Top Ten
June 6, 2019
Graduate business programs helping alumni tackle gender inequity in the workplace: survey
Alumni of graduate-level business programs say that these programs have helped them tackle workplace gender inequality, according to a recent survey of graduates from the US, Canada, and other countries. The report shows that 2016-17 graduates were more likely to say that their program opened their eyes to gender discrimination (62%) than those who graduated between 2005 and 2015 (40%). When asked how their training had helped them address inequality in the workplace, women were more likely to say it had given them the confidence to confront inequity issues, while men were more likely to report that they had gained awareness of such issues. “It’s always good to see MBAs are trying to embed more awareness,” says Ikram Al Mouaswas, a partner at Deloitte Canada. Globe and Mail (National)
Dawson makes unprecedented investment to bring AI into education
Dawson College has announced a new artificial intelligence program that the Montreal Gazette reports is the most ambitious ever for a Quebec CEGEP. Dawson director-general Richard Filion announced that the college is investing over $1M in AI research. The college has also developed a three-year plan that will involve professors taking time off from teaching to develop AI research and create an AI strategy for the CEGEP. The strategy will focus on introducing AI into school curricula, with impacts ranging from the replacement of real frogs with virtual ones for dissection to experimenting with art produced by AI. Montreal Gazette (QC)
Nunavut, MUN negotiate 10-year strategic partnership
Nunavut Arctic College and Memorial University of Newfoundland have negotiated a 10-year strategic partnership that will build administrative capacity, promote northern research opportunities, and expand postsecondary programming in Nunavut. The two institutions will establish committees in order to begin offering joint credentials, the first of which will be the Nunavut Teacher Education Program. “The goal of the agreement between Nunavut Arctic College and Memorial University is to promote and increase Inuit education and employment in Nunavut,” said Patterk Netser, NU Minister responsible for the college. “The agreement recognizes the importance of Inuit language and culture, and emphasizes opportunities for post-secondary students and adult learners by creating relevant programs that develop the knowledge and skills we need in Nunavut.” Arctic College (International)
UQAC receives over $3M for iBALSAC project mapping French-Canadian population
Université du Québec à Chicoutimi has received over $3M for the iBALSAC project, a multi-sector project that seeks to map the French-Canadian population. The project will bring together researchers from seven Canadian universities and take place over three years. The researchers will integrate genealogical, genetic, and geographical data in order to create analytical tools and a geographic information system, and afterwards, the development of a web portal. UQAC states that the project will pave the way for future collaborations with organizations such as the Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec (BAnQ). UQAC (QC)
UoGuelph looks to tackle world’s top health problems with creation of new interdisciplinary institute
The University of Guelph is tackling some of humanity’s most pressing health problems with the creation of a new research and teaching institute. The new One Health Institute (OHI), approved this week by the UoGuelph Senate, will bring together multidisciplinary researchers and external partners to address problems at what Jeff Wichtel, dean of the Ontario Veterinary College, calls the intersection of people, animals and the environment. “This institute offers a new research and academic platform to promote One Health as an important vehicle to solve intractable problems,” says Wichtel. “It will help us solve complex problems at the intersection that cannot be solved by one discipline alone. Society needs people thinking across disciplines.” UoGuelph (ON)
Marie-Victorin investigating homophobic vandalism
Cégep Marie-Victorin has opened an investigation into a recent act of vandalism that saw coarse and homophobic inscriptions on the walls of the LGBTQ student committee space. While the committee does not know the identity of the vandal or vandals, Pascale Hénault, head of the LGBTQ committee, stated that the committee has experienced similar acts in the past. Marie-Victorin’s leadership has asked its security services to investigate and review security camera footage. Spokesperson Nathalie Baumgartner stated that the institution denounces these acts of violence and does not tolerate this kind of behavior. La Presse (QC)
Study finds online students typically register at local institutions, use mobile devices for coursework
Even though online courses can be taken anywhere in the world, a recent survey has found that nearly two-thirds of students choose a college or university that is within 50 miles of their homes. Only 15% of students studied had enrolled at a school that was over 100 miles away from home. The report also found that most students used mobile devices to complete coursework and interact with the program, and that most students were interested in having an ongoing relationship with their institution. The report further indicated that most students felt that their program improved soft skills such as attention to detail, time management, and critical thinking; and suggested that instructors should design courses with lessons that promote the use of these skills and explain why these skills are valued by employers. Campus Technology (International)
SMU partners with Volta to establish permanent space at innovation hub
Saint Mary’s University has partnered with the Volta innovation hub, becoming the first postsecondary institution to have a permanent work space at the hub and providing its students and faculty with direct access to the Volta community of innovators. SMU’s permanent office space, dubbed the Entrepreneurship Connector, will help create new experiential learning opportunities, enable the SMU community to engage with the local Halifax community and industry, and provide access to resources. "Universities play an important role in driving innovation in Atlantic Canada, and they help attract the talent the region needs to thrive," said Volta CEO Jesse Rodgers. "This partnership will infuse Volta's community with the creativity, enthusiasm and innovative thinking that SMU students exemplify.” SMU (NS)
URegina receives Ken Lochhead art collection
The University of Regina has received the Ken Lochhead art collection as a gift from the Lochhead family. URegina states that Lochhead joined the institution in 1950 and spent 14 years teaching students and creating works of art. “Thanks to the generosity of the Lochhead family, the University of Regina is now home to one of the largest collections of Lochhead’s work – with nearly 100 pieces in our collection,” said URegina President Vianne Timmons. “The gift also returns many pieces that Lochhead created right here in Regina in the 1950s and ’60s to his first artistic and academic home.” The 70 paintings are valued at about $716K and mark the family’s most significant gift to date. URegina (SK)
SaskPolytechnic introduces cutting-edge technologies to prepare students for 21st-century jobs
Saskatchewan Polytechnic has announced recent advancements in its facilities and learning that will help the institution to prepare students for 21st century jobs. The institution recently opened the Gene Haas Manufacturing Technology Lab, which included the installation of state-of-the-art automation technology including a new computer lab, 16 CNC lathes, and other machining centres. The polytechnic also recently unveiled new industry-leading equipment at its Saskatoon campus, which includes four new 3D printers, a waterjet cutter, and a portable 3D scanner. SaskPolytech reports that with the addition of this technology, its Research, Additive Manufacturing and Prototyping facility is the most advanced 3D printer facility in Saskatchewan. SaskPolytech (Gene Haas) (SK) SaskPolytech (Saskatoon)
