September 9, 2021
The Royal Society of Canada has announced its new Fellows and Members of the incoming RSC College class. 89 new Fellows have been elected by their peers for their scholarly, scientific, and artistic achievements; and 51 new Members have been welcomed to the RSC College. The ceremonies will be held this November in a way that ensures all new members can participate from wherever they are. “This year, the Royal Society of Canada welcomes an outstanding cohort of artists, scholars and scientists, all of whom have excelled in their respective disciplines and are a real credit to Canada,” says RSC President Jeremy McNeil.
RSC |
RSC (New Members) (National)
Paramedics and police unions are expressing frustration as increasingly large and wild student parties present hazards to those responding. At St Francis Xavier University, two individuals climbed on top of an ambulance that was there in response to a call. The International Union of Operating Engineers Local 727 said that the incident was a “slap in the face” to paramedics. In Kingston, officers and paramedics responding to parties of up to 5,000 people in the University District areas said that they feel unsafe and ill-trained to deal with the situation.
The Kingston Whig Standard reports that officers have been assaulted and that paramedics are struggling to help patients without someone there to establish a perimeter. In Waterloo, students at Wilfrid Laurier University are facing criminal charges and possible expulsion after an illegal gathering of around 1,000 people and vandalism occurred over the weekend.
StFX |
CBC |
The Kingston Whig Standard |
CBC (National)
In a new article from
Maclean’s, Liza Agrba discusses the way that Indigenous institutes are reclaiming education. Erin Monture, CEO of the Ogwehoweh Skills and Trades Training Centre, explained that Indigenous institutes are integral to Indigenous students reclaiming their identity. “Our founding vision was delivering education in the community while staying rooted in Indigenous culture, knowledge and ways of being,” said Monture. In 2017, the Government of Ontario passed an act that formally recognized the province’s Indigenous institutes as a “third pillar” and made it possible for them to receive core funding and independently confer degrees, diplomas, and certificates. The Indigenous Adult and Higher Learning Association (IAHLA) in British Columbia and the First Nations Adult and Higher Education Consortium (FNAHEC) in Alberta are pushing for similar recognition so that they can receive core funding, develop and deliver their own programming, and plan for the future and for growth. “The act supports Indigenous control over Indigenous education,” said Six Nations Polytechnic President Rebecca Jamieson.
Maclean’s (Editorial)
York University’s School of Continuing Studies is launching a Certificate in Clinical Research for internationally trained professionals and new graduates interested in entering the healthcare field. Students in the program will gain the knowledge and skills to help plan, manage, and monitor clinical research and trials, adhere to good clinical practice, and abide by regulations and legislation to ensure ethical and scientific trials. The certificate is offered in a part-time, blended format, and includes an experiential capstone course in which students will integrate all knowledge they have learned throughout the course into an applied clinical research management simulation.
News Wire (ON)
Manitoba’s trucking industry is “roaring” back after COVID-19, with a strong industry demand for new truck drivers to address the growing economy and needs for service. The
Brandon Sun says that while previous concerns revolved around the pandemic, concerns now are focused on making sure there are enough drivers available. Terry Shaw, executive director of the Manitoba Trucking Association, said that approximately 600 new drivers will be needed each year for the next seven years, and that the Manitoba Trucking Association is promoting industry opportunities as much as possible. “It’s not just truck drivers,” said Shaw. “We need technicians and HR professionals, IT professionals, sales professionals, but truck driver is the most pressing need clearly.” Another article in the
Brandon Sun highlights how the Professional Transport Driving Training School is addressing industry demand by training truckers through an entry-level training program.
Brandon Sun (1) |
Brandon Sun (2) (MB)
The Université de l’Ontario français is starting its very first classes this semester at UOF’s new campus located in downtown Toronto. “This is a special day because the arrival of our initial cohort marks the fulfilment of a long-held dream of the Franco-Ontarian community,” said OUF President Pierre Ouellette. “As the weeks, semesters and years pass, each of us will be able to watch UOF develop and thrive, eventually claiming its rightful place on the provincial, national and international scenes.” Classes at UOF will focus on problem solving, collaborative research, and hands-on experimentation, and will include a variety of course delivery modes to meet the diverse needs of students and professionals.
Newswire (ON)
Students across Canada are facing issues securing affordable and safe housing. CBC reports that at Memorial University, the demand for residence is up 15%; many students are waitlisted for residence at MUN and others are unable to find housing that is up to their standards. In Halifax, many international students are struggling to find accommodation in a tight housing market where domestic references are required by landlords. In Ontario, Sheridan College has teamed up with Canada Homestay Network (CHN) and Places4Students.com to help international students who are having a hard time finding houses connect with Canadian families and help landlords connect with students who need housing. In Edmonton, Concordia University of Edmonton is also using Places4Students to provide students with more housing options.
CBC (MUN) |
The Star (Halifax) |
Insauga (Sheridan) |
CTV News (Concordia Edmonton) (National)
The University of Toronto has announced that it has received a green light to proceed with the development of a new Centre for Civilizations, Cultures & Cities on its St George campus. The building will house several academic departments and spaces such as a music recital hall with a view of downtown Toronto. The construction will conserve the existing 19th-century Falconer Hall building. Construction on the project is expected to take three years and will start in 2023.
U of T (ON)
Instructors with hearing loss are facing a new challenge when teaching students in-person in a masked environment, writes David Galef. When teaching in-person, understanding what students are saying becomes particularly difficult when students are soft-spoken, at a distance, or wearing masks that hide their mouths. Galef notes that the problem is made worse when HVAC systems have been reinforced. The author says that accommodations usually focus on helping students learn, not helping instructors hear students, and that most solutions are either prohibitively expensive or not safe due to COVID-19. Galef suggests that instructors tell students on the first day of class that they need to speak slowly, loudly, and clearly so that their instructor can understand them.
Inside Higher Ed (Editorial)
The University of New Brunswick has received a $5M investment from former Government of New Brunswick Premier Frank McKenna. The funds will be used to establish the McKenna Institute, which aims to support economic growth and social progress while making NB and Canada “digital trailblazers.” McKenna will also lead a campaign to raise $50M to support the institute’s mission. “In 2021, more than ever, digital technologies offer a path to global relevance, prosperity and growth,” said UNB President Dr Paul J Mazerolle. “UNB will be a crucial player in feeding the emerging technology ecosystem. There is significant opportunity in front of us and, through the McKenna Institute, we can achieve this transformation.”
UNB (NB)
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