Top Ten
May 28, 2020
StatsCan releases report on work-integrated learning amid COVID-19
Statistic Canada has released a new report on the impact of COVID-19 on work-integrated learning for Canadian postsecondary students. According to the studies, nearly one-third of participants reported that the pandemic resulted in the cancellation or postponement of their work-integrated learning. Students in health and related programs were most affected by these types of cancellations or postponements. StatsCan notes that these findings are significant given a previous study’s finding of a positive correlation between work experience during postsecondary education and the probability of finding a full-time job immediately after graduation. The report also notes that over one-half of students who had their work placement delayed or cancelled were very or extremely concerned that their credentials would be considered less valuable. StatsCan | CTV (National)
MB announces $25.6M fund to address pandemic’s impact on postsecondary schools
The Government of Manitoba has announced $25.6M in funding for the province’s postsecondary institutions to help schools plan for the pandemic’s impact on institutional operations. The MB office of Economic Development and Training Minister Ralph Eichler confirmed that the one-time “transition support fund” amounts to the equivalent of schools’ pandemic-related savings in staffing and operations, as well as a temporary restoration of the 1% reduction in funding announced in the 2020 budget, combined. The funding will be used to improve online learning, address international student enrolment changes, and align programming to labour market demands. Winnipeg Free Press (MB)
12 Canadian universities rank in top 100 for recycling and sustainability
Twelve Canadian universities are ranked among the top 100 universities for recycling and sustainability in the Times Higher Education Impact Ratings. Rankings are determined based on how schools around the world are committing to the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Schools that made the top 50 include the University of British Columbia (12), Université Laval (18), York University (21), McMaster University (24), the University of Victoria (25), Western University (35), and the University of Calgary (38). Other schools that made the rankings are the University of Toronto (54), Simon Fraser University (55), Concordia University (62), the University of Waterloo (69), and McGill University (72). Times Higher Education (International)
QC unveils recovery scenarios for postsecondary schools, reveals 30% minimum on-campus learning
The Government of Québec has presented three scenarios for fall educational delivery at the province’s universities and cégeps, all of which include a minimum target of having 30% to 35% of students on campus. The first proposed scenario involves hybrid education with 50% of students on campus, the second scenario proposes hybrid education with attendance in the presence of around 30% to 35% of students, and the third scenario proposes a 100% return to on-campus learning. This announcement comes despite several QC institutions’ recent announcements that their Fall semesters will be almost entirely online. The announcement also noted that the province’s R rating, suspended due to the pandemic, will be reimplemented this fall with certain flexibilities for cégeps. Journal de Montréal | La Presse (QC)
Co-op placement employment on the decline for UWaterloo students
The employment rate for spring co-op students at the University of Waterloo is down to 68% from 88% in non-pandemic times, the university says. A UWaterloo spokesperson further explained that there are 5,000 co-op students currently working, which is markedly lower than the 6,800 from this time last year. The shortfall is largely due to employers’ dwindling capacity to onboard students due to tough economic conditions, said UWaterloo Associate Provost for co-op and experiential education Norah McRae. To accommodate labour market changes, the university is introducing shorter work terms, later start dates, less stringent co-op completion policies, and the use of federal wage subsidy money to hire students for campus jobs. CBC (ON)
ACC partners with Ed2Go, UGotClass to offer 200 new online courses
Assiniboine Community College’s Continuing Studies is partnering with the online learning platform UGotClass and Ed2Go to add 200 new courses to its existing roster of online classes. "The expanded selection of online courses offered through Continuing Studies can provide learners with pathways to building credentials for either personal or professional reasons," said ACC acting director of continuing studies Diane Shamray. "Learners will have the opportunity to take a single course or take a cluster of courses that can lead to a credential in a particular field of study." In addition, ACC will offer students free access to three classes through Ed2Go. ACC | Brandon Sun (MB)
UofGuelph to help lead Gender Equity in Sport Research Hub
The University of Guelph has announced that the school will play an integral role in the development of the National Gender Equity in Sport Research Hub, an initiative that aims to advance gender equity in sport within Canada. The research hub will be comprised of a network of researchers from the academic community, sport representatives, government and NGOs, and gender equity experts from outside sport and universities in order to advance gender equity in sport, with a special emphasis on participation and leadership. “Bringing together the research community and key sport sector partners to focus on advancing gender equity will have a lasting impact on the Canadian sport system and firmly establish Canada as a leader in the global gender equity movement,” explains UofGuelph inaugural Chair in Sport Management Ann Pegoraro. UofGuelph (ON)
UNB removes name of controversial figure from law building
The University of New Brunswick’s board of governors has voted to remove George Duncan Ludlow’s name from its faculty of law buildings following concerns regarding his involvement in residential schools and his legal endorsement of slavery. Within 30 minutes of the decision, UNB crews had stripped the lettering from Ludlow Hall. "By acting on the concerns raised by many members of our community, UNB is delivering on its commitment to truth and reconciliation as well as toward building a more equitable, diverse and inclusive institution," said UNB President Paul Mazerolle. In addition to these measures, a permanent display that explores his history with slavery and Indigenous schooling in early New Brunswick will be installed. A new name for the building will be chosen within a year. CBC (NB)
Brock requires community to complete cybersecurity onboarding process
Brock University has announced that it is introducing new cybersecurity measures and will be requiring all faculty, staff, and students to go through an on-boarding process to prepare for the enforcements. Specifically, the university is adopting Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) to protect the school and its faculty, staff, and students from cyberattacks. Once implemented, the MFA will send Brock community members a notification asking them to confirm login to Office 356 or Workday. Brock (ON)
UCalgary unable to provide funds toward City of Calgary multi-sport field house project
The University of Calgary has announced that they will not be providing funds toward a multi-sport field house being planned by the City of Calgary. "Given the current and anticipated budgetary constraints faced by the university, UCalgary does not have the capacity to pay market rent, [nor] the ability to make the capital contribution to the project that would be required to accommodate our various program needs," explained UCalgary president Ed McCauley. The city has not yet identified funding sources to cover the cost of the field house, but Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi acknowledged that postsecondary institutions are going through unprecedented cuts and expressed hope that the university would be able to be a partner in some way in the future. CBC | Calgary Herald (AB)
