Top Ten
March 15, 2021
Douglas, SFU create guaranteed transfer pathway for Engineering Certificate graduates
Douglas College and Simon Fraser University have created a pathway to allow Douglas engineering students to pursue further education in SFU’s School of Sustainable Energy Engineering (SEE). Through the pathway, eligible Douglas students who have completed Douglas’ Engineering Certificate program are guaranteed entry into the second year of SFU’s Bachelor of Applied Science program. “With the addition of the Bachelor of Applied Science through the School of Sustainable Energy Engineering, our grads have the opportunity to develop in-demand skills and become leaders in clean technology sectors,” said Brian Chapell, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology at Douglas. Douglas (BC)
NAIT launches cybersecurity, data analytics certificate programs
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology has launched two post-diploma certificate programs: a Cybersecurity program and a Data Analytics program. The Cybersecurity post-diploma certificate will train students in mitigation strategies, policy and legislation, and legally defending against cyberattacks. The Data Analytics post-diploma certificate will prepare students to use data in a variety of industries to support decision-making and planning. Both programs are offered flexibly and take one year to complete. “These new programs are part of our vision to support learners throughout their careers with opportunities to further their education and upgrade their skills,” said Sue Fitzsimmons, NAIT VP academic and provost. NAIT (AB)
CA provides $4.8M in EDI grants to 12 postsecondary institutions
The Government of Canada has announced that it will be providing $4.8M in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Institutional Capacity-Building grants to 12 postsecondary institutions across Canada. The funding will allow Canadian research institutions to adapt and implement changes that will help under-represented and disadvantaged groups to overcome systemic barriers, increase EDI, and create inclusive career opportunities. Institutions receiving funding include Cégep de l’Outaouais, Centennial College, Collège de Maisonneuve, Emily Carr University of Art + Design, Georgian College of Applied Arts and Technology, Lethbridge College, Mohawk College of Applied Arts and Technology, NorQuest College, St Francis Xavier University, Université du Québec à Rimouski, University of Lethbridge, and Thompson Rivers University. CA (National)
Boréal, Bioenterprise collaborate to support Northern Ontario entrepreneurs
College Boréal has partnered with Bioenterprise to provide entrepreneurs in Northern Ontario with marketing and innovation support. The collaboration will use Bioenterprise’s national innovation network to link the region’s businesses to agri-food industry and business growth support experts. It will also create partnership opportunities between Boréal Research and Innovation and companies working in food and agriculture related technologies. The collaboration will strengthen support for Northern Ontario’s food producers and is expected to open new research and support opportunities in the agri-food sector. Boréal (ON)
Canadore Practical Nursing Program receives CNO approval
Canadore College has announced that its Practical Nursing Program has received approval from the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO). First-year Practical Nursing programs in ON must gain Nursing Education Program approval, which is a new evaluation and monitoring process for all entry-level nursing programs. Canadore’s program’s structure, curriculum, and outcomes were evaluated and approved under the new guidelines, indicating that Canadore’s program trains nursing students to practice safe, competent, and ethical nursing. Canadore (ON)
Engaging students when teaching online: Opinion
Instructors can use a variety of techniques to engage students when teaching an online course, writes Beckie Supiano. The author provides a number of suggestions compiled from instructors who have discovered ways to evaluate student understanding through using online tools. The most common suggestion was to use the chat feature creatively, as it can allow for engagement without requiring students to use their cameras or microphones. Supiano describes how instructors used chat to respond to student comments, encourage student feedback through rating the classes, and pose simple questions to gauge student understanding. Some other strategies included uses of polls, gifs, word-clouds or open-ended comments to both check student understanding and encourage active participation. The Chronicle of Higher Ed (International)
Centennial program receives Tourism HR Canada accreditation
Centennial College’s Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Management graduate certificate program has been granted SMART + Premium accreditation from Tourism HR Canada. The accreditation recognizes Centennial’s program as being responsive to changing industry demands and providing collaborative, hands-on programming that enhances Canada’s tourism industry talent. “This accreditation reinforces the uniqueness and premium academic quality within the Hotel, Resort and Restaurant Management program,” said Cyrus K Cooper, professor and academic coordinator of the program. “The program not only helps hospitality professionals build their skills, but also prepares them to advance their careers and make the move into senior leadership positions.” Tourism HR Canada (ON)
UQAM launches Enseigner à l’UQAM to support instructors
Université du Québec à Montréal’s Carrefour pédagogique et technopédagogique has launched a new website, Enseigner à l’UQAM, which will support and train teachers in pedagogical techniques. The website is built to serve instructors throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Through the website, teachers can access videos and texts that are grouped by theme and cover both pedagogy and technological aspects of teaching. The platform aims to support the development and maintenance of faculty members’ teaching skills, provide training for those in leadership roles, and promote pedagogical practices that will enhance student learning and success. UQAM (QC)
UAlberta community responds to $60.1M budget cut
The University of Alberta community is responding to the Alberta government’s funding cuts that UAlberta president Bill Flanagan says will reduce funding by $60.1M. Global News says that there is concern that UAlberta has been “disproportionally” affected by the budget cut. While Flanagan noted that UAlberta is proactively restructuring to reduce administrative cost, others worry about raised tuition and decreased quality of education due to the budget cuts. “We’ve built the reputation for the university as a world-class facility over many decades and this UCP government is compromising it here in a matter of months,” said NDP education critic David Eggen. A representative from the Association of Academic Staff of the University of Alberta noted that the budget cuts may also negatively impact provincial recovery. Global News (AB)
McGill24 fundraiser raises over $3.8M to support student initiatives
McGill University has announced that their McGill24 fundraiser, which campaigns for donations from alumni, friends, faculty, staff, and students, has raised over $3.8M. The funds will be used to support initiatives such as student research, athletics programs, and student-led projects featured on McGill’s Seeds of Change crowdfunding platform. “McGill24 has become a remarkable way for the McGill community to demonstrate its loyalty and affinity to the University, but just as importantly, it makes a tangible impact on academic and campus life,” said Marc Weinstein, VP of McGill University Advancement. McGill (QC)
