Top Ten
December 14, 2020
Kenjgewin Teg, Fleming partner to offer Practical Nursing program
Fleming College and Kenjgewin Teg have partnered on a Practical Nursing program on Manitoulin Island (Mnidoo Mnising). The five-year agreement will allow Kenjgewin Teg to act as a service provider offering Fleming’s Practical Nursing program. Students will participate in virtually delivered theory curriculum and on-site clinical learning opportunities at partner locations. “This new partnership will allow us to provide ongoing support and help meet the ever-growing needs of not only our local and regional First Nation health sector organizations, but will also help Ontario’s health sector too by supporting goals of hiring diversity of both Indigenous people and Indigenous perspectives in healthcare,” said Natasha Abotossaway, Kenjgewin Teg’s Health and Wellness Programs Coordinator. Fleming (ON)
ARUCC launches MyCreds™ | MesCertif™
The Association of Registrars of the Universities and Colleges of Canada (ARUCC) has officially launched MyCreds™ | MesCertif™, a bilingual credential wallet supported by a comprehensive website for Canada’s postsecondary community and learners. The national wallet will help colleges and universities to deliver digital and portable transcripts and credentials, including badges and microcredentials, to learners online. Over 30 postsecondary institutions and organizations joined the platform as early adopters of the service. “As the registrar of a larger, urban university, the provision of digitized credentials to post-secondary learners across Canada is hugely beneficial, particularly given the COVID situation,” said ARUCC National Network Project chair and Ryerson University registrar Charmaine Hack. “Trusted, secure digital credentials can enable our post-secondary learners with anytime access to their own verified credentials which can be shared with whomever they choose.” MyCreds (Release) (National)
Rethinking the role of postsecondary instructors: Opinion
The role of postsecondary instructors needs to be rethought, writes Steven Mintz. The author explains that the shift to online learning has demonstrated that instructors are on the front lines of education; as such, they should prioritize teaching and their role as advisors and mentors to students. Mintz argues that university teaching must be professionalized, and that instructors should be given access to instructional designers, educational technologists, and assessment specialists. Additionally, instructors should design courses that help all students master the material and should think of students as partners in the production of knowledge. “The pandemic has presented us with an opportunity to fundamentally change the culture and incentive structure surrounding university teaching,” writes Mintz. “We shouldn’t waste it.” Times Higher Ed (International)
GPRC, Lakeland partner to benefit agricultural programming
Grande Prairie Regional College and Lakeland College have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to pursue collaborative ventures in agriculture. The partnership will create educational and research opportunities in the agricultural sector for students. The MOU, which will be in effect until 2025, builds on the long-term partnership that the two colleges have had over the years. “Collaborating with Lakeland College allows us to bring modern and diverse opportunities to our region and better the educational experience of our students,” said GPRC President Robert Murray. “Our region is known for its agriculture industry and innovative-solutions, a partnership like this will add to what is already planted in our rich soil.” GPRC (AB)
TRU receives donation in support of Indigenous students, undergraduate research
Thompson Rivers University has received a $750K donation from the BMO Financial Group to fund awards for Indigenous students and to support their research. The funds will be used to create awards that will support Indigenous students at TRU’s School of Nursing, and to support Knowledge Makers, a mentorship program that guides Indigenous researchers. “As a university, we have a responsibility in reconciliation,” said TRU President Brett Fairbairn. “That includes honouring our relationship with the Secwépemc people on whose lands we reside, reducing barriers to post-secondary education and ensuring our learning community is a place where everyone truly belongs. Today’s announcement creates more opportunities for Indigenous learners to succeed.” TRU (1) | TRU (2) (BC)
MtA’s receives $1M from The Wilson Foundation to support internships
Mount Allison University’s Frank McKenna School of Philosophy, Politics, and Economics has received $1M from The Wilson Foundation. The endowed funds will be used to expand the Wilson Internships program and to support student internships in perpetuity, allowing students to gain hands-on experience and gain connections. “We’ve seen Wilson Interns complete placements as close as Sackville and as far away as Africa,” said MtA Economics Professor Dr. Craig Brett. “These experiences really create a buzz around the program. Students (and faculty) are excited to hear about what their classmates are doing and what projects they are working on as part of their internships.” Mount Allison (NB)
Carleton launches MeWeRTH to share mental health research
Carleton University has launched the Mental Health and Well-being Research and Training Hub (MeWeRTH), an online space which will focus on sharing mental health research that will make a positive impact on peoples’ lives during the pandemic. The Hub aims to make important mental health research available in ways that will be useful to the public. “The vision for this virtual space is to connect researchers, students and knowledge users to improve mental health and well-being in our communities,” said Joanna Pozzulo, professor and chair of the Department of Psychology and director of MeWeRTH. Carleton (ON)
Brock CCOVI launches Foundations in Winemaking course
Brock University’s Cool Climate Oenology and Viticulture Institute (CCOVI) is launching a Foundations in Winemaking course in April 2021. The course, which is open to everyone, will cover the winemaking process from start to finish. The course will be offered online, and students will be sent a winemaking kit, a faults kit, and a wine sensory kit. “We’re excited that this will be a first of its kind and CCOVI has the expertise to lead the way,” said CCOVI’s Outreach and Continuing Education Manager Barb Tatarnic. “The course will take a multi-faceted approach, allowing our students to make their own wine, acquire foundational techniques and sensory skills, and learn from top winemakers in the industry as they develop a well-rounded foundation in winemaking.” Brock (ON)
Quest successfully emerges from CCAA
Quest University Canada has announced that it has successfully emerged from the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) proceedings. Quest will remain a board-governed not-for-profit organization, with Primacorp Ventures providing support in recruiting and operational financing. Quest will also lease the lands for its academic operations from the organization. “I am very grateful for the outstanding work of many people who have supported Quest University through this challenging time,” said Quest President George Iwama. “Our successful emergence from CCAA opens a new and important chapter for the university. With our new partnership with Primacorp Ventures Inc., we remain committed to academic freedom, uncompromising academic and pedagogical standards, and social justice, particularly with First Nations.” Quest (BC)
Laurentian announces compassionate grading system
Laurentian University has announced the approval of a compassionate grading system, which will allow students to opt to be assigned a “pass” or “fail” grade on their transcripts for individual courses. The release states that this will “provide for equitable and compassionate outcomes for all students, particularly those who have experienced the full force of the COVID-19 pandemic.” “Students are at the core of our decision making, and this decision will offer flexibility at a time where they need it most,” said Laurentian President Robert Haché. “It is an unusual step, and one that we feel will have a positive impact on student success.” Laurentian (ON)
