Top Ten
June 30, 2020
CIRA announces $1.25M in grants for internet projects
The Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) has announced the 20 projects that have received grants from the $1.25M Community Investment Program. The projects will improve internet infrastructure, digital literacy, and cybersecurity for students in Indigenous, rural, and Northern communities across the country. Postsecondary institutions that will benefit from the grant include the New Brunswick Community College, Mohawk College, McGill University, Concordia University, and the Université de Montréal. Globe Newswire (National)
YorkU launches virtual ground breaking on aesthetically unique Continuing Studies building
York University has launched a virtual ground-breaking for the university’s first dedicated structure for their School of Continuing Studies. Scheduled to open fall 2021, the building will allow for expanded access to the English-language university pathways that support international students and new Canadians, and innovative programming to support professionals looking to pursue exciting careers in emerging and in-demand career fields. “The building is an embodiment of who we are as a school," said York Assistant Vice-President, Continuing Studies Tracey Taylor-O'Reilly. "The building will be a twisted, iconic gateway site and showcase York's long commitment to providing high-quality education to non-traditional students." YorkU (ON)
Aurora President investigating ways to increase independence from Education department
Aurora College President Andy Bevan is examining ways that the college could increase its independence from the territory’s Education Department. Bevan, who is also associate deputy minister of post-secondary education renewal, explained that one of his highest priorities is establishing an arm’s-length board to govern the college. The decision follows the recent replacement of former Aurora President Thomas Weegar almost one year after his original appointment. The establishment of a board will require amendments to the Aurora College Act. CBC (NT)
Demonstrators denounce changes to QC Experience Program impacting international students
Protestors gathered across Québec this past weekend to denounce upcoming reforms to the Québec Experience Program, an initiative that fast-tracks immigration for foreign students and temporary workers. Demonstrators argue that the reforms compromise the future of international students by requiring eligible applicants to acquire two years of full-time work for those with a professional diploma, and one year for those who complete a university degree or technical diploma. The reforms allow the work experience to be unrelated to a field of study, but they exclude certain professions, such as waiter, cashier, or agricultural worker. CBC | Medicine Hat News (QC)
KPU launches reimagined Diploma in Public Relations
Kwantlen Polytechnic University has redesigned their Diploma in Public Relations to ensure students have the skills and awareness to succeed in today’s workplace. Launching in September, the two-year program will allow students to graduate with a recognized credential, and to progress into a Bachelor of Business Administration or a Bachelor of Arts degree at KPU. “Our new PR diploma allows students to study at their own pace, easily ladder into four-year degrees, and graduate as business-savvy, culturally-competent communicators,” said KPU Program Co-ordinator Andrew Frank. “We are excited to continue building on our strong reputation by training excellent communicators who can help organizations navigate increasingly complex social issues and crises.” KPU (BC)
Institutions reconsider legacy of Sir John A Macdonald on-campus
Two institutions in Ontario have recently announced that they will be examining the use of Sir John A Macdonald’s name for campus buildings. At Queen’s University, the Faculty of Law has committed to a formal consultation process regarding the name of Sir John A Macdonald Hall, which will consider the present name and whether it should be removed. At the University of Windsor, a review of the “appropriateness” of a student residence building named after the former prime minister is underway. The review began after a petition began circulating calling for the building to be renamed. "People all over the world right now and especially young people, are waking up to the realization that the history they've been given is at best a mischaracterization and, at worst, a flat out lie," said Indigenous law student David Pitawanakwat. "Whatever you could name these buildings, there's so many local heroes and local stories that you could choose to honour." The Whig (Queen’s) | CBC (UWindsor) (ON)
Eton partners with Sri Lankan university to deliver hospitality, tourism, business programming
Eton College Canada and Horizon University in Sri Lanka have announced a partnership that will boost students’ study and career pathway options. Through the partnership, Eton’s hospitality, tourism, and business programs will be delivered on Horizon’s campus in Sri Lanka. “[There is also] potential for advanced study based on articulated pathways to college and universities that will also benefit from a diverse stream of well-prepared and qualified international students,” said Eton Campus Director Kalai Ponniah. MSM Higher Ed Foundation, the company that manages the career college, has also launched its Foundation programs, which it hopes will become a worldwide network of programs preparing students for regions such as Canada, the US, the UK, and Australia. Pie News (BC)
SLC signs articulation agreement with Ireland’s GMIT
St Lawrence College has launched a collaborative program agreement in Hospitality with the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT). The Anne McConnell-Strong Experience Ireland Fund will support a variety of initiatives, including student bursaries and the creation of a pre-departure program to prepare Ireland-bound students to fully appreciate the country they will call home during their studies. The fund will also be utilized to welcome the program’s Irish students to Kingston and Canada. “St. Lawrence College has seen a growing number of students participate in our many articulation agreements with the Irish institutes,” said SLC President Glenn Vollebregtm, “but the Anne McConnell-Strong Experience Ireland Fund is the first of its kind in not only helping us to prepare students to learn in Ireland, but to also make the opportunity possible to students who may not have been able to participate.” SLC (ON)
Concordia Edmonton announces new residency with Adventus
Concordia University of Edmonton has announced a new residency with Adventus LifeFood Inc within their BMO Centre for Innovation and Research (BMO-CIAR). Through this residency, Concordia Edmonton and the BMO-CIAR will be providing resources, support, and opportunities for Adventus to take the next steps towards commercializing products. “The BMO-CIAR was designed to be a place for industry and academia to come together and discover what is possible when we work together,” said Concordia Edmonton Vice-President External Affairs and International Relations Manfred Zeuch. Concordia Edmonton (AB)
Universities lay off staff, prepare for lower enrolment
Several universities have announced layoffs as they face uncertain projections and brace for lower enrolment this Fall. At Mount Allison University, 36 employees have been laid off, 25 of which have been given an expected date of return, and an additional 16 have had their hours reduced. At Cape Breton University, 60 term jobs were eliminated and an additional 40 people were laid off during the summer. CBU additionally rolled back wages by up to 10 percent for some staff and administrators and cancelled all work-related travel. At the University of Saskatchewan, the equivalent of 14 full-time positions were eliminated from the research office. CBC (Mount Allison) | CBC (CBU) | The Star Phoenix (USask) (NB, NS, SK)
