Top Ten
September 23, 2019
International students more likely to graduate from PSE, earn less: StatsCan
A new report from Statistics Canada has found that while international students are more likely to graduate from PSE and possess more characteristics associated with higher earnings, they earn less in the years following graduation. The study compares three groups of students – Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and international students – and examines enrolment, graduation, and postgraduate earnings related to five postsecondary programs. The study also found that international students were less likely to work while enrolled in PSE. Further, it found that international students generally possessed “more characteristics associated with higher earnings than Canadian students,” but earned less than domestic students six years after graduation after controlling for demographics and qualifications. StatsCan | Report (National)
UoGuelph ‘buzzes’ with excitement, attains substantial funding for new $12M bee research centre
The University of Guelph has received a substantial charitable donation from the Riviere Charitable Foundation that will be used to build a new $12M facility to house the Honey Bee Research Centre. Research conducted at the centre will aim to better understand factors that contribute to the detrimental health of honey bees and other pollinators. Recent changes in the health and number of honey bees present “a serious problem threatening our food system and environment. Improving the health of bees and other pollinators is critically important,” says UoGuelph President Franco Vaccarino. UoGuelph (ON)
Debate emerges over humanities’ “fear of judgement” essay
Professors Gabrielle Starr and Kevin Dettmar have authored a rebuttal to Michael Clune’s recent essay stating that humanities scholars should reclaim the authority to tell students which books are worth valuing. The authors argue that rather than teaching students what to value, professors teach them to better understand why they value what they do, which can open the door to better understanding why others value what they do. They add that the humanities teaches a set of metacognitive skills that help students understand differences rather than communicate universals. Clune has since issued a rebuttal in which he argues that Starr and Dettmar’s claim to be experts in empathy is much more elitist than his own, and that it still does not explain how they select books for their syllabi. Chronicle (Subscription Required) | Chronicle (Clune Response) (Subscription Required) (International)
UWindsor students open new student chapter of organization promoting women in cybersecurity
Several University of Windsor students have formed the first student chapter of Women in CyberSecurity (WICyS) in Canada, reports the Windsor Star. Of the 1,000 students enrolled in UWindsor’s computer science program, only 88 identify as female, states UWindsor student Ikjot Saini. The goal of the UWindsor student chapter of WICyS is to build a cyber technology and security community to encourage the participation of women in related local industries. “Cybersecurity has traditionally been a male-dominated field. The WiCyS chapter is an important step to increasing diversity,” states UWindsor Dean of Science Chris Houser. Windsor Star (ON)
How to incentivize faculty to participate in online learning: Cassick
“How do we convince faculty to take professional development courses – and come back for more?” asks Shawna Cassick. Using Penn State University’s World Campus Faculty Development as an example, the author describes three incentives that have successfully encouraged faculty to participate in online learning: awarding certificates to demark learning goals and achievements, creating advising programs that aid in faculty program or certificate selection, and offering financial incentives for successful participants. The author notes that with the help of these incentives, Penn State has “had more than 1,000 course enrollments in both 2018 and 2017, and we are on track to exceed that number in 2019.” Campus Technology (International)
SMU addresses changes in language education through new Masters in Teaching English program
Saint Mary’s University has launched its new International Masters in Teaching English program (IMTE), which aims to prepare graduates for teaching English as an additional language in an international setting. The program aims to address research demonstrating “that the majority of future English language teachers in non-English-speaking countries will be non-native speakers of English,” says a SMU release. Through its partnership with Cambridge University, SMU can offer IMTE students a pathway to the Cambridge Teacher Framework. The current cohort for the IMTE program is comprised of 14 international students from countries such as Iran, Japan, China, Mexico, and India. SMU (NS)
UVic, local health groups partner to provide mobile end-of-life support to people in poverty
University of Victoria, Island Health, Victoria Cool Aid, and Victoria Hospice have launched a new mobile palliative care program designed to address inequality in providing care to those with life-limiting illnesses who are homeless or living in poverty in Victoria. The Palliative Outreach Resource Team (PORT) connects people with serious illnesses to their caregivers, palliative care, and other support systems. “Palliative care isn’t a ‘thing’ or a ‘place’ but an approach that focuses on whole-person care for the person, their family and community,” said UVic palliative care researcher Kelli Stajduhar. “This approach necessitates a community response where everyone sees their responsibility and their part in care for the dying.” UVic (BC)
UQAM, Support Staff Union reach agreement in principle
l’Université du Québec à Montréal has announced that it has reached an Agreement-in-Principle with Le Syndicat des employés de soutien de l’Université du Québec à Montréal (SEUQAM). The strike began on Tuesday, September 3rd and continued until the announcement of the agreement this Tuesday. The ratified agreement provides wage increases of 2% for the year 2018 and 0.75% plus a lump sum of 1% for 2019, reports the Journal de Montréal. For the year 2020, the union members will obtain an increase of 1.25% or PSG (government wage policy) if this is greater than 1.25%. La Presse | Journal de Montréal (QC)
CNC receives $1M donation for trades, technology training
The College of New Caledonia has received a $1M donation to support trades and technology training from lumber manufacturer John Brink. With the first installment of the funds to be released in 2020, CNC’s interim President Tara Szerensci indicates that there are multiple uses for the donation: “We can certainly upgrade shop equipment and training aids, we can even do facility shop and upgrades, student awards. We can even put funding towards developing new curriculum and trying to launch new programs. There are so many options for a gift like this.” Prince George Citizen (BC)
Lakehead, Maple Leaf Education open private high school on campus
Maple Leaf Education has opened a private high school on Lakehead University’s campus in a move Lakehead says will help strengthen international recruiting in Asia. Maple Leaf has opened two other high schools on Canadian university campuses, both in BC. "Moreover than getting just the students that maybe want to stick around and go to university here, this is ... the largest school provider in China for private education," said Lakehead Interim Provost and VP of Academics David Barnett of Maple Leaf Education. "The affiliation ... is certainly a great way for us to explore international student recruitment more broadly in China and beyond." CBC (ON)
