February 3, 2022
The University of Winnipeg, Université de Saint-Boniface, and Red River College Polytechnic have announced that they will be sticking with online learning for the remainder of the Winter semester to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. UWinnipeg’s decision reportedly came after a survey showed that almost 80% of students and 70% of faculty and staff preferred to continue with remote learning for the rest of the semester. At USB, classes will remain online during the Winter term, with select courses potentially pivoting to in-person on February 28. Brandon University has stated that it will continue online learning this semester with classes of over 25 students.
CBC |
Winnipeg Free Press |
USB (MB)
Carleton University has partnered with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to launch a Professional Certificate in Air Transport Principles and Policy. The new certificate is designed for aviation and public sector professionals, and is offered by Carleton’s School of Public Policy and Administration (SPPA) and delivered by the Transportation Policy and Innovation Centre (TPIC). The certificate focuses on providing insight on the operation of the aviation industry and how decisions impact the sector through training on topics such as business practices and economics. “Governments sometimes formulate policy with incomplete information about the economic imperatives facing this industry,” said TPIC leader Dr Marc Rioux. “The program intends to close this knowledge gap.”
Carleton (ON)
Institutions across Canada have recently forged or renewed partnerships to contribute to the success of international students. Wilfrid Laurier University and IK Gujral Punjab Technical University (IKGPTU) in India have formed a partnership that will allow eligible students to transfer into WLU’s Computer Science program to complete their third and fourth years. Saskatchewan Polytechnic has renewed a partnership with Taegu Science University in South Korea to continue collaborating on international education and development opportunities. HEC Montréal has formed partnerships with the Emlyon Business School in France, ESAN Graduate School of Business in Peru, and ESIC in Spain to allow students to earn MBA diplomas from their home institution and HEC. Algoma University and EduGlobal College have partnered to create a seamless pathway for international students who wish to pursue baccalaureate degrees and graduate certificates at Algoma.
WLU |
Northern Ontario Business |
HEC |
Sask Polytech (National)
Dalhousie University has officially opened the Centre for Sustainable Soil Management (CSSM). The CSSM will provide a space for academic and scholarly activities focused on soil status and function. The centre will aim to address soil degradation and examine how building soil organic matter can ensure sustainability. CSSM will also provide educational opportunities through a Certificate in Sustainable Management and support for short courses. “One quarter of global biodiversity is found in soil,” said centre co-founder and Dal professor Derek Lynch. “Understanding and maintaining the functioning of soil life is key to sustaining the diverse ecosystem services, essential to life on earth, that soils provide.”
Dal (NS)
The University of Regina will be receiving over $500K in USD from the National Football League (NFL) to study the use of cannabinoids and concussions. The study, which is led by URegina Faculty of Kinesiology and Health Studies Professor Patrick Neary, will examine how an optimal formulation of CBD/THC can be created to reduce the incidence and severity of concussions. The study will also examine if genetics can influence response to particular formations of cannabinoids. “We know that CBD is anti-inflammatory, so it can help to reduce the inflammation while still allowing the brain to recover from those good chemicals that are coming in,” said Neary. In addition to receiving NFL funding, the study will also receive the equivalent of $400K USD in in-kind supports from My Next Health Inc.
URegina |
CBC (SK)
College of the North Atlantic has partnered with MyCreds to launch a platform that will allow students and alumni to access their transcripts and digital credentials virtually. The platform will allow students and alumni to access micro-credential information in a virtual credential wallet; students and graduates will soon be able to access their transcripts this way as well. The digital credential wallet will provide a fast and secure way for students and graduates to apply for and send documents to other educational institutions, employers, immigration authorities, and others. CNA is reportedly the first institution in Atlantic Canada to offer the digital credential wallets.
CNA (NL)
York University’s Glendon Campus has partnered with the Translation Bureau to train conference interpreters. Through the partnership, the Translation Bureau will offer educational support, training sessions, and internship opportunities to students in Glendon’s Master of Conference Interpretation (MCI) program. Students will have access to training sessions to prepare for the Translation Bureau’s accreditation exam and internships, and the Translation Bureau will participate in Glendon’s exam juries. “Mastering [conference interpreting] requires rigorous training, and together with Canada’s Translation Bureau, Glendon Campus will continue to provide state-of-the-art training that prepares students for the realities of today’s job market,” said Glendon Campus Principal Marco Fiola.
YorkU (ON)
Instructors can support students by incorporating mindfulness into their classes, writes Irina Popescu. Popescu argues that starting classes with just five minutes of mindfulness exercises can encourage student participation, help students feel heard, and promote mental health. The author describes a variety of techniques, such as starting classes with a meditation, body scan, and writing exercise to help students move their minds inside of the classroom; asking students to discuss their meditations; and providing “brain teaser” questions that deal with emotional responses to a problem set. Popescu encourages instructors to incorporate activities into their classes that promote self-reflection and prioritize creating a helpful environment for students.
Inside Higher Ed (Subscription) (Editorial)
The University of Manitoba has announced that it has signed the Scarborough Charter on anti-Black racism and Black Inclusion. UManitoba’s newly established Anti-Racism Task Force will drive the implementation of the charter, which will hold its first meeting in February. “The University of Manitoba is proud to endorse the Scarborough Charter,” said UManitoba President Michael Benarroch. “Its creation was a joint effort from voices across the country and within our institutions. Everyone from scholars to administrators to students had the chance to inform this pivotal document. It is an important declaration: we can and will do better in the area of anti-Black racism, and we will grow stronger because of it.”
UManitoba |
CBC (MB)
Northern Lights College has launched a dual credit pilot program with School Districts 59, 60, and 81 that will train high school students in early childhood education (ECE). The Early Childhood Education Dual Credit Program will allow students to gain an ECE Assistant Certificate so that they can apply to join the British Columbia ECE Registry and work at a licensed early childhood care centre. Students in the program will learn through an Integrated Learning model and will be able to work 20 hours a week with a qualified mentor in a licensed childcare centre. The program will allow students to earn credits toward both their high school graduation and an ECE Assistant Certificate.
Energetic City (BC)
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