Top Ten
September 27, 2019
Investigation finds international student growth has left students overwhelmed, educators frustrated
Last year alone, international students provided $21.6B into campuses, communities and economies nation-wide, but reporters from the St Catharine's Standard and the Toronto Starinvestigated whether Canadian colleges are equipped to support the influx of international students. The investigation found that international enrolment had risen dramatically in the past five years, following changes to Canada’s immigration policies in 2014, and that the unprecedented growth leaving student overwhelmed and educators frustrated. “A lot of colleges saw this international opportunity as the goose that lays the golden egg,” says Algonquin College faculty member Enrico De Francesco. The Star highlights the many barriers, financial difficulties, and housing problems that international students face in coming to Canada. “Our members have talked about the stress and impacts of the influx of students,” said RM Kennedy OPSEU chair of the college faculty division. “We are not prepared for this. There are not enough front-end services to support these students with housing and counselling in their transition.” The Star | The Star (National)
BCcampus announces nation-wide expansion of open education directory
BCcampus has announced that it has expanded its Post-Secondary Directory to include open educational activities, resources, and support for all postsecondary institutions in Canada. The resource provides links to organizations and post-secondary institutions that have posted open educational resources and practice guides. BC Campus reports that the purpose of the directory is to “provide a means of sharing ideas and practices so that both the individual searching for assistance in their region or home institution and their colleagues at other colleges and universities can be easily located.” BCcampus (BC)
Humber to close Orangeville Campus as of June 2021
Humber College has announced that it will be closing its Orangeville Campus as of June 2021. The college first signed an MOU with the Town of Orangeville to establish a satellite campus in 2005. The college states that the campus’ net operating loss in the past few years, ongoing enrolment challenges, reductions in tuition revenue, and increasing operating costs have all contributed to the decision. “Over the years, we have been grateful to have a supportive partner in the Town of Orangeville,” Humber President Chris Whitaker. “We will make every effort to support all individuals who are impacted by this decision.” Humber adds that local learners will be able to access postsecondary programming at Georgian College’s Orangeville campus. Humber (ON)
Georgian to launch two new programs in Orangeville
Georgian College reports that “following the decision by Humber College to close its Orangeville Campus,” it will be launching new Social Service Worker and Early Childhood Education programs at its Orangeville campus in Fall 2020. “Georgian has delivered academic programing as well as career and employment services in Orangeville for decades,” says Georgian President MaryLynn West-Moynes. “We want to assure the community Georgian is committed to offering programs that will ensure quality graduates are ready to serve them and meet the demands of employers.” Georgian (ON)
UNBC launches origami raven project to encourage dialogue around reconciliation
The University of Northern British Columbia has launched the 1000 Ravens for Reconciliation project, a campus-wide endeavour to mobilize an important First Nations symbol to represent the institutional wish for reconciliation. In partnership with UNBC’s First Nations Centre, the project welcomes students, faculty, and staff to the institution’s Gathering Place to make origami replicas of the bird. The goal is to make 1,000 origami ravens in one year. “This is a tremendous opportunity for our University community to engage in a meaningful hands-on activity that we hope will spark dialogue around the challenging topics addressed in the Truth and Reconciliation report,” said UNBC President Daniel Weeks. UNBC | Prince George Citizen (BC)
YorkU expands partnership with IBM, offers commerce courses at company’s headquarters
York University has built upon its existing partnership with IBM Canada by offering academic programming at the company’s Markham headquarters for the first time. Third and fourth-year School of Administrative Studies students can take Bachelor of Commerce courses at the new location, which provides them with the opportunity to participate in a high-profile and dynamic environment. “Partnerships such as these are demonstrative of how cities, education institutions and technology companies can come together to shape the learning experience for students and build the skills of tomorrow,” said IBM’s Vice President Enterprise and Commercial Beth Bell. YorkU (ON)
ITHQ partners with Marriott, enables students to train with industry professionals
The Institut de tourisme et d’hôtellerie (ITHQ) Québec has announced a new three-year partnership with the Marriott International hotel group. The partnership will enable students from select hospitality and tourism programs to participate in Marriott’s Executive Education Program, receiving management development and mentoring training from experienced professionals in the field. With this agreement, Marriott joins Relais & Château, Accor, Sandals, and Club Med in partnering with the institute. ITHQ (QC)
Kenjgewin Teg opens Anishinabek Skills and Innovation Research Centre
Kenjgewin Teg Educational Institute has announced the opening of its new Anishinabek Skills and Innovation Research Centre, a specialized training facility that aims to address the lacking education resources on Manitoulin and to contribute to trade sector growth. The new centre includes spaces equipped to host electrical, plumbing, welding, and carpentry classes, as well as rooms that facilitate technological and theory-based learning. While Kenjgewin Teg welcomes both Indigenous and non-Indigenous adult learners, President Stephanie Roy notes that the opening of the centre continues the institution’s goal of “no more research about us, without us. We will play an integral role in research in the North.” Manitoulin Expositor (ON)
UTM rebrands sustainability office, introduces new mandate to align with tri-campus efforts
The University of Toronto Mississauga has rebranded its Environmental Affairs Office as the Sustainability Office and introduced a new mandate for the office, a change which comes as the institution streamlines its tri-campus approach to sustainability. “The new name aligns with the other sustainability offices at Scarborough and St. George, and it’s also a more recognizable name for the UTM community,” says Ahmed Azhari, director of utilities and sustainability with UTM’s Facilities Management & Planning team. “We are working towards a common goal—to make the University of Toronto a leading institution in sustainability, to minimize our environmental impact and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.” UTM adds that a new Principal’s Sustainability Advisory committee will help to develop short- and long-term sustainability priorities for the campus. UTM (ON)
Colleges Ontario KPIs reveal over 86% of ON college graduates find employment within six months
Colleges Ontario has released Key Performance Indicators (KPI) for the province’s 24 colleges. Data from the surveys revealed that over 86% of Ontario’s most recent college students found employment within six months of graduation. The report also states that 90% of employers and 80% of graduates were satisfied with the quality of college students’ education. “Our programs ensure graduates have acquired the professional and technical expertise that leads to rewarding careers,” says President of Colleges Ontario Linda Franklin. “This will be essential in the years ahead as the demand continues to grow for a more highly qualified workforce.” Colleges Ontario (ON)
