Top Ten
May 29, 2019
UWinnipeg launches Two-Spirit Archives to kick off Pride
The University of Winnipeg and Algoma University have received grants from the Virtual Museum of Canada for initiatives related to Indigenous culture. The official launch of UWinnipeg’s Two-Spirit Archives, which CBC says are a first in Canada, will kick off the school’s Pride Week celebrations. The archives are believed to be the most comprehensive collection of two-spirit materials in Canada. "In terms of Indigenous human rights, two-spirit rights are also part of that process of reclaiming rights and identity," said Albert McLeod, a long-time activist and co-director of Two-Spirited People of Manitoba Inc. "For us it's that legacy piece and that's what the archive is suited to do, is really maintain that legacy and preserve it for future generations." CBC (MB)
UWOFA partners with Academics Without Borders
The University of Western Ontario Faculty Association Board of Directors has struck a partnership with Academics Without Borders. The partners will work together to raise awareness about future opportunities to volunteer with the organization. "When we were approached to participate in Academics Without Borders, what pleased me greatly was the fact that the entire Board of Directors was so enthusiastic to be involved," said UWOFA President Dan Belliveau. "I think that stems from our current involvement with Scholars at Risk. They align well and represent UWOFA’s continuing concern for higher education broadly." Western (ON)
BC post-secondary educators lead new push to end "crisis" of contract faculty exploitation
The BC-based Federation of Post-Secondary Educators says that it will make a push this summer to seek major changes to the ways that post-secondary institutions in the province make use of contract faculty. "It allows the university to run on short-term, dispensable labour," said Federation President George Davison, adding that some contract staff are hired for as little as four months at a time and paid a fifth of what tenured professors make, often for teaching the same courses. Jacqueline Holler, president of the Confederation of University Faculty Associations of BC, stated that the growing use of part-time faculty is due largely to declining provincial funding. Reliance on contract faculty becomes an issue when institutions rely on these employees to fulfill their core academic mandate, she added. The Province (BC)
Mohawk sets sights for local employment, prosperity
Mohawk College has launched Challenge 2025, an initiative to address poverty, under-education, and labour shortages in the Greater Hamilton Area. A Mohawk release states that the initiative includes a task force made up of stakeholders in Hamilton’s corporate, community, education, healthcare, and municipal sectors. "With Challenge 2025, we have a good map for success and, with the help of our taskforce, we will chart the right course. But we can’t get there alone," said Mohawk President Ron McKerlie. "Working together, I am confident we will see real improvement in those neighbourhoods that need us most – thanks to a strong, vibrant citizenship working together for generational change." Mohawk | Global (ON)
Institutional innovations that strengthen support for adjuncts: Kezar
"Forward-thinking colleges and universities have begun to address the needs of adjunct faculty in innovative, creative, and distinctive ways," writes Adrianna Kezar, a researcher who studies changing faculty trends. Kezar has surveyed a number of institutions that pursued equity for all faculty members through improved compensation for non-tenure-track faculty, providing adjunct faculty with the opportunity to apply for multiyear contracts and sabbaticals for scholarly projects, and the introduction of awards for adjunct and contingent faculty. "Of course, many problems remain for adjuncts on campuses across the United States, and we need continued vigilance to address these issues," concludes Kezar. "Yet, if we ignore the progress being made, we miss opportunities to see beacons for change." Inside Higher Ed (International)
Vertical farmers bring education, innovation, local food to Seneca
Seneca College has partnered with Ripple Farms to launch a one-day vertical farming boot camp, said to be the first of its kind in Ontario. "The notion of farming has changed and we have evolved and built on three pillars: education, innovation and local food," said Brandon Hebor, co-owner of Ripple Farms. "We want to teach people the ins and outs of vertical farming as well as the science behind aquaponics and hydroponics systems." A Seneca release states that the boot camp will feature a series of hands-on modules that teach participants about innovative technologies, business models, and techniques for growing plants in controlled environments. Seneca (ON)
LaSalle tourism program obtains accreditation
LaSalle College International School of Hotel Management & Tourism has received "100% Accueillant" accreditation. A release states that the program takes a personalized approach to hospitality for frontline workers in the tourism industry. The ministère du Tourisme said that the program was designed to make "Quebec a tourist destination recognized worldwide for the quality of its workforce," and to highlight the "warm welcome of Quebeckers." The certification training will be added to select DEC programs in hotel management, food service management, and tourism techniques. The college states that it is the first English-speaking establishment to offer this training. LaSalle (QC)
CBU grows creativity, innovation with new entrepreneurship centre
The Cape Breton Partnership and Cape Breton University have announced that the Cape Breton University Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre will officially launch in September. According to a release, the Centre will provide entrepreneurship supports and training to students and the Cape Breton community. "The Centre directly relates to our strategic plan as we are focused on championing the Island’s prosperity with initiatives like this. We are so proud to have space at Cape Breton University dedicated to building a better future for our Island and its citizens," said CBU President David Dingwall. CBU adds that the Centre is the first of several proposed innovation spaces throughout the region. CBU (NS)
Cégep de Sept-Îles launches interdisciplinary research unit for innovative energy solutions
Cégep de Sept-Îles has launched Inergia, a research unit that focuses on smart grids and energy systems. A Sept-Îles release states that Inergia bridges academic research and industry by bringing applied research innovations and green solutions to industrial issues. The unit consists of specialists in several areas, including industrial energy efficiency, artificial intelligence, industrial IT, renewable energies, energy storage, network design and intelligent microarrays, development, and implementation. Sept-Îles (QC)
UNB initiative aims to boost public knowledge about manufacturing sector
The University of New Brunswick has introduced the JDI Roundtable on Manufacturing Competitiveness in New Brunswick, a research program that seeks to advance public understanding of manufacturing competitiveness in the province. A UNB release states that the roundtable’s signature initiative will be an annual forum that brings together global thought leaders to address regional challenges specific to the manufacturing sector. "By focusing on public education and engagement, and engaging with those working in industry, government, academia and the private sector, the Roundtable will identify the particular issues that influence competitiveness for current manufacturers in New Brunswick," said UNB President Eddy Campbell. UNB (NB)
