support young children, their families and our communities in the holistic development of optimal learning and well-being.” Loyalist (ON)
UQAR researchers to benefit from $2M maritime project
The Université du Québec à Rimouski has announced that it is part of eight interdisciplinary research projects, headed by Réseau Québec maritime, that have received $2.1M from several research partners. Lead researcher Erwann Fraboulet stated that a variety of partnerships amongst regional start-ups and multinationals in large urban centers will benefit from the projects. The program also supports research across the Estuary-Gulf of St. Lawrence continuum, from large multidisciplinary platforms such as a shipboard project on the Coriolis II to private fishing boats, added Fraboulet. UQAR (QC)
“Here for Good”: Carleton raises $300M to support research, teaching, community
Carleton University has celebrated the conclusion of its Collaborate Campaign after surpassing its $300M goal. The multi-year fundraising campaign supported new scholarships and bursaries, grassroots FutureFunder projects, research projects, and more. “During this campaign, we established a unifying tagline that guides us in everything we do: Here for Good,” said Carleton Chief Advancement Officer Jennifer Conley. “Whether it’s through research, teaching and learning efforts, or student initiatives, we strive to contribute to the greater good of society.” Carleton (1) | Carleton (2) (ON)
SFU, Chartwells team up to “think ahead and give back”
Simon Fraser University has partnered with Chartwells to spearhead the Thinking Ahead Giving Back initiative. According to an SFU release, Chartwells has pledged to deliver one million meals to tackle food insecurity, provide 10,000 hours of community support around mental well-being and other social issues facing students, and create 1,000 job connections through a more focused commitment to student employment. “We are extremely proud to bring our new vision to the SFU community,” said Chartwells President Ashton Sequeira. “We believe in partnering with the community to engage and inspire students. I’m excited about the strategic partnerships that we have and the new ones we will be forming to demonstrate our new approach at SFU.” SFU (BC)
