May 20, 2021
Katelyn Thomas from the
Montreal Gazette has connected with institutions to discuss the ways that the COVID-19 pandemic has pushed them to make potentially permanent changes to course delivery. Leaders such as Université de Montréal vice-rector of student and academic affairs Louise Béliveau and Concordia University interim Provost and VP Academic Anne Whitelaw discussed the ways that the pandemic sped up the process of adopting new approaches and encouraged greater thinking around pedagogy and student learning. Carleton University VP for teaching and learning David Hornsby noted that the move has led to additional opportunities and greater accessibility for students, and has led the university to plan for more online offerings and the use of “HyFlex” technology in the future.
Montreal Gazette (National)
The University of Calgary’s Haskayne School of Business has announced that will be receiving $1M from CPA Alberta for the creation of a student “collision” space at Mathison Hall. The area will be a busy space in which students gather to work together, socialize, and engage community leaders. The space will be named the CPA Alberta Commons in recognition of the gift. “Our students will benefit tremendously from this gift, and on their behalf I want to thank CPA Alberta for their timely and generous donation,” said Haskayne Dean Jim Dewald. “The personal connections made in university are fundamental to the post-secondary experience, and those important connections will be forged in the new CPA Alberta Commons.”
UCalgary (AB)
Assiniboine Community College has announced that it will be holding the “Armed for Fall Contest” to encourage students to get vaccinated for COVID-19. Students who can prove that they have received at least one shot of the COVID-19 vaccine by September 6th are eligible to enter a draw. The grand prize covers tuition and course fees for the 2021-22 year, and other prizes include $100 campus bookstore gift cards and college swag packages. “Vaccines are an incredibly important response to our global fight against COVID-19,” said ACC president Mark Frison. “We feel a pronounced responsibility to do our part as an organization to encourage vaccine uptake across Manitoba, and particularly among students.”
Brandon Sun |
CTV News (MB)
Brock University has announced that it will be launching a Department of Engineering which will begin welcoming students in the 2023-24 academic year. Students in the new Integrated Engineering program will learn about topics such as big data, artificial intelligence, robot automation, and medical devices, and will participate in experiential learning opportunities to gain professional skills and industry connections. “This is a monumental development for Brock University,” said Brock President Gervan Fearon. “It adds an important academic program in demand by students, and it supports the economic vitality of the region — these items are directly aligned with the strategic priorities of the University.” Brock says that its Integrated Engineering program will be one of only three in Canada.
Brock (ON)
Researchers from the University of Waterloo, the University of Alberta, and Western University have released a study titled “Should I Stay or Should I Go: International Students’ Decision-making About Staying in Canada.” The study investigated international students’ decision-making process around staying in Canada or returning home. The study found that the majority of international students had decided to stay in Canada after living in Canada for a few years. Several factors influenced students’ choices to stay or go, including family ties, employment opportunities, perceptions of the immigration system’s complexity, and experiences of isolation or racism.
EurekAlert! (ON | AB)
Postsecondary institutions across Canada are using a variety of methods to hold distanced convocation ceremonies and celebrate the graduation of their students. The University of Manitoba will be hosting a virtual convocation ceremony on a new platform that will allow students to participate in activities such as a digital photo booth, faculty chat rooms, and interactive exhibits. Lethbridge College students will be able to celebrate their convocations through the college’s website and social media pages, and University College of the North will be broadcasting their Commencement Ceremony on YouTube and Facebook. Capilano University will be holding drive-in convocation ceremonies that will include a car decorating contest, and those without cars will be able to view the ceremony from a rented electric vehicle seating area.
UManitoba |
North Shore News (CapU) |
Lethbridge News Now |
UCN (National)
Postsecondary institutions across Canada are using a variety of methods to hold distanced convocation ceremonies and celebrate the graduation of their students. The University of Manitoba will be hosting a virtual convocation ceremony on a new platform that will allow students to participate in activities such as a digital photo booth, faculty chat rooms, and interactive exhibits. Lethbridge College students will be able to celebrate their convocations through the college’s website and social media pages, and University College of the North will be broadcasting their Commencement Ceremony on YouTube and Facebook. Capilano University will be holding drive-in convocation ceremonies that will include a car decorating contest, and those without cars will be able to view the ceremony from a rented electric vehicle seating area.
UManitoba |
North Shore News (CapU) |
Lethbridge News Now |
UCN (National)
Great Plains College, Cumberland College, and Parkland College have announced that they will be collaborating on the International Recruitment and Admissions partnership. The pilot project will see one individual recruiting for all three colleges on the international file. The two-year collaboration will give the institutions more independence from external recruitment agencies and also be cost-efficient. “We are very excited to see this partnership and pilot project come to fruition,” said Great Plains president David Keast. “The partnership will allow us to build off of our foundational knowledge and collective expertise and will help mitigate the risks of international recruitment, in terms of mobility and costs, going forward.”
Great Plains |
YorktonThisWeek (SK)
Université du Québec à Montréal has announced that it is offering a new program that will train students to evaluate environmental, social, and governance issues when appraising investments. The 15-credit program will teach students about extra-financial indicators and ethical principles of economic and financial decision-making. Students will finish their training by participating in an integration activity which will see them using their skills in their workplace or internship. The program is offered in a hybrid or online format and is offered both full-time and part-time.
UQAM (QC)
CBC reports that McMaster University experienced a cyber security incident earlier this week that is being investigated. “At this stage, data remains secure but is not currently accessible,” wrote McMaster Spokesperson Wade Hemsworth. “While the incident compromised a limited number of systems, we took some systems off-line as a precaution ... most parts of the university are not impacted.” McMaster stated in a release that the incident could result in delays in offer of admission processing. Hamilton police have been notified, and CBC reports that local hospitals with access to the university’s systems are also monitoring the situation and working with McMaster to ensure they remain unaffected.
CBC |
McMaster (ON)
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