Top Ten
March 9, 2020
Canadian PSE receives funding, supports for COVID-19 research
The Government of Canada has raised its investment from $7M to nearly $27M into supports for COVID-19 related research. The investment will be provided through the country’s research councils – such as CIHR, CRCC, and IDRC – in the form of research grants to several institutions across the country. 47 teams will use the funds focus on accelerating the development, testing, and implementation of measures to deal with the COVID-19 outbreak. “Canada’s researchers are some of the best in the world, and this funding will allow them to conduct groundbreaking research on a novel coronavirus,” said Federal Minister of Health Patty Hajdu. “Protecting the health and well-being of all Canadians is our top priority, and the research conducted thanks to this funding will contribute to mitigating the outbreak of COVID-19.” Canada (National)
NS announces new seats, program expansions for health care
The Government of Nova Scotia has announced health care investments that will be used to train more doctors and nurses in the province. Specifically, NS has created 12 first-year medical seats at Dalhousie University, 70 first-year nursing seats at Cape Breton University and Dalhousie, and the launch of a South Shore residency and clerkship program at CBU this fall. "The additional seats now added to the program builds upon this success and will enable CBU to better assist the registered nurse workforce needs in Cape Breton, but more broadly, provincewide," said CBU President David Dingwall. "We are particularly pleased this new initiative seeks to encourage more African Nova Scotian and Indigenous students to pursue nursing careers and we look forward to substantial progress in achieving these desired outcomes." NS (NS )
UCW closes amidst presumptive COVID-19 cases, CDC releases response guidelines
University Canada West has responded to reports of two students with presumptive cases of COVID-19 by closing their campuses for three days for disinfection. UCW has identified one student as a presumptive case after the student visited their father who tested positive for COVID-19 after travelling overseas. The second student in isolation is a roommate of the other student. The CDC has released interim guidance for how higher education administrators should respond to COVID-19. Recommendations include developing information-sharing systems, putting together plans for online instruction, and sharing COVID-19 informational resources. CBC | UCW | CDC (BC, International)
ACC, Olds sign MOU to promote agricultural, environmental programming
Assiniboine Community College and Olds College have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance agricultural and environmental programming collaboratively. The agreement will allow the institutions to work together in a more official capacity and meet the labour market needs of the Prairies. Another aspect of the agreement will allow the schools to explore inter-institutional pathways. “We look forward to our partnership with Assiniboine Community College and working together to support the agriculture industry,” said Olds President Stuart Cullum. ACC (MB, AB)
BCIT renames business school to reflect inclusion of media studies programming
The British Columbia Institute of Technology has renamed their business school to the BCIT School of Business + Media. The name change reflects the business school's investment in media studies through their offering of programs like Broadcast and Media, Animation and Gaming, Web and Mobile, and Communications and Graphics. “The School of Business + Media recognizes the importance and growth of this evolving landscape and the commitment that we have upheld to provide our students with future-proof education for job-readiness and career mobility," said BCIT Dean of the School of Business + Media Leelah Dawson. "There has been no time in the history of BCIT in which media and communications have been more important in our global community. The new name reflects that importance.” BCIT (BC)
NAIT, ULethbridge announce staffing cuts in the wake of the 2020 Budget announcement
The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology and the University of Lethbridge have joined other AB postsecondary institutions announcing cutbacks in the wake of the 2020 Budget. NAIT is offering a voluntary departure program for 190 to 240 staff in order to reduce staffing costs and place the institution in a more sustainable position amidst cuts. ULethbridge has laid off 19 employees, and an additional 23 confirmed retirements and resignations. In a statement, AB Advanced Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides said staff reductions are never easy and it will be a challenging time for individuals and families affected. Edmonton Journal | Lethbridge Herald (AB)
Indigenous perspectives need to be strengthened in STEM fields
Scholars in the STEM disciplines of science, technology, engineering and math [say] Indigenous knowledge and perspectives have largely not found their way into Canadian post-secondary courses, writes Lakshmi Magon. While some Canadian postsecondary institutions are trying to incorporate more diverse perspectives into STEM fields, many experts argue that institutions still have a long way to go in terms of accepting the cultural qualifications of Indigenous community leaders and having those voices better represented among academic faculty. “To decolonize the academy, we need faculty to understand that Indigenous science is different to Western sciences through experience,” said Mount Royal University Executive Adviser of Indigenization John Fischer, member of the Cowessess First Nation. The Star (National )
Cégep RDL installs weather station, enhances experiential learning opportunities
The Cégep de Rivière-du-Loup have installed a new weather station to enhance the experiential learning for students in the school's Technologies de l'électronique industrielle program. The station will allow students to deepen their understanding of weather station equipment, such as the installation and maintenance of solar panels and wind turbines. Data collected by the station can also be monitored online by the local and campus community. Cégep RDL (QC)
How to ensure video marketing projects hit the mark with prospective students
It is no surprise that when an exciting new project is gearing up on campus, it is often assumed that creating a new marketing video will "save the day," writes Jonathan Shearer. However, video creation can be time consuming and costly, writes the author, so it is important to produce content that maximizes reach. To this end, Shearer shares three tips for determining what is and is not 'videoworthy:' answering top-searched questions, taking viewers on a tour, and mixing things up with lighter fare. Inside Higher Ed (International)
UNB, Bangor sign letter of intent to develop SMRs
The University of New Brunswick and Wales' Bangor University have signed a letter of intent to work together on the development of small modular reactors (SMRs). The release states that both universities have demonstrated leadership in nuclear research and development in their respective regions, and so the letter of intent identifies several possible areas of collaboration. The agreement was signed during the Canada-UK Nuclear Energy Summit where the Canadian and British governments also signed an action plan for cooperation in advancing the role of nuclear energy in combating climate change. UNB (NB)
