September 3, 2020
The Government of Canada has announced that the regulations and legislative amendments to the Canada Labour Code that impact internships, including student internships, have come into force as of September 1st. As of these changes, student interns in federally regulated workplaces will be entitled to a number of protections that include a limit on work hours, the right to a modified work schedule, unpaid breaks, and protected leaves. Canada also states that new legislation concerned with workplace harassment and violence experienced by interns will come into force on January 1st.
Canada |
Canada (Backgrounder) (National)
Brock University’s Faculty of Education (FOE) has partnered with the Landscape of Nations 360° (LON 360°) Indigenous Education Initiative to advance the work of LON 360° in K-12 classrooms in the Niagara region. This collaboration will enhance the teaching of Indigenous history, experience, and knowledge within Ontario’s curriculum. LON 360° has developed
A Framework for Essential Understandings About Indigenous Peoples Of The Niagara Region, provided professional development for teachers, and will be launching instructional modules that connect with Ontario’s curriculum. “We are delighted to explore how we might leverage the combined intellectual and research capacities of Brock and the LON 360° Indigenous Education Initiative to enhance learning and teaching in schools across Niagara and beyond,” says FOE Dean Michael Owen.
Brock |
Framework (ON)
The Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) has complied data on how Canadian postsecondary institutions are offering courses this fall. Based on websites from 113 different polytechnics, colleges, and universities, CAUT has found that 55% of institutions will deliver courses primarily online, and only use in-person delivery when necessary due to course components. 25% will be using a blended approach which includes hybrid courses (both in-person where necessary and online), and courses that are held fully online or fully in person. 16% will be fully online, while only 1% of institutions will hold classes fully in person.
Canadian Association of University Teachers (National)
Western University has shared the stories of several faculty and instructors who have pivoted their courses and shared new remote-learning tactics for the new term. Applied mathematics professor Lindi Wahl has transformed a course on mathematical biology into an active learning format where students use real-life COVID-19 data to model and predict the patterns of the disease. Visual arts professor Tricia Johnson has shifted to a recorded lecture format and made 19 videos of herself creating the art pieces that she will be assigning to her students. Political science professor Nigmendra Narain will be using a coffee shop model in addition to structured, recorded lectures to make “serendipitous conversations possible” in a virtual class of 700 students.
Western (Art) |
Western (Mathematical Biology) |
Western (Political Science) (ON)
NSCAD University has announced the launch of the Creative Entrepreneurship Lab aimed at helping students develop the business, networking, financing, and advocacy skills required for an arts-based business. “The Creative Entrepreneurship Lab is a dedicated virtual space committed to facilitating workshops, one-to-one support, and mentorship to students and faculty,” said NSCAD U VP (Academic & Research) and Provost Ann-Barbara Graff. “The focus of the lab is creative entrepreneurship and rethinking the creative economy with NSCAD at its centre.” The lab will be led by Gregory Adolphe-Nazaire and will emphasize inclusivity and equality when it comes to access to entrepreneurial training.
NSCAD U (NS)
York University announced a new Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change (EUC). This faculty will build on environmental research as it brings together the Faculty of Environmental Studies and the Department of Geography to prepare students for careers in the field. It will bring together social and environmental concerns in order to train students in growing issues such as decreased biodiversity, climate change, sustainability, and urbanization. York states that they created the EUC in response to pressing environmental issues caused by humans. It will be open for admission in fall 2021.
YorkU (ON)
Five Canadian universities have ranked among the top 100 of the THE World University Rankings. The University of Toronto (#18) was the highest ranked Canadian institution, followed by the University of British Columbia (#34), McGill University (#40), McMaster University (#69), and the University of Montreal (tied for #73). Internationally, a university from the United Kingdom – the University of Oxford - took the top spot this year, and was followed closely behind by the US’s Stanford University and Harvard University.
Times Higher Education |
Times Higher Education (SK)
Humber College and New Brunswick Community College have signed an articulation agreement that will allow NBCC students advanced standing entry into Humber’s Bachelor of Science – Criminal Justice degree program. Eligible NBCC programs include Criminal Justice: Police Foundations and Criminal Justice: Corrections. “As we help our learners prepare for the changing demographics and workforce disruption of today’s economy,” NBCC President Mary Butler noted, “it’s more important than ever that we provide them with the flexibility to layer their learning to support their personal and professional development, throughout their careers.”
NBCC |
Humber (NB, ON)
The University of Guelph is using a $1.33M gift from Michel Eric Fournelle to build a state-of-the-art food lab and culinary studio. The Anita Stewart Alumni Food Laboratory will include high-end appliances and food preparation equipment, as well as audio-visual equipment. UoGuelph says that the AV equipment will be used to broadcast virtual food demonstrations over YouTube and host off-campus chefs. The AV equipment also will enable instructors to teach courses online using this facility. Statia Elliot, Associate Dean, says that “for a university, it’s unique to have a hands-on teaching facility, especially with recording and broadcasting capabilities.”
UoGuelph (ON)
The University of Waterloo has added its first official competitive esports team to its athletic department. This year, the Waterloo Warriors will be playing Rocket League, Overwatch, and League of Legends against other teams in the Ontario Post-Secondary Esports league (OPSE). Players go through a competitive tryouts process that involves scrimmages as they compete for a place on the team. This year, 18 Ontario institutions will be participating in OPSE. “It’s important, especially for the students and their community to have a team to rally behind. To have that school spirit and that connection,” says OPSE commissioner James Fitzgerald.
CBC (ON)
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