Top Ten
March 8, 2021
Canadian PSE receives expanded funding from Women Entrepreneurship Strategy Ecosystem Fund
Postsecondary institutions such as Queen’s University, York University, Wilfrid Laurier University, and Collège d'Alma will be receiving additional funding through the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy (WES) Ecosystem Fund, which supports women entrepreneurs who have been impacted by COVID-19. Queen’s will receive an additional $250K to expand services provided to women entrepreneurs and to develop and launch the virtual workshop series 'OvercomeHER.' York has received an additional $281.6K to support the incorporation of a new Coaching and Leadership Support module to its ELLA program and the launch of a new initiative. WLU has received an additional $290K to bolster its existing WES Ecosystem project. Collège d'Alma has received an additional $200K to support female entrepreneurs remotely through a new digital platform. CA (1) | CA (2) (ON)
Booth UC announces new Community and Urban Transformation program
Booth University College has announced the launch of its new Bachelor of Arts in Community and Urban Transformation (CUT). The four-year interdisciplinary program will examine topics of planning and community development while focusing on “understanding and transforming the urban experiences of the disadvantaged.” Dr Aaron Klassen, Assistant Professor of Sociology and the CUT program’s designer, explains what makes the program unique: “Not only will we be encouraging students to study and experience cities, to understand issues like poverty and health, we want them to be able to contribute some kind of positive change.” Booth UC (MB)
Carleton launching WiE&IT program this Fall
Carleton University has launched the Women in Engineering and Information Technology (WiE&IT) Program, which the university says is one of the first industry and government sponsored programs of its kind in Canada. The program will include relationship-building events; mentorships; a network of ambassadors and volunteers; a special fund for equity, diversity, and inclusion work. “Supporting women in engineering and IT ensures more creative and viable solutions to the world’s most pressing problems,” said Banu Örmeci, Carleton Jarislowsky Chair in Water and Global Health. “By connecting our students with industry through the WiE&IT program, we can enhance women’s educational journeys and help to close the gender gap in STEM.” The program will begin Fall 2021. Carleton (ON)
$2.2M in funding goes to expansion of UBCO, UAlberta collaborative project Nav-CARE
Health Canada will provide $2.2M to a collaborative program developed by researchers at the University of British Columbia Okanagan and the University of Alberta. The funding will allow the Nav-CARE (Navigation- Connecting, Accessing, Resourcing, Engaging) program, which connects trained volunteers to people who are living at home with declining health, to expand to 15 centres of excellence with 30 satellite sites. Through the funding, the Nav-CARE toolkit and training resources, which supports those providing care, will be adapted for online use. The resources will also be adapted for Francophones, Indigenous populations, and those caring for persons living with dementia. UBCO (BC | AB)
UMontréal to offer certificat en sécurité du travail et santé publique
The Université de Montréal has announced that its École de santé publique will be offering a certificate in occupational safety and public health called the certificat en sécurité du travail et santé publique. The one-year certificate will train students in communicating, assessing, and controlling safety risks in industrial processes, load handling, and fire prevention. It will also cover enclosed workspaces and working at heights. Students will be prepared for jobs in workplace safety and construction site inspection, and the curriculum is designed to lead to professional certifications such as a site inspector certification. Registration for the certificate will open in fall 2021. UMontréal (QC)
BC, ON students experience COVID-19 outbreaks, exposures
Students attending postsecondary institutions in BC and Ontario are experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks and exposures. St Clair College has reported that two students living in residence in Windsor have tested positive for COVID-19 after interacting without appropriate personal protective equipment. The Times Colonist reports that University of Victoria students who attended a party on the weekend are in self-isolation after being exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19. Global News reports that a Trent University student residence is experiencing an outbreak with nine cases in residence and one off-campus, and that there are 44 active COVID-19 cases among Fleming College and Trent students at Severn Court Student Residence. CBC reports that the Ontario Police College’s outbreak has grown to 93 cases, though no variants of concern have been identified. St Clair | Times Colonist | Global News | CBC (National)
Supporting PLAs can contribute to adult learner success
Adult learners need better support in their higher education goals, writes John Woods. The author explains how institutions should invest in Prior Learning Assessments (PLAs) to help working adults gain additional training, reskill, or enter the workforce. The article explains that in the US context, PLAs are underutilized, even though they could help adult learners pay less in tuition and experience greater success in their education. The author explains that higher education should invest more to make PLAs available, which will equitably support students and improve graduation rates in adult learners. “If PLAs are not adequately supported, the students who have the most to gain will miss out,” writes Woods. Campus Technology (International)
U of King’s College investigates retired professor charged with sexual assault
The University of King’s College has announced that it has appointed a third-party to review the actions of a retired professor who has been charged with sexual assault. Global News reports that the alleged sexual assault happened in 1988, while Dr Wayne Hankey was an instructor at U of King’s College. The article explains that Hankey, who was recently teaching one course at Dalhousie University, has stepped back due to the circumstances. “When the Review concludes you will hear from King’s again,” said U of King’s College president Bill Lahey. “And at that time, King’s will be as transparent as the law allows. I am determined that future generations will not find us wanting.” Global News | CBC (NS)
UBC students required to retake exam due to ambiguous instructions, cheating allegations
Students in a Managerial Accounting course at UBC’s Saunder School of Business will be required to retake a midterm because some students may have cheated. CBC explains that students took the exam in an open book format with the understanding they could “use [their] textbook, notes, Google, anything.” CityNews1130 explains that the “potential ambiguity” in the instructions led to potential violations such as collaboration or other online resources such as Chegg. CBC reports that many students are upset with the decision, and that the instructor has received threats. “While we are empathetic that this does carry a burden for students during an already busy time of year, this re-examination will add clarity for all students on how to properly complete the new exam and will ensure a level playing field to assess students,” said Dr Kin Lo, Senior Associate Dean, Students at the UBC Sauder School of Business. CBC | CityNews1130 (BC)
Exploring the nuances of self-plagiarism, iThenticate, and text recycling: Opinion
It can be difficult for researchers to find information on how to avoid self-plagiarism, and using iThenticate can complicate matters, write Cary Moskovitz and Aaron Colton. The authors explain that one of the most widely accessed tools on self-plagiarism is a guide written by iThenticate, which is a plagiarism-detection platform. However, the article explains that accepting information from a for-profit plagiarism-detection business, which ends its paper with a pitch to use software to avoid self-plagiarism, is problematic. The article discusses some of the misrepresentations in iThenticate’s paper, focusing on ethical issues within the argument. The authors close by explaining how “text recycling” presents a better alternative than rewriting things poorly in order to avoid plagiarism detection by programs like iThenticate. Inside Higher Ed (International)
