Top Ten
January 31, 2020
USherbrooke receives $7M to create library, training centre for health sciences
The Université de Sherbrooke has received $7M from the Government of Quebec for the construction of the Carrefour du savoir, a centre that will advance medicine and health science research. The new building that will house a library and a training centre. It will incorporate state-of-the-art equipment, individual and collaborative work areas, training rooms, and relaxation areas. Construction of the hub is expected to be completed in December 2022. USherbrooke | Newswire (QC)
St Mike's, UofT, PIMS sign MOU to explore collaborative possibilities
The University of St Michael’s College, the University of Toronto, and the Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies (PIMS) have signed a memorandum of understanding to promote research, teaching, and publication opportunities. The five-year agreement will involve collaborative activities, such as joint academic seminars or colloquia and scholarly collaboration, and will include annual meetings to allow the three parties to discuss areas of mutual interest, opportunities for further engagement, and operational issues. “Our continuing goal is to build even more synergy with these important partners, precisely at this time when students and society are rediscovering the importance and the beauty of studying the humanities," said St Mike's President David Sylvester. St Mike's (ON)
Cégep Montpetit partners with UQAM, USherbrooke to offer two new DEC-BAC programs
Cégep Édouard Montpetit has announced the launch of two new DEC-BAC programs in International Management and Computer Science Programming. The DEC-BAC in International Management will be offered in partnership with the Université du Québec á Montréal, and will allow students to attain a technical DEC in Business Management and a bachelor's degree in Business Administration, International Management in four years. The DEC-BAC in Integrated Computer Science (Programming) will be delivered in partnership with Université de Sherbrooke and will allow students to complete the Computer Science program, Programming profile and the Bachelor in Computer Science in less than five years. Both programs will begin in fall 2020. Cégep Montpetit (QC)
FNBFA releases white paper detailing arguments against performance-based funding
The Federation of New Brunswick Faculty Associations has released a white paper explaining why the organization is against the use of performance-based funding of public universities. The top four reasons for the association's opposition to performance-based funding include: redundancy given existing measures, misunderstandings around public universities, inefficacy of the funding model to solve issues, and inconsistency, as public universities need more consistent funding to fulfil teaching and research missions. "What New Brunswick universities need to ensure a quality education and research is an adequate multi-year investment with a guarantee that academic freedom and institutional autonomy will be maintained," the document concludes. FNBFA (NB)
A guide to establishing, enforcing emotional boundaries while teaching
One the most important things that I d[o] to take care of myself [is] establish clear emotional boundaries while teaching, writes Andrea Eidinger. While the author notes that she supports pedagogy that emphasize empathy, she notes that it is just as important for instructors to prioritize self-care. Writing from her experience as a sessional instructor, the author offers eight tips for establishing and enforcing emotional boundaries while teaching: schedule email time, allow for 'cool-down' periods after grade return, honour your office hours, provide students with information regarding other institutional supports, establish clear expectations, set definite times for the end of the work day and week, and maintain your life outside of work. University Affairs (National)
Algonquin launches Learning Centre
Algonquin College has launched a Learning Centre for corporate training in downtown Ottawa. The 8,800-foot space will host programming for individuals looking to retrain, update their skills, and develop new ones. The Centre is designed to promote collaborative learning accented by digital learning tools, flexible floorplans, and moveable walls. “We wanted an environment that really gets people talking and gets people thinking outside of the box,” said Algonquin Executive Director of Business Development Doug Wotherspoon. “If you want people to be creative, you have to put them in a creative environment.” Algonquin (ON)
HEC Montréal, UMontréal partner to deliver 10 joint bachelor degrees
HEC Montréal and the Université de Montréal have partnered to offer ten new joint bachelor degrees that students can earn by combining certificates across the institutions. Students can earn two certificates at HEC Montréal in areas related to management in subjects like business analysis – information technology; creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship; direction et leadership; and finance. Students will then combine these certificates with one certificate or minor from the UMontréal in a complementary discipline to earn a degree. "With these new bachelor’s degrees in management, we are offering something more closely geared to students’ and employees’ needs and to the evolving labour market,” said HEC Montréal Director of Certificate Programs Pénélope Codello. HEC Montréal (QC)
Laurentian shelves mascot as committee reviews its alignment with inclusivity mandate
Laurentian University has placed their current mascot on "indefinite hiatus" while a committee reviews the need for the symbolic figure. Victor the Voyageur, described by CBC as a "bearded, toque-wearing caricature of a French-Canadian explorer" has been critiqued for failing to reflect the institution's push to be inclusive. "I think that when you can see yourself reflected in all different places, that's where a sense of belonging comes," said Laurentian interim Associate Vice President of Academic Indigenous Shelly Moore-Frappier. "It's about changing that campus culture, making that shift to ‘everyone belongs here,’ and not just a select privileged few." CBC (ON)
Trent's contract instructors, MtA Faculty Association poised for labour action; UBCFA reaches agreement
CUPE 3908 at Trent University and the Mount Allison Faculty Association at Mount Allison University are currently negotiating with institutions on labour and employment agreements. Part-time academic workers at Trent have voted to give their bargaining committee a strong mandate to take whatever action they feel is needed to achieve a fair agreement. Full-time professors and librarians at MtA have voted to strike as early as Monday if a new collective agreement cannot be reached. Both unions have raised concerns about decreases in full-time faculty positions. The University of British Columbia and the University of British Columbia Faculty Association recently reaches an agreement that will cover almost 4,200 professors, instructors, lecturers, sessional lecturers, librarians and program directors in extended learning. Financial Post | CBC |BC (National)
UCW to launch new campus at Vancouver House by mid-2020
The University Canada West has announced it will be launching a new campus at the Vancouver House tower in downtown Vancouver to expand their business-orientated educational program offerings. UCW will begin delivering programs at the Vancouver House campus by mid-2020 and will host over 3,400 new students in two state-of-the-art buildings with a total of 90,000 square feet of space. “Our new campus, in the centre of one of the world's most livable cities, will give students the skills they need with leading MBA and tech-based programs," said CEO of Global University Systems Canada Cyndi McLeod. UCW (BC)
