Top Ten
February 10, 2020
ON invests almost $37.4M in research projects across the province
The Government of Ontario has announced that it is investing nearly $37.4M in 183 research projects at 23 institutions. The investments will help researchers build or upgrade state-of-the-art labs and equipment, and supporting key projects focused on industry and human health. "Ontario is open for business and open for jobs, and research leads to new knowledge that can help our businesses and improve quality of life for our families," said ON Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade Vic Fedeli. "Supporting our researchers today is an investment in a bright future of health care advances, new technology, new companies and jobs." ON (ON)
RRC partners with North Forge to create innovation, entrepreneurial ecosystem for MB
Red River College, North Forge Technology Exchange, and North Forge East have partnered to help entrepreneurs realize innovative ideas and projects. Together, the three organizations aim to increase the success rate of entrepreneurial activity, provide real project-based learning opportunities for students, and encourage investment and growth in start-up companies in Manitoba. “This [partnership] will allow us to expand the services we provide to our entrepreneurs-in-residence and provide our students with additional resources and technology to enhance their skills," said RRC Chair of Applied Computer Education Haider Al-Saidi. RRC (MB)
Cégep RDL receives $4.9M in funding for bio-transformational research
The Cégep de Rivière-du-Loup's Groupe de recherche en environnement et biotechnologie (Environmental and Biotechnology Research Group) has received $4.9M in funding for research projects in anaerobic digestion and water treatment. The funds will help optimize regional water processes and set up a bio-transformation platform for key residual materials for the Bas-Saint-Laurent region. $2M of the funds came from NSERC, while $1.5M was donated by MRC de Rivière-du-Loup, la Ville de Rivière-du-Loup, and several regional companies. Cégep RDL also received $575K from the Canada Foundation for Innovation and the Government of Quebec. Cégep RDL(QC)
RDC decides to retain 'Kings and Queens' name for Red Deer University athletics
Red Deer College has announced that it will keep the Kings and Queens names for its Red Deer University athletic teams after receiving community feedback. The college reports that more than 1,000 people provided their feedback on the names, with many indicating that they felt represent both the College’s history and the future of Red Deer University. “It’s very important that people understand our decision to keep the names is based on the extensive positive feedback,” said RDC President Peter Nunoda, noting that the institution did not include hateful or derogatory comments received through social media in the consideration process. “Reflecting on this process, we recognize that we needed to reach out to you sooner for your feedback on what Red Deer University Athletics should look like, before deciding that we would change the names." RDC (AB)
How to engage in service work without becoming burnt-out, bitter
People who do too much service can take longer to advance in their careers, are often unhappy with how service is distributed in the department, and are more likely to burn out or leave the academy, write Rachel McLaren and Anthony Ocampo. Recognizing that many people in higher ed want to continue their service work, but are unsure how to manage its seemingly endless demand, the authors provide four strategies for continuing service and retaining healthy boundaries: know ahead of time you will have to say no to some things, and plan for it; develop and refine your priorities; search out committees you are interested in serving instead of allowing others to approach you; and work for a fairer service work system. Inside Higher Ed (International)
Queen's partners with Ottawa accelerator to support women-led tech companies
Queen's University has partnered with L-SPARK to launch an acceleration program for women founders of tech businesses in the Kingston region. Titled Compass North, the program will provide participants with embedded mentorship and will also include additional features that focus on reducing barriers commonly faced by women entrepreneurs who are building technology-based companies. “Through this program, founders will gain access to hands-on mentorship, strategic training, and access to a tight-knit community of entrepreneurs," said L-SPARK Senior Marketing Manager Stef Reid. "We are thrilled to be a part of this initiative, which helps position Canada as a global leader in technology.” Queen's (ON)
UAlberta alters name of two certificate programs to 'Indigenous'
The University of Alberta's Faculty of Native Studies has formally changed the names of two of their certificates to better reflect the discipline. Both the embedded and stand-alone certificates in Aboriginal Governance and Partnership will be renamed “Indigenous Governance and Partnership.” The change was approved unanimously at the academic planning committee of General Faculties Council. UAlberta documents supporting the name-change explains, "the proposal to change the term ‘Aboriginal’ to ‘Indigenous’ emulates current practices and usage, [and] allows for the ability to compare elements at the international level.” Students currently enrolled in either certificate will receive the new name on their parchment. NationTalk | The Gateway (AB)
UQÀM, UQTR announce creation of Canada Research Chair positions addressing sustainability issues
The Université du Québec à Montréal and the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières have announced the creation of Canada Research Chairs in sustainability. The new research chair focused on eau et conservation du territoire (Water and Land Conservation) at UQÀM, supported by a $500K donation from Tamar and Patrick Pichette, will investigate the hydrological dynamics of wetlands, and the connections between different types of natural environments and groundwater. UQTR's new chair focused on Optimisation nergétique des systèmes de transport intelligent (Energy Optimization of Intelligent Transportation Systems) will explore how sensors used on autonomous driving vehicles could be used to optimize a vehicle's energy consumption. UQÀM | UQTR (QC)
Georgian, Barrie partner to launch social innovation projects
Georgian College has partnered with the City of Barrie to launch new projects under The Shift Government Project, an initiative that aims to address social issues related to housing, social isolation, and food insecurity. One of the projects pairs 55+ adults wishing to share their home with local university or college students seeking affordable housing in exchange for companionship or assistance with household tasks. These projects are “about helping seniors age well at home, helping students find housing, and helping residents get affordable, nutritious food through innovative partnerships that tackle root causes,” said City of Barrie Mayor Jeff Lehman. Georgian College (ON)
USherbrooke partners with DEL to offer students strategic mandates
The Université de Sherbrooke's École de gestion (School of Management) has partnered with the Développement économique de l’agglomération de Longueuil on programming for MBA students. Beginning Fall 2020, part-time MBA students will receive mandates that complement the specializations of the different cohorts. The expertise of DEL within its network of local businesses will help identify the resources that will best fit the educational objectives of the MBA program, as well as introduce students to practical projects that will allow them to integrate the knowledge acquired through the program. Courrier du Sud (QC)
