November 8, 2022
In an article for the
Globe and Mail, University of Saskatchewan President Peter Stoicheff has called on the Government of Canada to increase investment into research. Stoicheff states that the United States, Britain, Germany, and Japan have all significantly increased R&D funding, and warns that Canada is now 28th in the OECD in graduate-level educational attainment. Without new investments, he writes, the country could suffer from a brain drain. According to Stoicheff, investments in research would not only help train and retain skilled researchers, but also drive up private-sector investment and thus foster sustainable economic growth. He finally warns that recent extreme weather events and the COVID-19 pandemic have made innovation in terms of sustainability more important than ever.
The Globe and Mail (National)
The University of Calgary celebrated the opening of Mathison Hall yesterday. The $90M addition to the university’s Haskayne School of Business features new classrooms, study spaces, and gathering places. The hall also features a four-storey atrium with a round-tiered transparent classroom called the Viewpoint Circle for Dialogue. “The industrial model of the “sage on the stage,” lecturing at the front of the classroom with students taking notes has changed dramatically — and not just because of the last two years,” write UCalgary Dean Jim Dewald and Calgary Chamber CEO Deborah Yedlin. “More than ever, students need a multi-disciplinary educational experience, one that exposes them to complex situations and allows for integrative problem-solving in a world where change is the only constant.”
Calgary Herald (AB)
Reflecting on the program’s first year, the University of Guelph has deemed the Integrated Mobile Police and Crisis Team (IMPACT) program to be a success. The
mental health initiative was launched in October 2021 between the university and the Canadian Mental Health Association. Since that time, the IMPACT program reportedly recorded 116 visits and had a worker attend 13 live calls. “We want to, as much as possible, to divert from a hospitals, and really look at if there are other ways to divert from a police response at all, and we have been wildly successful in doing that,” said IMPACT manager Aleah Wagner.
Guelph Today states that the program could be used to create similar programs at other universities across Canada.
UoGuelph |
Guelph Today (ON)
Members of Cégep de Saint-Hyacinthe’s men’s hockey team have been suspended after the cégep became aware of “unacceptable actions” that occurred at a private function. The incident reportedly contravened rules put in place by the coach and the cégep, and some players will be suspended until an internal investigation is complete. Quebec police were notified of the actions, but reportedly did not find grounds for charges. The cégep said that it has reiterated the importance of respectful and ethical behaviour and has made psychological support available.
CBC |
City News |
CTV News (QC)
Vancouver Island University has announced that it is now a bronze level-certified institution in Cooking Skills for Japanese Cuisine in Foreign Countries. The training will be incorporated into the Industry Training Authority (ITA) learning outcomes for the second year of VIU’s Culinary Arts program, in which students will learn about Japanese knife skills, Japanese ingredients and cooking methods, dietary culture, hygiene management, and Japanese hospitality and service. “Japanese culinary knife skills are considered the best in the world and this certification will provide students with the opportunity to gain knife skills that will aid them in their careers,” said VIU Culinary Arts instructor Avi Sternberg. VIU is reportedly one of only 12 institutions from around the globe that is certified to offer the training.
VIU (BC)
The Université de Moncton and the Université du Québec à Rimouski have both recently launched new research chairs. UMoncton received $1M over five years from the New Brunswick Health Research Foundation to fund the new FRSNB et de la Fondation J-Louis Lévesque Research Chair in Precision Medicine. The chair will be held by associate professor Dr Louis R Lapierre. UQAR has launched a research chair focused on artificial intelligence for digital, resilient, and sustainable supply chains. The chair is supported by $250K over five years from the City of Lévis and will be held by Professor Loubna Benabbou.
UMoncton |
UQAR (NB | QC)
The University of Windsor Faculty of Law's Class Action Clinic has received $3.1M in windfalls from the settlement of a $100M class action lawsuit against BMO Trust for undisclosed fees on foreign transactions. CBC reports that the clinic, which is run by a staff lawyer and law students, is the first of its kind in North America. After the lawsuit settlement payout, the plaintiff petitioned for half of the remaining funds to be given to the non-profit clinic because of its unique identity. “This award to the clinic is an important next step in Windsor Law’s rich history of upholding an access to justice mission for Canadians,” said UWindsor Law Dean Reem Bahdi.
CTV News |
CBC |
UWindsor (ON)
Selkirk College has broken ground on two student housing projects. The two new buildings will provide 112 more beds on the Castlegar campus and 36 more beds on the Nelson Silver King campus, increasing on-campus housing by 71%. The buildings will be built using sustainable materials and with accessibility in mind, and will provide students with housing at below-market rates. They will also include dedicated spiritual spaces which incorporate Indigenous traditions. The Government of British Columbia is providing $29.1M to the project, and Selkirk and the Columbia Basin Trust will provide $2M. The project is part of BC's 10-year housing plan to build 800 new student beds by 2028. The buildings are expected to be completed for the start of the 2024 academic year.
Selkirk |
BC |
The Nelson Daily (BC)
Conestoga College’s Athletics & Recreation department has opened a new Esports Hub on the Waterloo campus. The facility includes a variety of resources, including 36 gaming PCs, gaming consoles, a six-player competitive desk, and a control room for live-streaming productions. Students will be able to take part in open lab time, weekly programming, and events. “The esports ecosystem allows Conestoga to provide students with a number of things we excel at: amazing spaces, state-of-the-art technology, high-quality programming and exceptional student experiences,” said Conestoga AVP of Student Affairs Trish Weigel Green. “Investing in opportunities for students to learn and play while preparing them for future careers was an easy choice to make.
Conestoga (ON)
In a recent article for the
Chronicle of Higher Education, Aaron Basko discusses the “worst career advice” he has ever received and other conventional “wisdom” that can lead to poor career decisions. Basko writes that individuals who are told that they are not ready to move into a higher position should instead make a decision based on their situation and desired career path and advises staff who are asked to be loyal at the cost of honesty or as a result of a culture of fear to steer clear. While others may say to not worry about office bullies, the author notes that this rarely works and that individuals should be prepared to intentionally create a working relationship with them. Finally, Basko writes that results are not the only things that matter, and that individuals must consider the ramifications of taking risks for themselves.
Chronicle of Higher Ed (Acct. Req.) (Editorial)
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