Top Ten
August 28, 2019
Canada outlines plans to expand international education
The Government of Canada has outlined its five-year plan to invest $30M over the next five years to diversify international recruitment at Canada’s postsecondary institutions, as well as allocating $95M for study-abroad initiatives for domestic students, reports the Globe and Mail. With more than half of the country’s current international students coming from China and India, the government hopes to attract students from Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Vietnam, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Morocco, Turkey, France and Ukraine. “We’re really pleased with the countries [the government] has chosen,” said Universities Canada President Paul Davidson. “We don’t want to be poachers of talent, we want to be partners.” The government’s efforts to expand international recruitment and study-abroad opportunities are part of a $148M international education strategy. Globe and Mail (National)
URegina receives $1.5M for theatre renovation
Philanthropist Ann Phillips has announced a $1.5M gift to support the Darke Hall renovation project at the University of Regina. “Arts, culture and performance have been an integral part of my family’s life in Regina, and a lifelong passion,” said Phillips. “To have the opportunity to be part of the rebirth of Darke Hall as a home for the arts in Regina is a privilege.” A release states that the renewal project will culminate in a 500 seat, accessible, cultural hub for performance, theatre, dance, and music. The renovations are scheduled for completion in early 2021. URegina (SK)
Selkirk celebrates opening of refreshed campus
Selkirk College has officially opened its refreshed Silver King Campus. A Selkirk release states that the refresh included renovations to three shop facilities and a new Student Commons Building. “Selkirk College is so grateful for the way that the Province of BC, the Government of Canada, Columbia Basin Trust and our industry, labour union and local government partners have come together to reimagine and renew the Silver King Campus,” said Selkirk President Angus Graeme. The release adds that the renovated shops will provide hands-on experience for programs including heavy mechanics, carpentry and welding. Selkirk (BC)
Intentionality in collaboration yields gains for all involved: Cialdella
“[T]hinking intentionally about collaboration during your time in graduate school and beyond can help you articulate how you will go about making contributions to projects that are larger than yourself,” writes Joseph Stanhope Cialdella. The author goes on to highlight three concepts to frame collaborative approaches: mutual benefit, the extent to which collaboration yields gains for everybody involved in the project; co-creation, which involves input from several collaborators; and shared authority, the ethical and equitable distribution of power amongst all involved. Cialdella adds that graduate students can downplay their own strengths while foregrounding the abilities of their partners, so it is also important to articulate one’s own collaboration style. Inside Higher Ed (International)
Queen’s introduces course about ban on black med school applicants
Queen’s University is launching a course about its history of banning black applicants to its medical school, reports the Canadian Press. The course was developed in response to a project by a PhD student that investigated the ban, which had been implemented to appease WWI veterans who did not want to be treated by black doctors. "We want to really acknowledge that history, grapple with it and look towards the future to think about what are the best policies (we can) put in place now to make sure we have a diverse profession," said Queen’s Assistant Professor Jenna Healey. Times Colonist (CP) (ON)
SaskPolytech, USask expand learning pathways with new agreement
A new agreement between Saskatchewan Polytechnic and the University of Saskatchewan enables graduates of the SaskPolytech Mining Engineering Technology diploma program to transfer into the Bachelor of Science in Engineering – Geological Engineering program at USask. “We’re committed to diversifying and growing our enrolment, so that our students bring a variety of experiences and perspectives into the classroom. This agreement helps us do that,” said Suzanne Kresta, Dean of the USask College of Engineering. “We’re happy we could work with Sask Polytech to benefit students and our schools.” A release states that the partnership is a one-year pilot that offers flexibility to mining engineering students while providing industry with career-ready graduates. NationTalk (SK)
Annual study shows high satisfaction with BC post-secondary schools
BC Students Outcomes, an annual report that asks former postsecondary students to evaluate their education, employment outcomes, and financial situation, has found that nine out of ten respondents were satisfied or very satisfied with their education. However, the Sooke Mirror also finds that men tend to dominate higher-paying jobs in the low-unemployment trade sector while women compete with each other in lower paying industries. The report adds that graduates of baccalaureate programs tend to pursue further studies, and that 41% of respondents pursued degrees outside of the “traditional academic trilogy” of the baccalaureate, masters, and PhD. Sooke Mirror (BC)
UTM consults with Indigenous group to name new building
In collaboration with Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, the University of Toronto Mississauga has officially named its newest building Maanjiwe nendamowinan. Formally endorsed by the Anishinaabemowin, the name roughly translates to “gathering of minds.” “On behalf of the entire U of T community, I would like to thank and congratulate all those involved in the naming of this key building on the UTM campus, including the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation,” said President Meric Gertler. A UTM release states that the 210,000-square-foot facility features a six-storey atrium and event space, 40,000 square feet of new classroom space, active learning classrooms, and more than 500 new study spaces. UTM (ON)
Rocque: Why academics should stop ranking themselves
The pressure to consistently publish in high-ranking academic journals can produce a state of “academic anomie,” writes Michael Rocque. While rankings are a useful way to measure trends in a given discipline, they should not be used to measure self-worth. If academics pursue their careers to do useful work, Rocque adds, they should not lose sight of the potential impact that work can have on both the public and their students. To that end, community engagement through forums such as newspapers, non-academic journals, or “boots-on-the-ground” organizations demonstrate the value of academic work beyond publishing metrics. Inside Higher Ed (International)
CICan renews green internships
Colleges and Institutes Canada is renewing its Natural Resources and Clean Tech internship programs, both of which are funded under Canada’s modernized Youth Employment and Skills Strategy. A release from CICan states that the programs will enable 230 young Canadians to access paid internships in the green economy. “Colleges and institutes play a vital role in ensuring that all Canadians, including those most vulnerable, have access to the skills they need to build meaningful careers thanks to hands-on learning opportunities,” said CICan President Denise Amyot. “Our Career-Launcher Internship program ensures young Canadians gain meaningful, paid experience to enter the workforce with confidence, and become more resilient in the face of disruption.” CICan (National)
