Top Ten
September 3, 2019
Concordia, McGill receive more than $8.2M for oil spill research
The Government of Canada has announced that Concordia University and McGill University will receive over $8.2M for four research projects that will help improve protocols and decision-making to minimize the environmental impacts of oil spills. According to a release, the Concordia projects will study the effectiveness of washing agents in shoreline oil spill cleanups and investigate the pathways and processes that move oil spilled at sea from one place to another. McGill will examine the ability of microbes to naturally break down oil spills in order to develop potential remediation strategies in the Canadian Arctic. Canada (QC)
CASA, 36 student associations launch nationwide voting campaign
The Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA) and 36 student associations from across Canada will be launching a nationwide “Get out the Vote” campaign to encourage students to vote in the federal election. The non-partisan campaign will see student leaders lead events, host all-party debates, and utilize street teams to engage students on campus. “Throughout the Get Out the Vote campaign, we will be asking students to pledge to vote either online at getoutthevote.ca or on a paper pledge form,” explains Adam Brown, Chair of CASA and VP External at the University of Alberta Students’ Union. “Studies have shown that having a person promise to vote, especially to a peer, is an effective way of ensuring that they show up on voting day.” CASA (National)
BrandonU approves centre focused on rural mental health studies
Brandon University has approved the creation of a Centre for Critical Studies of Rural Mental Health. The centre will support new and ongoing research on rural and remote mental health and wellness, as well as providing a space for cross-disciplinary research that explores the topic from different angles. “Mental health affects so many different groups of people, no one academic discipline, profession, or community holds the solutions to better mental health and well-being” said the Centre’s Founding Director, Rachel Herron. “The centre will bring different groups of people together to work on, share and improve what we know as well as how we respond to mental health problems.” BrandonU (MB)
Gender pay gap shrinks with higher qualifications: Study
New research from the University of Guelph has found that the gender pay gap diminishes with higher education levels and that the average wage for male and female PhD graduates is the same. The Guelph Mercury reports that the study looked at Statistics Canada’s 2013 national graduates survey, focusing on data from three years after graduation. A release states that the research “offered a glimpse into labour market outcomes before the influence of factors such as maternity leave and level of occupational commitment.” According to the study, male and females with PhDs both make about $70K per year three years after graduation, with discrepancies in pay emerging with lower levels of education. Trades saw the largest gap, with men averaging $40.5K a year compared to women at $32.5K. UoGuelph | Guelph Mercury (National)
PermafrostNet receives $5M from NSERC
PermafrostNet, a Canadian research network consisting of 12 universities and over 40 partner organiations, has received over $5M over five years from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). The network will be led by Carleton University Professor Stephan Gruber. While permafrost underlies more than one-third of the Canadian land service,Carleton reports that nearly all of it will experience thaw during the 21st century. “With PermafrostNet, we contribute to building the relationships and the knowledge that Canada needs to adapt to widespread permafrost thaw in the long term,” explained Gruber. Carleton (QC)
Fleming, Royal Roads renew transfer agreement
Fleming College and Royal Roads University have renewed a transfer agreement that provides pathways to five Royal Roads bachelor degrees from 15 Fleming diploma programs. A release explains that eligible Fleming students in select programs can enter into their third year of study in Royal Roads’ Bachelor of Arts in International Hotel Management, Bachelor of Business Administration in Sustainability and International Business, Bachelor of Arts in Global Tourism, or Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Practice/ Bachelor of Science in Environmental Practice. “Fleming College is a true partner in building bright and prosperous futures for our students,” said Fleming President Maureen Adamson, “and we are pleased to continue our strong partnership with Royal Roads University to offer students national pathway opportunities.” Fleming (ON)
Okanagan, Scotiabank collaborate on online resources
Scotiabank has partnered with the Okanagan College’s School of Business to develop a series of free online courses that can help Canadian non-profit agencies with their professional development and training needs. A release states that the courses cover topics such as fundraising, fraud, project management, and servant leadership. “Through our workshops and via client road testing we’ve ensured these online courses are addressing that skills gap that was the foundation of the program” said Professor Kyleen Myrah. Scotiabank has donated $200K to support the program over five years. Okanagan (BC)
MUN celebrates investments for Harsh Environment Research Facility
Memorial University, in partnership with York University, Concordia University, and the National Research Council of Canada, is establishing a new Harsh Environment Research Facility. Headed by Yuri Muzychka, Department Head of Mechanical Engineering at Memorial, the facility aims to strengthen the region’s infrastructure and expertise in technologies operating in harsh environments, such as the ocean, energy, shipping, and aerospace sectors. A release adds that the project is valued at more than $16M, with investments from the federal and provincial governments, as well as Husky Energy. Dean of Engineering and Applied Science Greg Naterer emceed an event in honour of the investments. Canada | MUN (NL)
Camosun to provide access to menstrual products in campus washrooms
Camosun College will provide free menstrual products in its washrooms, starting this fall. “By having the products in both gendered washrooms, we’re trying to remove stigma related to menstruation and increase awareness in cisgender males,” said Librarian Robbyn Lanning, who spearheaded the project. A Camosun release states that the initiative is in its pilot phase. Lanning will track the products’ use and gauge student feedback before making recommendations for next steps. According to a Plan International Canada 2018 report, 70% of women have missed school or work because of their periods. Camosun (BC)
CPA Ontario invests in the success of Brock’s Goodman School of Business
An investment from CPA Ontario into Brock University’s Goodman School of Business will support the appointment of three CPA Ontario Research Scholars within the School as well as the establishment of the CPA Ontario Centre for Public Policy and Innovation in Accounting at Goodman. A capital gift included in the investment will also give naming rights to an expansive gallery within Goodman’s new building. “At Brock University, we are committed to being in partnerships that benefit the greater public good,” said Brock President Gervan Fearon, “and it is wonderful to see our Goodman School work with partners like CPA Ontario to advance the educational experience of our students, and to celebrate the accomplishments of our faculty members.” BrockU (ON)
