February 12, 2021
Nine British Columbia postsecondary institutions have partnered with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries and the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training on Feed BC. Through the initiative, the postsecondary institutions will work across departments to track and source more BC food, build innovative local food initiatives and promote local food education and awareness on campus and beyond. British Columbia Institute of Technology, Camosun College, Selkirk College, Simon Fraser University, Thompson Rivers University, University of British Columbia, University of the Fraser Valley, University of Northern British Columbia, and Vancouver Community College have committed to increasing the amount of local food served on campus to at least 30%. “Feed BC is an exciting, real-world opportunity for B.C.’s post-secondary institutions to be leaders in promoting local food and food system sustainability,” said Anne Kang, BC Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Training.
BC (BC )
George Brown College has launched an Honours Bachelor of Food Studies degree. The degree, which George Brown says is the first of its kind in Canada, will train students in both culinary techniques and food studies. Students in the program will participate in experiential learning opportunities, field trips, and community-engaged learning placements. “This Food Studies program provides students with an in-depth knowledge of our food system along with the skills, insights and knowledge to become leaders in a rapidly changing environment,” said Lorraine Trotter, Dean of the Centre for Hospitality and Culinary Arts at George Brown. “It offers a broad range of career pathways, while providing all stakeholders in our food system with leaders who can thrive in both for-profit and non-profit organizations.”
NewsWire (ON)
A judge has ruled that the University of Regina must give information about funding to
one of its professors who is studying the effects of the oil and gas industry on education. URegina originally used a “discretionary class exemption” in keeping details from Emily Eaton, reports CBC, and the court has since ruled that the records requested by Eaton do not fall under this class exemption. URegina responded to the ruling by saying that “[r]eleasing information related to some research activities could put research at risk, and undermine competitiveness both for the university and its researchers.”
CBC (SK)
Several institutions have launched new initiatives and events throughout the month of February in support of their Black communities. Centennial College’s Centre for Global Citizenship Education and Inclusion, Solv., and ACCEL came together to launch the Black Business Showcase throughout the month. Sheridan College announced a series of film screenings, cooking lessons, and career conversations in partnership with members of the community in celebration of Black History Month. York University has announced that it is launching a Postdoctoral Fellowships Program for Black and Indigenous Scholars that will support 12 postdoctoral scholars over the next four years. The fellowships “will help advance the career ambitions of Black and Indigenous scholars,” explained YorkU Senior Advisor of Equity and Representation Carl James, “by providing them with additional opportunities to build their scholarship with, among other things, mentor supports, research opportunities, and important publications."
Centennial |
Sheridan |
YorkU (ON)
In an article published in The Chronicle of Higher Education, Sumana Roy discusses the many challenges faced by postcolonial literature syllabi. The author explains that postcolonial literature is often evaluated in terms of how it represents the author’s culture; and as a result, Roy argues that postcolonial literature can become a victim of “juries” which give prizes to literature because of the culture or community it has come from rather than the writing. Roy further notes that these syllabi are often limited to novels, as poetry and essays do not give the detailed information that is expected from the postcolonial text. Finally, Roy explains how work that is self-indulgent should be allowed in postcolonial courses. “Looking at postcolonial-literature syllabi, I feel the need, as a postcolonial citizen and subject, for our literatures to be read for more reasons than the guilt rasa,” concludes Roy. “I’ve decided to begin my next semester by teaching a comedy, the hasya rasa. I hope for my students to laugh without guilt.”
The Chronicle of Higher Ed (International)
Rimouski College and Chicoutimi College have launched ISA and ALI, programs that use artificial intelligence to direct students to support resources and to identify students in need of academic follow-up. ALI, which has been developed by psychologists and mental health experts, asks questions, offers advice, and directs students to people who can help them; while ISA is an academic monitoring interface that uses student data to identify potential student issues. Teachers can focus on teaching students without worrying about following up with them.
Journal de Montréal (QC)
Brock University has received funding from the Natural Resources Canada Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program to install 20 Level 2 and 3 electric vehicle chargers on the Brock campus. Three of the charging stations will be Level 3 DC stations, allowing an almost completely depleted battery to charge up to 80% in just 20 minutes. “Since the Brock campus is open to the Niagara community,” said Scott Johnstone, Senior AVP of Infrastructure and Operations, “the investment also supports the adoption of EVs in the Niagara region through the reduction of carbon emissions.”
I Heart Radio (ON)
Vancouver Island University has launched a Baking and Pastry Arts Management Diploma. The two-year program will enable students to learn advanced baking skills and acquire the knowledge they need to set up their own businesses. Students in year two will work towards a baker Red Seal certification, plan a pop-up bakery, and participate in a cooperative work placement. “We are responding to industry demand for competent graduates who are ready to start working in commercial kitchens, and we listened to what our students are saying they need to embrace rising into a management position or operating their own business and becoming the trainers and baking mentors of the future,” said Rita Gower, Chair, Professional Baking and Pastry Arts at VIU.
VIU (BC)
The University of Windsor is redesigning its law school building to better reflect needs of students in the 21st century. The renovation, which will cost $30M and take two years, will focus on making the building accessible for people with disabilities, adding windows, restructuring classrooms to allow for collaborative work, and updating the library with space for students to work in groups. The redesign will also take into account Indigenous design principles. It will include space for smudging, a place for an Elder to meet with students, classrooms that allow classes to be taught in a circle, and Indigenous art pieces.
The Globe and Mail (ON)
College of the North Atlantic has announced that as a response to public health measures, it will be closing its campuses and facilities in the St John’s Metro area. All programs at Seal Cove, Ridge Road, and Prince Philip Drive will be moving online starting on February 15th. CNA students and employees have been asked to pick up personal items, and non-essential employees will be required to work from home. CNA has also implemented new COVID-19 protocols, such as closing all buildings to the public, conducting on-campus business and stakeholder appointments virtually, and cancelling business travel.
CNA (NL)
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