Top Ten
October 21, 2019
AB postsecondary institutions expecting three years of funding cuts, says leaked internal email
Alberta postsecondary institutions are expecting three consecutive years of public funding cuts according to an internal institutional email obtained by Postmedia. The email, written by department chair Brad Clark at Mount Royal University, reportedly indicates that the department is planning for 10% cuts in the first and second year, with a 5% cut in the third year. Clark has confirmed that he authored the email, adding that there is no panic about the funding cuts within the department, as he believes tuition increases could aid in offsetting lost public funding. AB Advanced Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides states that funding numbers have yet to be finalized for next week’s provincial budget. Edmonton Journal (AB)
Trinity at U of T receives $10M donation to support Integrated Sustainability Initiative
Trinity College at the Univrsity of Toronto has received a $10M donation to support sustainability initiatives across its campus. The centerpiece of the Integrated Sustainability Initiative will be a new human-centered building that will include a community kitchen that will enable teaching and learning about sustainable food practices. The Initiative will also create new academic programs and a new Director of Sustainability to support academic programming. “By integrating principles of sustainability into daily life at Trinity—from the urban farming initiative to classroom and research opportunities to the broader student experience—the College aims to make a positive difference and show what is possible,” said Trinity Provost Mayo Moran. Trinity (ON)
New StatsCan report shines light on Canadian postsecondary pathways
Statistics Canada has released its 2010-2015 study of student pathways through postsecondary education. The study specifically looks at students enrolled in programs for college certificates and diplomas, undergraduate degrees, master's degrees, and doctoral degrees. The study found that 80% of undergraduate students were still in their program two years post-enrollment, that 40% of students finished their undergraduate programs in four years, that 74% had completed their degrees by their sixth year, and that students who began a college-level diploma were most likely to switch to another educational program. StatsCan (National)
George Brown receives $1M donation, creates scholarship for students in the skilled trades
George Brown College has received a $1M donation from Concert Properties Ltd to financially support students at the Centre for Construction and Engineering Technologies. The funds will be used to create Concert Properties and Partners Award, a scholarship that will each year support 24 first, second, or third-year students studying skilled trades at the Centre. Two-thirds of the gift will go towards expendable awards, and a third of the gift will go towards an endowment fund to sustain trade-related student scholarships. “Concert’s continued support for the students of the Centre for Construction and Engineering Technologies through this gift, will enact positive change in the lives of those students that is priceless,” said George Brown College Foundation President Cindy Gouveia. George Brown (ON)
AthabascaU launches virtual co-op program, students receive on-the-job training at their homes
Athabasca University’s Faculty of Business has launched a virtual cooperative experience powered by AI to further ensure that students are “work-ready and promotion-ready” after graduation. Starting in January 2020, senior Bachelor of Commerce students will use the AI tool to complete six projects that reflect various real-world scenarios in different industries. Moving forward, the virtual co-op program will serve as a model for other courses and programs to explore how AI-powered tools can further enhance educational opportunities. “Not only are the learners getting practical work experience, but they are also honing the soft skills that employers are after,” says AthabascaU Dean of the Faculty of Business Deborah Hurst. AthabascaU (AB)
UWaterloo delivers cooperative actuarial science training to Indonesian postsecondary institutions
The University of Waterloo is continuing to help private and state universities in Indonesia establish new cooperative actuarial science programs. The partnerships are facilitated by the Risk Management Economic Sustainability and Actuarial Science in Indonesia (READI) project, a five-year program instituted in 2015 by the Canadian government that aims to support Indonesian efforts to increase the number of actuaries in the country and formalize co-op in higher education. “This is something we can implement in Indonesia because sometimes there is a gap between students graduating from university and the marketplace,” says Pelita Harapan University Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology Eric Jobiliong. Maclean’s (ON)
USask, Saskatoon Tribal Council create mentorship program for Indigenous women in STEM and mining
The University of Saskatchewan is partnering with the Saskatoon Tribal Council to deliver a new mentorship program for Indigenous women thanks to a $133K investment from the International Minerals Innovation Institute. MentorSTEP will bring together roughly 20 members of the Saskatchewan mining community with Indigenous women at USask studying in STEM and related business, health, and environmental disciplines related to mining. A two-year pilot program, MentorSTEP also supports various research internships and activities, such as learning labs and site visits. USask | NationTalk (SK)
Northern Lakes launches online program, enables rural students to participate in tech sector
Northern Lakes College has launched a new online Computer Network Specialist certificate program that will provide rural students with new opportunities to participate in the information technology sector. The new program will allow students to digitally obtain the prerequisites necessary for entry-level positions in fields such as technical support, network or systems analysis, and information technology administration. “The Computer Network Specialist program will meet demand in the region for skilled computer networking and information technology personnel,” states Northern Lakes President Ann Everatt. Northern Lakes (AB)
Fanshawe partners with Riipen, employs software to connect students and businesses
Fanshawe College has partnered with Riipen to connect students and businesses to address education-employment skills gaps. Funded by RBC Future Launch, the collaboration will allow Fanshawe to use Riipen software, which allows employers to upload real-world projects and competitions for students to address, and professors to present student-led projects to external organizations. “Students across the country are faced with significant challenges in developing their professional networks, gaining career clarity and proving they have the skills required to succeed in the future of work,” says Riipen CEO Dana Stephenson. “Through these types of partnerships, we can help to support students' success post-graduation.” Fanshawe (ON)
Yukon launches Innovation and Entrepreneurship initiative, focuses on supporting women and FN
Yukon College has launched the Innovation and Entrepreneurship initiative to further support local entrepreneurs. Previously known as the Cold Climate Innovation initiative, the new project aims to help innovators and entrepreneurs take their ideas from concept to market, placing a strong focus on supporting women and First Nations entrepreneurs. This fall, the initiative is focused upon supporting projects underpinned by a social purpose. “From seasoned business owners to new entrepreneurs who have a market ready idea, we aim to support Yukoners who want to take their innovations further,” said Manager of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Lauren Manekin Beille. Yukon | NationTalk (YK)
