July 16, 2021
Colleges and Institutes Canada has launched a new program under The Skills Compass initiative to help Indigenous and newcomer youth who are “Not in Employment, Education, or Training” (NEET). CICan will be supporting the co-design, implementation, and delivery of the program in collaboration with Douglas College, Bow Valley College, College of the North Atlantic, Red River College, and Collège d’Alma. Up to 150 NEET youth will be able to participate in the program “[O]ur Skills Compass program will leverage the strength and full potential of our member colleges and institutes to help Indigenous and Newcomer youth gain the necessary skills and experience to succeed in the labor market,” said CICan President Denise Amyot.
CICan (National)
A group called “Price of a Dream” has launched a program that will help Ontario students for whom medical school application costs would be a burden. The Ontario Medical School Application Fee Waiver Pilot Program will allow students to have processing and application fees waived for three Ontario medical schools of their choice. The pilot – which is in collaboration with the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada, the Council of Ontario Faculties of Medicine, and the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre – is expected to save successful applicants between $500 and $1K. Applicants must provide tax information to prove need or can contact AFMC to discuss a unique financial situation.
OUAC |
The Star (ON)
Lakeland College has launched a blended animal health technology program that will allow students to become registered veterinary technologists. Students will be able to complete lectures, course work, assignments, and exams online, while participating in their required labs and practicums in person at Lakeland’s Vermilion campus Animal Health Clinic. “With the support of our advisory committee, we created a blended AHT option to help meet the need for qualified veterinary technologists within the animal health industry,” said Geoff Brown, Lakeland dean of agricultural sciences and environmental sciences. “We’re excited to provide a second program option for students who’re eager to provide life-saving care in the veterinary field.”
Lakeland (AB)
The University of Toronto’s Transportation Research Institute and OCAD University have announced the launch of a research study called iCity 2.0: Urban Data Science for Future Mobility. iCity 2.0 is a four-year initiative that builds on the five-year iCity project that concluded in 2020. It will focus on preparing for population growth by using data science to inform urban transportation systems and livable “complete communities.” The project will focus on challenges such as managing risks and benefits of mobility services, developing tools and concepts to plan, build, and evaluate communities, and reallocating surface transportation network capacity. The project received $3.14M in funding from the Ontario Research Fund, as well as matching funds from institutions and industry.
U of T |
OCADU (ON)
The decolonization of research must be prioritized to enable the decolonization of university curricula, writes Masi Noor. The author explains that the main conversations around decolonization often focus on the micro- and individual levels, while other larger matters are not addressed. Noor identifies issues such as funder preferences, the use of English in communicating scientific knowledge, and research being led by relatively privileged people who focus on people living in Western countries to the exclusion of others. Noor explains that academics must be given time and space to imagine a more inclusive, anti-racist space, and that individuals and institutions must be empowered to embrace change.
Times Higher Ed (Editorial)
Maritime universities are preparing for domestic and international students to return to campus regardless of their vaccination statuses. St Thomas University associate vice president of enrollment management Ryan Sullivan explained that the institution is promoting student vaccination in anticipation of students on campus, and that a small number of international students will be required to isolate when they arrive. The University of New Brunswick and Saint Mary’s University both will require students who have not been fully vaccinated to follow quarantine guidelines.
CTV News (NB | NS | PEI)
The Government of Canada has provided $40M to create the Mining Innovation Commercialization Accelerator (MICA) Network, whose primary partners include Saskatchewan Polytechnic; MaRS, which was founded by the University of Toronto; and the College of the North Atlantic. The MICA Network will be based in Sudbury, and connect mining clusters as well as mining companies and suppliers, academic and research institutions, and innovators. “[The funding] will help bridge the innovation-to-commercialization gap for the benefit of both Canadian mining companies and innovators by providing them with the tools, knowledge and expertise they need to meet the future demands for Canada's critical minerals,” said minister of Innovation, Science and Industry Francois-Philippe Champagne.
CBC |
Canadian Mining Journal (ON)
Red River College has launched an Energy Advisor program in collaboration with the Manitoba Environmental Industries Association (MEIA). Students in the 15-week micro-credential will develop the necessary skills to become certified Energy Advisors and will be eligible to pursue the Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) federal examination and achieve NRCan certification. The program is offered part-time and is geared toward upskilling students who are currently working in fields such as construction, trades, or engineering. “By leveraging the in-house expertise at RRC’s dynamic research facilities — including the Building Efficiency Technology Access Centre (BETAC) — along with our partners at MEIA, we’re delivering specialized skills training to prepare Manitobans for immediate employment in the growing sector of sustainable infrastructure,” said RRC VP, Academic and Research Dr Christine Watson.
RRC (MB)
Burnaby City Council recently debated a proposed Burnaby Mountain gondola route, which would allow students to take a more direct route to Simon Fraser University. While city staff agreed that Route One—which would go from Production Way to the SFU bus exchange—would be the best solution to SFU’s transportation issues, residents that would be affected by the proposed route expressed concerns about issues such as noise, privacy, safety, and compensation. Burnaby City Council also reviewed the routes and asserted that sufficient public consultation was not performed, that TransLink should not be creating plans without knowing compensation costs, and that people should be discouraged from going up the mountain due to the environmental impacts.
VancouverIsAwesome |
DailyHive (BC)
CDI College has launched a month-long Mental Health Awareness Campaign. The initiative will focus on engaging people in conversations about mental health through a platform that allows them to share mental health stories. CDI’s initiative will feature student anecdotes, interview, and blog; employee training and resources; a social media awareness campaign; and an interactive panel discussion. The initiative is designed to address the mental health challenges within the communities in which CDI works.
NewsWire (National)
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