Top Ten
February 3, 2020
Trent, Ontario Tech partner to deliver MScN program in Professional Practice Leadership
Trent University and Ontario Tech University have partnered to offer a Master of Nursing in Professional Practice Leadership degree. The program is geared toward registered nurses looking to develop their leadership skills. The program is delivered primarily online, with a one week, on-campus residency at either Trent or Ontario Tech. "The Ontario Tech-Trent MScN program will empower students to effectively advocate for, and engage in, the design of an improved health-care system," said Ontario Tech Interim Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences Bernadette Murphy. "We look forward to building on the program and research strengths of both institutions as we welcome new students as well as those who have previously completed their nursing education at Ontario Tech or Trent.” Trent | Ontario Tech (ON)
Sask Polytech, SCSA partner to engage learners in construction safety
Saskatchewan Polytechnic has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Saskatchewan Construction Safety Association (SCSA) to explore opportunities to collaboratively engage more Saskatchewan learners in construction safety. This five-year agreement has a goal of increasing construction safety participation from youth, as well as underrepresented groups including women, Indigenous learners, and learners in remote communities. "This five-year agreement will strengthen our great working relationship and create new and exciting construction safety training opportunities for learners in Saskatchewan,” said Sask Polytech Dean of the Joseph A Remai School of Construction Paul Carter. Sask Polytech (SK)
McMaster to launch master MSc psychotherapy program to meet provincial demand
McMaster University has announced the creation of a new Psychotherapy MSc program. The program, created in response to updated legislation about who can provide the controlled act of psychotherapy, will train students in evidence-based psychotherapies and provide opportunities for students to develop and apply their clinical skills. The 20-month program will require students to complete 11 courses and two clinical practicum placements. “This new program meets an important provincial need, as Ontario will require many more trained psychotherapists, especially those with expertise in cognitive behavioural therapy," stated McMaster Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences Chair Nick Kates. McMaster (ON)
UQTR expands occupational therapy program to Drummondville campus
The Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières has announced the expansion of its baccalaureate program in health sciences (occupational therapy) to the school's Drummondville campus. Beginning Fall 2020, UQTR will add 32 seats to the program offered at the Drummondville location in order to make the program more accessible to students. The expansion of the program will also help meet provincial demand for occupation therapists. Program committee director Anick Sauvageau said that the Drummondville program will be the same as the one offered in Trois-Rivières; however, the school is still in the process of hiring more teachers and finding placements for interns. UQTR (QC)
Dal provides update on addressing recommendations from the Lord Dalhousie report
Dalhousie University has provided an update on how it is addressing the institutions entanglements with legacies of slavery identified in a report last year. To answer recommendations featured in the report, Dal has launched a number of initiatives including: hosting a conference that features the work of historians of slavery to campus, expanding the school's Black Studies minor into a major, and hiring a director of community engagement to develop strategies to serve African Nova Scotian communities. "While we are taking action to implement certain recommendations immediately," said Dal Vice-Provost, Equity and Inclusion Theresa Rajack-Talley, "the goal is to establish structures and systems that can institutionalize EDI so that negative aspects of our history, some of which were highlighted in the Lord Dal Report, are rectified and do not repeat themselves." Dal (NS)
MRU, Ambrose partner to offer pathways for music students
Mount Royal University has signed an agreement with Ambrose University to offer degree pathways for music students. Beginning Fall 2020, MRU Conservatory students enrolled in the Advanced Performance Program (APP) will be able to apply for and complete their BA of Music at Ambrose. Students currently enrolled in the APP who wish to pursue a bachelor’s degree will receive up to two years of credit Ambrose. “This initiative acknowledges the significant training our students receive here at the Conservatory while drawing upon the undergraduate programming available at Ambrose University to advance the academic goals of the student," said MRU Conservatory interim director Jean-Louis Bleau. MRU | Ambrose (AB)
Faculty are struggling with knowing how to transition to OER: Study
A recent American survey suggests that university and college instructors are struggling to figure out how to offer course materials at a lower cost for their students. While 82% of the 1,513 faculty at 21 higher education institutions surveyed said they are responsible for selecting course materials, 35% said they do not know how to reduce material costs. Barriers to participating in textbook affordability efforts included wondering where to start, lack of time, and bureaucracy/red tape. However, the survey also emphasized that awareness of open-education resources is up. "One-third of faculty members said they used open education resources in the past year, and 74 percent said they have at least some awareness of OER," concludes the report. Campus Technology (International)
Acadia launches student-athlete focused support program Acadia 4U
Acadia University and Acadia Athletics have launched Acadia 4U, a support program geared toward student athletes. Organized under four pillars of health, wellness, performance, and academics, the program's overall goal is to provide student athletes with clear pathways to supports should they need them. Through the program, services like health and wellness, academic, and student-athlete performance supports will be reorganized for greater continuity and accessibility. "Most times, these support systems have been in isolation from each other," said Acadia Executive Director of Athletics Kevin Dickie. "Now, under this program, they're all linked together to provide the most effective and efficient support for student-athletes as possible." Acadia (NS)
Canadian postsecondary institutions make Forbes’ Best Employers
19 Canadian institutions have made the list for Forbes’ 300 Best Employers rankings of 2020, with 14 of those institutions ranking within the top 100. The rankings are the result of a survey of 8,000 Canadians working for businesses with at least 500 employees. 10 universities were included in the Top 100: University of Toronto, Université de Sherbrooke, Simon Fraser University, Laval University, Queen’s University, University of Guelph, Ryerson University, Brock University, University of Victoria, and Western University. Four colleges ranked in the top 100: Algonquin College, Sheridan College, Douglas College, and Nova Scotia Community College. Forbes | Forbes (National)
Indigenous mural vandalized at Algonquin spurs Ottawa's hate crimes unit to investigate
Algonquin College has announced that it is working with the Ottawa Police hate crimes officers regarding the defacement of an Indigenous mural at the college last week. Algonquin officials report that someone smeared yellow paint over the hawk figure depicted in the three-storey mural that features representations of Indigenous stories of creation. In a statement, Algonquin President Claude Brulé stated that the college is taking the incident "very seriously" as the vandalism is not only in violation of the values of the college, but is particularly hurtful to Indigenous learners and employees. Brulé added that, "this is not the end of the story. In some Indigenous cultures, the hawk represents courage and wisdom [...] I promise you that, as soon as we are able, our mural will be fully restored and our hawk will fly freely once again." Algonquin | CBC (ON)
