Top Ten
August 26, 2019
CICan, Universities Canada to pilot study abroad initiative
The federal government has earmarked $147.9M for a global mobility program that will provide international experience and skills-training to 11,000 students. Within this program, Colleges and Institutes Canada and Universities Canada will administer the Outbound Student Mobility Pilot, a $95M initiative that seeks to boost participation rates for underrepresented students, diversify international opportunities, and reduce barriers to working and studying abroad. “The new Outbound Student Mobility Pilot is significant news for young Canadians, and for Canada. Canada’s universities look forward to working with our partners in government and the higher education sector to enable more students, from all backgrounds, to participate in global mobility experiences,” said Paul Davidson, President of Universities Canada. Universities Canada | CICan (National)
Trent, Limerick sign MOU to facilitate exchanges and research collaboration
Trent University has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Limerick to facilitate student and faculty exchanges and enhance research collaboration opportunities. "We are excited to be in Ireland to explore new opportunities for Trent to collaborate with leading higher education institutions such as the University of Limerick," said Trent Associate Vice President International Glennice Burns. "With strong links to business and industry, UL excels at translational research which creates opportunities for both faculty and students overseas. Establishing robust international partnerships is critical to this effort." A release from Trent adds that the MOU will expand Trent’s study abroad network into 36 countries. Trent (ON)
Latimer: Green chemistry labs teach students a sustainable and innovative mindset
Green chemistry can bring multiple benefits to students, academics, and industry, writes Devin Latimer. Students can learn to think critically about their field, while instructors can facilitate principles of green chemistry into professional practices. Latimer goes on to offer several examples of how green chemistry can encourage students to pursue sustainable production methods in the lab. “To change the mindset of the chemical industry from being economically driven to being sustainability driven,” Latimer concludes, “scientists must develop new scientific processes that prioritize environmental considerations." The Conversation (International)
VFS, CapilanoU announce four new pathways
Vancouver Film School and Capilano University have signed a degree pathway partnership. A release from CapilanoU states that the agreement consists of pathways in Digital Design, Acting for Film and Television, Writing for Film, Television, and Games, and Film Production. Students will now be able to complete both a diploma at VFS and a bachelor degree at CapilanoU in three years of full-time study. “This is a special partnership for Vancouver Film School,” said Jon Bell, Managing Director of VFS. “Capilano University’s standard of excellence and commitment to academic achievement speaks for itself, and will enable us to create a route for creatives looking for new career opportunities.” CapilanoU (BC)
BrockU receives CPA accreditation for accounting program
The Goodman School of Business at Brock University has expanded its Chartered Professional Accountant designation to include its Master of Professional Accounting program. A BrockU release states that the program provides tailored programs and pathways for international students. “This expanded accreditation from CPA Ontario is a key step forward for the Goodman School of Business and the programs it offers,” said BrockU President Gervan Fearon. “As a University, we’re committed to providing professional and innovative academic programming that sets our students up for success in their careers.” BrockU (ON)
Attewell and Walling: The Value of an Incomplete Degree
A new study out of the US compares employment and earnings of those who do not go beyond high school with those who attend college without completing a credential. The authors find that students with “some college” are considerably more likely to be employed fifteen years after high school graduation and tend to earn significantly more than their counterparts who do not go to college. The findings apply to different demographics, with low-income students, women, and students of colour generally experiencing the greatest improvements in labor outcomes from college attendance. Although college dropouts do not fare as well as graduates, the authors conclude that an incomplete college education nevertheless acts as a “stepping stone” for a better career outcome. Study (International)
Champlain takes on ecofriendly plan, stops offering single-use plastic
Champlain College Saint Lambert has announced that it is collaborating with the food service provider Excelso and the Follett's Bookstore on an ecofriendly plan that will see the discontinuation of single-use plastic carryout bags as well as disposable plastic food service ware on campus. The campus will also stop making bottled water and non-recyclable containers, plates, and cups available. Champlain plans to introduce a “bring your own dish” program for take-out in January 2020. Champlain (QC)
NL releases $1.15M for research projects at CNA
The Newfoundland government is investing $1.15M for three research projects through the Newfoundland and Labrador Workforce Innovation Centre, an initiative administered by College of the North Atlantic. A release explains that the funds will support a pilot project that explores best practices in the delivery of employment programs, services, and supports for at-risk youth and young adults aged 15 to 40; a research-based program to support social enterprise throughout the province; and an entrepreneurial partnership with the Vine Place Community Centre. “Workforce development is a priority for our government and we look forward to continuing to support economic growth and diversification through the Newfoundland and Labrador Workforce Innovation Centre in Corner Brook,” said Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour Bernard Davis. CNA (NL)
USask, UManitoba, UMinnesota, Opaskwayak work together on sustainable housing design
The University of Saskatchewan, University of Manitoba, and University of Minnesota are working with members of the Opaskwayak Cree Nation in northern Manitoba to build a Muskrat Hut. The project is aimed at addressing the Indigenous housing crisis by building a hut that will provide clean water, toilets, and food preparation areas for the Nation. “We’re really trying to be cognizant of the impact and footprint on the environment, so it’s got solar panels and it uses a incinerator toilet that leaves zero waste,” said USask Education Professor Alex Wilson. Wilson said that the project was spearheaded by Idle No More’s One House, Many Nations campaign and added that the hut is intended for community and cultural gatherings. 620 CKRM | CBC (SK)
Durham announces Certified Threat Intelligence Analyst program, receives AI Hub funding
Durham College has announced that its Hub for Applied Research in Artificial Intelligence for Business Solutions (AI Hub) will deliver a new Certified Threat Intelligence Analyst Training program. The three-day course has been designed and developed collaboratively with international cyber security and threat intelligence experts, and will prepare students for the EC-Council's Certified Threat Intelligence Analyst Certification exam. Durham’s AI Hub also recently received $210K from Ontario Centre of Excellence for the College Voucher for Technology Adoption (CVTA) program. The program will see the college’s AI Hub work with 21 SMEs who are facing barriers related to the adoption of AI solutions and capabilities. Durham (Program) | Durham (OCE Funding) (ON)
