November 4, 2020
The Government of Canada has announced an additional $204M for anti-pandemic measures in Indigenous communities and institutions. The new funds include $25M for Indigenous postsecondary institutions facing increased costs. “This will help retain staff, adapt courses for online learning and implement public health and safety measures like additional handwashing stations and safe space barriers,” said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller added that the pandemic has had a particularly hard impact on children and young people, and that “we must ensure that they get the necessary support to be able to learn and to thrive in a safe environment.”
APTN News |
CTV News (Canada)
Camosun College has launched a five-month pilot program that allows high school students the opportunity to take courses in technology and engineering at the postsecondary level. The program is intended to allow students to smoothly transition to postsecondary studies while simultaneously completing high school and postsecondary credits. Courses are currently online due to COVID-19, but Camosun hopes to incorporate tours, industry speakers, and work experience placements into the program when it is possible again. “When it comes to trades and technology programming, our program delivery and regional approach is unique,” says Nicola Priestley, Director, South Island Partnership at Camosun. “Our students have given us great feedback that they’re loving the Camosun courses, and they’re keen to explore electronics and computer science at a deeper level.”
Camosun (BC)
The Government of Canada has announced that it will invest $26M in the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council’s Doctoral Fellowships competition. The funds will support 540 doctoral researchers over the next four years in a variety of research projects, including in areas of climate change, sustainable food systems, Indigenous languages, law and environment revitalization, cannabis use, and trauma. “SSHRC’s investment in research is a demonstration of our commitment to supporting the high-calibre students of today and the change-makers of tomorrow,” said SSHRC President Ted Hewitt. “Their research findings and insights will be critical to making sense of the evolving world around us.”
Nation Talk |
Canada (Canada)
The University of Toronto’s Ethiopic program has surpassed a $500K fundraising goal thanks to a $30K gift from The Weeknd. The funds will support the Ethiopic program in offering at least one Ge’ez language course each year. The release says that the U of T is the only university in North America to regularly offer Ge’ez language courses. “U of T’s Ethiopic studies will illuminate to the world the hidden, untouched millennial scripts in Ge’ez and uncover rich texts of philosophy, grammar, mathematics, astronomy, history, medicine and law,” said Tessema Mulugeta, president of Bikila. “During this modern age, current and future generations of U of T students can continue to access Ethiopia’s past and unlock tantalizing deposits of wisdom from distant eras of human history.”
U of T (ON)
Capilano University has announced that it will be offering a new concentration in Film Producing to students in its Bachelor of Motion Picture Arts program. Students who choose this concentration will learn about producing and film business affairs, including planning, ethics, and sustainability. The program also offers instruction in a variety of other areas, including financing models, contracts, promotion, legal requirements, and sustainable production management. “The Producing concentration empowers students to specialize in film business affairs and producing, gaining in-demand skills that are needed in today’s rapidly evolving and growing motion picture industry,” says Ted Gervan, dean of the Faculty of Fine and Applied Arts at CapilanoU. “This development represents an exciting step forward for the BMPA program.”
CapilanoU (BC)
Olds College has received a donation of 10 Red Angus heifers through a Canadian Red Angus Promotion Society initiative. Olds’ Technology Access Centre (TAC) for Livestock Production will be using the herd for a research project on feed intake and efficiency. Each heifer was donated by a different Red Angus producer from Western Canada, resulting in a herd with genetic diversity that will be beneficial for the research. The herd will also be used as a part of academic courses and students may be involved with the cattle through extra-curricular activities.
The Western Producer (AB)
Carleton’s Music Department has partnered with the Ottawa Symphony Orchestra (OSO) to give classical music students the opportunity to develop their skills while gaining performance experience. Experienced professional musicians will mentor and teach Carleton students, who will take part in chamber ensembles and orchestra settings. As part of the launch of the partnership, the CDCC recorded a series of concerts to be aired on OSO’s ReJOYce series. “CDCC literally sets the stage for this new collaboration between Carleton Music and the OSO,” said Alexis Luko, assistant director of Carleton Music. “We’re excited to launch our collaboration with a focus on performance, mentorship and experiential learning.”
Carleton (ON)
Universities, with their leadership in research, can help the Greater Montréal community adapt to life after the pandemic, write McGill University President Suzanne Fortier and Université de Montréal Rector Daniel Jutras. The authors say that universities should use their expertise to tackle challenges associated with post-pandemic realities such as city redesigns, ethical deployment of technology, and redefining the rules of community life. Additionally, the authors write that Montréal’s university campuses should collaborate with their surrounding neighbourhoods to “transform the urban area into a living laboratory where the results of applied research can be tested.” The authors call for the city’s universities to use their students’ energy to restart Montréal. The article is co-signed by other leaders of education in Montréal.
Montreal Gazette |
La Presse (French) (QC)
The College of New Caledonia’s newest building has been renamed following a donation of $500K worth of equipment from Finning Canada. The facility is now called the Finning Heavy Mechanical Trades Training Facility. Finning has supported the institution in numerous ways in the past, according to CNC, and most recently donated a variety of tools and equipment that include toolbox sets, engines, transmissions, pumps, and axles. “We’re very grateful for Finning’s continued support and investment in the success of CNC students,” said CNC president Dennis Johnson. “Community and industry partners continue to drive the educational experience forward at CNC and open avenues for students to gain employment.”
Prince George Citizen (BC)
Individuals associated with McMaster University, Niagara College, and Lethbridge College have tested positive for COVID-19. Niagara states that one member of its community, who was last on campus on October 24th, tested positive. Niagara stated that it has assisted Niagara Region Public Health in contact tracing for the case. An individual from an external company who was on McMaster’s campus on October 26th tested positive for COVID-19. McMaster states that the building the individual was in has been thoroughly cleaned. CBC reports that Lethbridge has experienced a COVID-19 outbreak of seven cases within a powerline technician program cohort. An advisory from Alberta Health Services says risk is minimal due to the isolated nature of the cohort and that any close contacts have been contacted.
CBC |
Niagara |
CBC (ON | AB)
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