November 23, 2022
Two CubeSats designed by student teams from Dalhousie University and the University of Victoria will be launched to the International Space Station later this week. The miniature satellites were created by students as part of the Canadian CubeSat Project, which sees teams from postsecondary institutions across Canada designing, building, launching, and operating their own miniature satellites. The LORIS from Dal is focused on testing a frame made out of lightweight metal alloys and validating the use of onboard solar energy and battery storage technology to stabilize the satellite, while the ORCASat from UVic intends to better understand “dark energy,” an enigmatic form of energy making up over two-thirds of the universe. The launch will be covered live by NASA.
Canada |
Canada (CubeSat) |
CHEK News (NS | BC)
The University of Regina has celebrated the grand opening of the Centre for Experiential and Service Learning (CESL). The new centre brings together several services for students, such as the Volunteer Centre, Cooperative Education and Internships, Student Employment Services, and career preparation services. “In establishing the CESL, our primary goal is not only to provide a customizable marketplace for students to explore their interests and to develop skills, but to be able to track that engagement and then, with the assistance of instructors, peers and CESL staff, readily articulate the many applied skills they have acquired in their time at the U of R, whether it be for further career or educational aspirations,” said URegina Director of Student Success Kevin Bolen.
URegina (SK)
The University of Toronto has partnered with Shoppers Drug Mart to study how pharmacists can support the health system. U of T’s Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy and Dalla Lana School of Public Health will review and evaluate the potential of expanding the role of pharmacists and investigate how pharmacy teams can improve access to care. The collaboration has received $3M from Shoppers Drug Mart, which will be used to support research projects and provide students in the faculties with scholarships. “To make our health systems more effective and resilient, we must enable each health professional to fully deploy their skills and expertise,” said U of T Dalla Lana School Dean Adalsteinn Brown.
Newswire (ON)
Thompson Rivers University has again achieved a platinum rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education’s (AASHE) Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System (STARS) program. The university was recognized by STARS for initiatives such as the Campus Tree Program and Fill it Forward. TRU is reportedly the first Canadian university to have achieved the accolade twice and one of six in the world to reach double platinum. “Sustainability is about making decisions that factor in environmental, social and economic considerations at the same time,” said TRU Sustainability Programs Manager James Gordon. “It’s not easy, and it’s more complex, but in the long run, it’s the right thing to do.”
TRU (1) |
TRU (2) |
Castanet (BC)
The Government of Prince Edward Island has increased its commitment to a new Faculty of Medicine at the University of Prince Edward Island. The province originally committed to the construction of a 75,000-square-foot building, but UPEI Interim President Greg Keefe told CBC that a bigger building was necessary to host the intertwined nursing, paramedicine, and veterinary medicine programs within the Faculty of Medicine. To meet these needs, the institution instead plans to construct a 135,000-square-foot building, with PEI committing $122.7M to the building and UPEI planning to fundraise $10M. The university plans to welcome its first cohort of medical students in Fall 2024.
CBC (PEI)
Centennial College, the British Columbia Institute of Technology, Camosun College, and Vancouver Community College have each announced fully funded programs that will provide free training in in-demand fields. Centennial has partnered with Native Child and Family Services of Toronto and Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child & Family Services to offer a fully funded Early Childhood Education – Indigenous Stream. Indigenous learners from Toronto and the Durham region will take part in part-time early childhood education studies and will receive free tuition, supplies, and allowances. VCC is offering an administrative accounting and bookkeeping training program that is funded by the Government of Canada. The specialized, 22-week course includes four weeks of work experience with a local employer. Camosun and BCIT have received renewed funding and support for their Bridge Watch Rating program, which provides training and certification for Indigenous peoples and women in the marine industry.
Newswire (Centennial) |
VCC |
Camosun (ON | BC)
Scholars who are working as faculty members at a university should use their privilege to support “independent” researchers who may struggle without institutional support, writes Annie Berke. Between an overproduction of PhDs and the disappearance of secure academic jobs, the author writes that many intellectuals opt to become “freelance” or “independent” researchers. Berke encourages faculty members to use their university channels to boost unaffiliated scholars’ work; find ways to share paywalled scholarship with them; cite, review, and purchase their work; and offer them academic perks such as speaking gigs or an invitation to a work group. Finally, Berke recommends that the term “independent scholar” be retired, as all intellectuals are dependent on one another.
Chronicle of Higher Ed (Acct. Req.) (Editorial)
The Abbotsford Disaster Relief Fund launched by the University of the Fraser Valley, Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce, and Abbotsford Community Foundation has raised $4.4M over the past year. The fund was created within two days of the November 2021 floods to support recovery work. 80% of the funding has already been distributed to local farmers, businesses, and front-line grassroots organizations. “It was incredibly moving and inspiring to watch our community come together so quickly to support each other through this dark period,” said Anita Nielsen, executive director of advancement at UFV. “As a coalition, we felt it was vital to provide immediate financial aid to flood victims while working alongside other community partners to assess and address the longer-term impact.”
Abby News (BC)
OCAD University has launched a new recycling project at its DESIGNwith design lab that uses old institutional materials. The lab is currently focused on upcycling old OCAD U banners that were in use from 2013-2021. The material, which otherwise may have been sent to the landfill, will be turned into fashionable tote bags and purses. “The goal is to repurpose the banners for social good and environmental sustainability, while incorporating design elements informed by the material to create one-of-a-kind, artful and practical bags,” said OCAD U Associate Professor Ranee Lee. “I am excited to see this project come to life to show how designers can close local loops with our community using existing waste streams.”
OCAD U (ON)
NSCAD University and the Faculty Union of NSCAD (FUNSCAD) Unit I have reached a tentative four-year agreement. FUNSCAD represents regular full-time, pro-rated, and part-time faculty at the institution, and the two parties have been in negotiations since August. The union’s previous collective agreement expired at the end of June. NSCADU says that a ratification vote will be held as soon as possible, after which time details of the agreement will be available.
CTV News |
NSCADU (NS)
rtraction