January 12, 2021
The University of Waterloo and the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) have announced a joint seven-year research and development project in metal 3D printing that will help Ontario more effectively utilize industrial additive manufacturing. UWaterloo and NRC will continue to advance their previous work in a variety of areas, such as process optimization and standardized testing. “We want to create in southwestern Ontario a unique ecosystem to support metal additive manufacturing in terms of research and development and to translate competencies to industry partners,” said Mihaela Vlasea, associate director of the Multi-Scale Additive Manufacturing Lab at UWaterloo.
3D Printing Industry (ON)
The Université du Québec à Montréal has created a new research centre called the Centre d’intelligence en surveillance des marchés financiers. The unit has three objectives: to ensure the financial ecosystem’s integrity against manipulation through promoting best practices, to identify approaches that will optimize detection of manipulation and deceptive trading practices, and to position Montreal as a global centre in financial market supervision. The centre will provide a space to do scientific research, to train professionals, and to bring together experts from all related disciplines for collaboration.
UQAM (QC)
Red River College and the Manitoba Association of School Superintendents have developed two courses that are designed to address staffing shortages in Manitoba schools through training substitute teachers and educational assistants (EAs). The Basic Classroom Skills for Limited Teaching Permit Holders program will provide training to people who are hired to teach on a temporary basis, while the Educational Assistant Essentials Program will prepare EAs to work under teachers. Both courses are delivered online, are available in English and French, and will take around 30 hours to complete. “We are proud to work with our partners in the K-12 system to create solutions to address educational continuity and the pressing staffing needs identified by the task force” said RRC President Fred Meier.
CBC |
Winnipeg Free Press (MB)
College of the North Atlantic and Memorial University’s Grenfell Campus will receive an investment of $700K from the provincial government over two years in support of immigration. $600K has been provided to CNA through the NL Workforce Innovation Centre to establish an Economic Immigration Ideas Lab. This lab will bring leaders together to work toward a common goal of developing new approaches to increasing immigration. NL is also investing over $100K to support newcomers in completing required English language testing by supporting MUN in becoming a designated Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program testing site. “This new testing site will give us agency to strengthen international growth in our region and throughout the province, and will uphold our goal to sustain overall enrolment, enhance diversity, and help attract and produce highly educated and skilled newcomers for Newfoundland and Labrador,” said MUN Grenfell’s VP Dr Jeff Keshen.
CNA (NL)
Writing for a general audience provides a way for academics to publicly speak out about current issues, writes Austin Sarat. The author explains how academics can draw on their expertise to join public conversations, and how their writing must change when they are writing for the public. The article describes techniques for producing this kind of writing, including choosing accessible language and ensuring that writing is compelling even for readers who may be hostile to the truth. The article describes the rewards and the downsides to producing public writing, and encourages academics to use their knowledge for the public good.
Inside Higher Ed (International)
Dalhousie University and the Dalhousie Faculty Association have reached a tentative labour agreement with help from a conciliator after resolving outstanding issues. The faculty association members and the university’s board of governments still need to ratify the agreement. “The details of the tentative deal will be made available once the board and the membership of DFA [faculty association] have ratified the collective agreement,” stated a Dal email.
CBC (NS)
Western University has announced that it will delay the start of in-person classes until February 21st due to the increase in COVID-19 cases in Ontario. Virtual classes will begin as planned this week. A small number of clinical learning programs in health sciences and medicine will be allowed to begin in-person sessions, as well as a limited number of non-health related programs. Western will also be staggering student return to residences, with a small number who have previously arranged travel or personal circumstances given permission to return.
Western |
Global News (ON)
A first-year student at St Francis Xavier University has been charged with offenses related to human trafficking in Ontario. A report from
The Chronicle Herald explains that Justin Barrett was arrested in December by York Regional Police “for allegedly exploiting a 16-year-old girl in the sex trade and forcing her to turn over her earnings.” StFX VP of students Elizabeth Yeo stated that the university will be monitoring and reviewing the situation to ensure the safety of the community.
CBC |
The Chronicle Herald (NB) Update: StFX has suspended the student in question.
University support staff need training in order to help troubled students, writes Sarah Bones. The author describes how students often come to them when they are experiencing mental health issues, despite the fact that administrative staff are often thought of as having a “signpost” role. Bones explains that those in administrative roles need training on how to help students, as passing students on to other teams when they need immediate help can discourage students from continuing to seek help. The author also explains that administrators need training on how to handle students who are dealing with overwhelming or out-of-control emotions and mental health issues. “At a time when students from around the globe have been cooped up in their rooms for months wondering how to get help,” writes Bones, “it is more necessary than ever to ensure that those they do approach have the training to give them what they need.”
Times Higher Ed (International)
The University of Guelph has announced the creation of the President’s Advisory Committee on Anti-Racism, which will be co-chaired by Dr Charlotte Yates and professor Lawrence Hill. The committee will make recommendations for addressing racism and promoting equity, diversity, and inclusivity at the institution. “There was a tremendous response from the University community to our call for nominations,” said Yates. “We are so thankful to everyone who put their name forward to help us with this important work.” The creation of the committee is part of UoGuelph’s 14-point Anti-Racism Action Plan released in Fall 2020.
UoGuelph |
Nation Talk (ON)
rtraction