Top Ten News

Apr 24, 2024 • AB

The University of Lethbridge has expanded its Resources to Support Excellence in Teaching (ReSET), an open-access repository of innovative and effective teaching methods. Originally developed during the pandemic to highlight best practices in hybrid teaching, ReSET is now a comprehensive online resource for academic staff interested in learning about the core characteristics of teaching excellence, accessing teaching resources, and reading on-campus examples of innovative and effective teaching. “We wanted to seize the moment of heightened attention to teaching and create a baseline for excellence on campus,” said ULethbridge History Professor Sheila McManus.

ULethbridge (1), ULethbridge (2)

Top Ten News

Apr 24, 2024 • QC

A recent study of youth in care in Québec underscores the need for more tailored supports to improve their educational and employment outcomes. The researchers determined that an unstable living environment has a direct impact on youths’ academic and career paths: Compared to their peers, youth in care were more likely to be Not in Employment, Education, or Training (NEET) at 21 years old; were less likely to hold a high school diploma; and, if employed, were more likely to be employed in precarious roles. The researchers recommended that better-suited tools and services should be provided to support academic success and foster stronger employment outcomes. The study was conducted by María Eugenia Longo (Institut national de la recherche scientifique), Martin Goyette (École nationale d’administration publique), and Marie Dumollard (Université de Montréal).

QC, Global News

Top Ten News

Apr 24, 2024 • PEI

The University of Prince Edward Island has officially opened the Catherine Callback Centre for Entrepreneurship, a new hub named after UPEI’s former chancellor that is designed to foster student entrepreneurship. The Catherine Callbeck Centre for Entrepreneurship will coordinate entrepreneurship activities across faculties; provide spaces for collaboration between students, mentors, and entrepreneurs; and develop new entrepreneurial-oriented experiential learning opportunities. The hub will house the Credit Unions of PEI Boardroom, open collaborative innovation areas for students, and other group workspaces. The space was supported by gifts and funding from supporting organizations and agencies, including a $2.25M contribution from the River Philip Foundation.

UPEI

Top Ten News

Apr 24, 2024 • SK

Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Digital Integration Centre of Excellence (DICE) and the agriculture technology company Ground Truth Agriculture Inc have partnered to improve the company’s use of AI to automatically grade grains. In their latest project, the partners will be collaborating on the creation of a system that grades red lentils by identifying any diseased and damaged kernels and other impurities in a sample. “Partnering with Ground Truth Agriculture offers Sask Polytech students and recent graduates remarkable internship opportunities,” said SaskPolytech DICE research manager Tanya Lung. “DICE interns gain exposure to new technologies and acquire insights into applying their skills within specialized industries like agtech.”

SaskPolytech

Top Ten News

Apr 24, 2024 • ON

Confederation College and Lakehead University have signed a pathway agreement that will optimize education in health care and reduce barriers to student mobility within Northwestern Ontario. Through this agreement, graduates of select Lakehead kinesiology programs will receive advanced standing in Confederation’s Paramedic or Medical Radiation Technology diploma programs. “We have observed that students with a kinesiology degree transition smoothly into these programs, as they come equipped with a robust foundation of knowledge,” said Confederation VP Academic Aaron Skillen. “This agreement formally recognizes their prior learning, streamlining their educational journey by reducing the number of courses they need to undertake with us.”

Lakehead

Top Ten News

Apr 24, 2024 • NL

Memorial University’s newly-formed Presidential Search Committee has resolved to involve an external firm in the search for its next president. The selection committee told CBC that they made the resolution after determining that Memorial’s internal staff do not have the capacity or expertise to recruit the next president alone. CBC and VOCM report that the decision is “not sitting well” with Memorial’s faculty association, which wants to limit the role of an external firm to information gathering and wishes for the search to be as open as possible. VOCM adds that the search process has come under scrutiny due to the departure of former Memorial President Vianne Timmons. Memorial Board of Regents Chairman Glenn Barnes noted that the nuances of the process—including whether it is an open, hybrid, or closed hiring process—are under consideration.

Memorial, CBC, VOCM (1), VOCM (2)

Top Ten News

Apr 24, 2024 • BC

Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s Applied Genomics Centre (AGC) has partnered with Optimi Health Corp on a new project focused on psilocybin-containing mushrooms. This project will use KPU AGC’s genomics technology to uncover the genetic makeup of Optimi’s psilocybin-containing mushrooms and contribute to the field of Psilocybin genetics. “Working with Health Canada licensed partners such as Optimi Health, we are able to ensure our partners achieve consistency for their products and achieve the best results for their research,” said KPU Bio-Innovation Lab Director Dr Paul Adams.

Newswire

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Apr 24, 2024 • ON

McMaster University is partnering with Pfizer Canada on an initiative that will address critical gaps in health equity and vaccine development. Supported by a $500K investment from Pfizer Canada, McMaster’s Global Nexus will support training for emerging vaccinology scholars from equity-deserving groups. This initiative also aims to address gaps in knowledge related to the vaccination of vulnerable populations, develop accessible education material on vaccines, and work with community partners to ensure a safe learning environment for the funded scholars. “This grant from Pfizer Canada underscores our shared commitment to advancing health equity,” said Global Nexus Executive Director Matthew Miller. “Through Global Nexus, these talented young scientists are driving innovation and addressing research gaps to ensure vaccines protect all communities.”

Newswire

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Apr 24, 2024 • AB, BC, QC

Several universities have shared the new and improved ways that they are improving sustainability on campus. Bishop’s University announced that it has reached carbon neutrality through initiatives such as the purchase of carbon offset credits, the implementation of a campus geothermal loop, and the increased use of sustainable sources of heating for campus buildings. The University of Lethbridge launched its inaugural Sustainability Strategy and Action Plan, in which the institution pledges that it will ensure all new buildings are LEED gold certified at minimum, create more sustainability competitions and events, and participate in the AASHE STARS program. The University of the Fraser Valley highlighted its experience conducting a waste audit on campus and explained how the learnings that will be used to improve waste management in the future.

Bishop’s, ULethbridge, UFV

Top Ten News

Apr 24, 2024 • ON

At a recent council meeting, the Waterloo City Council gave its stamp of approval to Wilfrid Laurier University’s new stadium project and Conestoga College’s plan to temporarily use a former hotel as student housing. As part of its approval for the WLU Stadium, the council agreed to amend the city’s Official Plan and Zoning by-law to accommodate the work on the stadium. This work includes the installation of new bleachers, scoreboards, and safety netting, as well as a seasonal dome for year-round use. The city council also praised Conestoga’s plans to use the former hotel until the lands are needed for redevelopment.

Waterloo, CTV News