Top Ten
December 10, 2019
UAlberta, deans release statements on the Holodomor amongst freedom of speech protestations
The University of Alberta, and two deans from the institution, have released statements addressing comments made by a sessional lecturer on his private Facebook page suggesting that the Holodomor—a mass genocide against Ukrainian people—is a myth. UAlberta issued a statement on Friday highlighting that the professor has the right of free expression, but adding that “his views do not represent and are not endorsed by the University of Alberta.” Dean of Education Jennifer Tupper and Dean of Arts Lesley Cormack also issued a joint statement on Friday highlighting the research and evidence of the Holodomor, and voicing their support for the Ukrainian community. However, there is also a coalition of 43 academics at UAlberta signed a letter responding to student union pressures that the professor “take back his Holodomor remarks or resign,” arguing that these requests encroached upon the professor’s right to freedom of expression. Global News | National Post (AB)
Loyalist, Northeastern partner for collaborative cannabis-based research
Loyalist College has partnered with Northeastern University to engage in innovative, application-based cannabis research. On Friday, the two institutions signed a MOU designed to benefit biosciences and cannabis applied science students, as well as advanced applied cannabis research at both institutions. “The Loyalist College and Northeastern University partnership will enable science-based investigations and to sustain the development of high quality, safe and effective cannabis products,” said Loyalist President Ann Marie Vaughan. “We’re delighted to partner with Northeastern and look forward to seeing the results of the applied cannabis research in the very near future.” Loyalist | The Intelligencer (ON)
MUN business faculty receives $1M from Husky Energy to create new centre of excellence
The business faculty at Memorial University has received just over $1M from Husky Energy to create the Husky Centre of Excellence in Sales and Supply Chain Management. A release states that the centre will bolster “practical expertise and empirical understanding of sales and supply chain management in the province.” The Western Star reports that the contribution includes a $600K donation to create the centre, as well as a commitment of $420K over three years toward co-operative education positions for business students to gain experience in the field. The federal government, through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), has also contributed $350K to the centre. Western Star (NL)
Tips for interviewing, negotiating in higher ed
What can higher ed professionals do to best position or prepare themselves for important, but often stress-inducing situations such as interviewing or negotiating? asks Joseph Barber. In terms of managing stress in an interview situation, Barber stresses the importance of preparedness, advising readers to research questions that are most likely to be asked and to prepare responses in advance, offering real-life examples showcasing your skills. For negotiating, the author offers similar advice, but stresses the importance of being informed about the topic you are discussing, and practising your negotiation strategy in advance of any discussions. Inside Higher Ed (International)
Fleming to work with aviation and aerospace partners with support of $1.5M from province
The Ontario government has announced that it will invest $1.5M over two years in the Peterborough area’s aviation and aerospace sector, creating up to 100 local training and career opportunities. The funded work will see Fleming College work with local industry partners to create curriculum to provide individuals with employable skills and technical training focused on the aviation industry. “The Provincial Government has created jobs and unlocked potential in the aviation and aerospace sector, which will have a profound impact on Peterborough and surrounding region,” said Fleming President Maureen Adamson. Fleming (ON)
BCIT partners with Vancouver Maritime Museum
The British Columbia Institute of Technology has partnered with the Vancouver Maritime Museum (VMM) to enhance the education of marine students at BCIT’s Marine Campus. The partnership will provide BCIT instructors access to an array of ship models as an aid in the teaching of the history of the maritime sector of the Pacific Northwest and Arctic. “VMM is an important partner in providing historical relevance to our students,” said BCIT Associate Dean Marine Campus Philip McCarter. “Through the study of these detailed ship models, we enable our students to understand the evolution of vessels, their present day applications, and to make globally relevant connections in their field of work.” BCIT (BC)
Yorkville partners with Supply Chain Canada to provide pathways for students
Yorkville University’s New Westminster campus has formalized an accreditation agreement with Supply Chain Canada. The agreement will provide advanced standing in the Supply Chain Management Professional™ Designation Program for graduates of Yorkville’s Bachelor of Business Administration Supply Chain Management specialization program. “This agreement does not just create a very smooth pathway for our students to obtain the SCMP, which is the single most recognized designation in Canada in the supply chain field, but it will also create endless opportunities for our students as they join such an incredible network of supply chain professionals,” said Yorkville Associate Dean of Business Eman Nasr. Yorkville (BC)
How to engage more professors in student mental health initiatives
How can professors who play “a vital role in the development of our students” help address the student mental health crisis? ask Alec D Gallimore, Robert D Braun, and Steven W McLaughlin. The authors offer four strategies that postsecondary institutions could implement to engage faculty in this area: build faculty knowledge through training programs, introduce new faculty to student mental health initiatives at orientation, implement faculty mentoring programs, and evaluate barriers to faculty participation in student mental wellness initiatives. “Faculty can play a highly influential role in helping all students cope with the rigors of education and achieve their full potential,” conclude the authors. Inside Higher Ed (International)
SPU opens new Centre for Safeguarding Minors and Vulnerable Persons
Last week, Saint Paul University launched the new Centre for Safeguarding Minors and Vulnerable Persons, which the school says is the first of its kind at a Catholic university in North America. An SPU release notes that the Centre works to help eliminate the threat and trauma of sexual abuse in society and within the Church, focusing on research and education, promoting prevention strategies, and offering healing assistance to those affected by sexual abuse. The Centre offers a variety of academic programs and professional development services, as well as direct services, including consultations and audits for community organizations that wish to evaluate and improve their safeguarding practices and policies. SPU (ON)
Camosun, VIU extend Women in Trades Training to serve remote communities
Camosun College is extending the scope of its partnership with Vancouver Island University to address the low representation of women in Red Seal and provincial trades for the Vancouver Island/Coast Region. Specifically, Camosun and VIU will expand their Women in Trades Training (WITT) program to women who were previously outside of the catchment area, offering supports for two streams of training: Women-only Trades Sampler Program and Pre-Apprenticeship (Foundation) or Apprenticeship programs. “By working together, we can break down some of the barriers that have resulted in a low representation of women in the trades on Vancouver Island,” says Camosun Coordinator of the Women in Trades Training Program Sarah-Jayne Roe. Camosun (BC)
