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Dec 19, 2023 • ON

Western University has received an $8.5M donation from hearing implant company MED-EL that will improve care for patients with hearing loss. Western matched the gift to establish endowed research chairs in neurotology and translational hearing innovation. The chairs will be held by Dr Sumit Agrawal and Hanif Ladak, who will focus on customizing cochlear implant programming to improve the sound quality and listening experience for patients. “[The donation from MED-EL is] creating opportunities that will evolve the cochlear implant technology further to improve outcomes for patients,” said Ladak. “As a biomedical engineer, being able to impact patients at this scale is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Western
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Dec 19, 2023 • NU

At a meeting in Ottawa earlier this month, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami’s Board of Directors endorsed a series of recommendations that will guide the development of a university in Inuit Nunagat. ITK’s next steps include determining the university’s future location and the academic programming that it will offer. They will also create an interim governance body that will draft bylaws, operation policies, and the legislation that will govern the institution.

ITK, Nation Talk
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Dec 19, 2023 • QC

Université du Québec à Montréal’s administrative council has approved the creation of a new faculty of health sciences, as well as an associate vice-rector role that will oversee the development of the faculty. The associate vice-rector will have a three-year mandate to support the development of the new faculty project by contributing to a detailed analysis of the new faculty, supporting the development of health programming and research, and representing the university to health sector partners. UQAM Rector Stéphane Pallage praised council’s unanimous decision as an important milestone for the faculty project.

UQAM
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Dec 19, 2023 • MB

The University of Manitoba will be working with the Dakota Ojibway Tribal Council (DOTC), Disney/Lucasfilm, and APTN to create an official Anishinaabemowin (Ojibwe) version of Star Wars: A New Hope. “Like the Force, our language surrounds us, penetrates us, and binds our communities and culture together,” said UManitoba AVP Indigenous Scholarship, Research, and Curriculum Cary Miller. “Projects like this that make our language more accessible are foundationally important to encouraging our youth to carry on our knowledge — including that of science and technology — which are embedded in our Anishinaabe language.” 

APTN
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Dec 19, 2023 • ON

Fleming College has broken ground on its new Haliburton residence, which will have 47 beds. The $16M residence will house students in Fleming’s Haliburton School of Art and Design certificate and diploma programs, as well as students who are attending summer programs and workshops. “The development of this residence not only demonstrates Fleming’s commitment to the county of Dysart, it will provide safe and secure housing for all future students, as well as economic and housing opportunities for the region,” said Fleming President Maureen Adamson. “This development is an example of what college and community partnerships can build together.”

Fleming
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Dec 19, 2023 • SK

Saskatchewan Polytechnic and the University of Regina have signed an Early Childhood Education transfer credit agreement that creates a new pathway to a bachelor of education degree. Under the agreement, eligible SaskPolytech ECE diploma program graduates will be able to enter URegina’s Early Elementary or Middle Years BEd program with up to 30 credit hours towards their degree. “Sask Polytech’s collaboration with the University of Regina through agreements like this reinforces our strong academic partnership,” said Sask Polytech School of Human Services and Community Safety Interim Dean Kelly Maddin. “Encouraging ECE students to continue their education can help meet the growing need for experienced teachers throughout Saskatchewan.”

Sask Polytech, URegina
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Dec 19, 2023 • AB

The Edmonton Journal reports that the University of Alberta removed a Christmas tree from its holiday display after a law student asked if she could add a menorah to the display. UAlberta student Rachel Cook told the Journal that she did not have any concerns about the existing decorations, but wanted to see Jewish representation added to the display. “I have not talked to a single student on campus who has a problem with a menorah,” Cook added. UAlberta Spokesperson Michael Brown stated that “some decorations were moved in order to maintain the intent of seasonal decorations in this shared space, which is to be secularly festive.” Brown added that events that are religious or spiritual in nature can be held in bookable spaces.

Edmonton Journal, True North, Western Standard, National Post
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Dec 19, 2023 • QC

Henry Mintzberg (McGill University) and Susan Mintzberg (McGill) discuss an alternative to the “looking-on” ivory tower approach that much of higher ed’s operations currently follow. The Mintzbergs explain that an alternative “reaching-out” model sees the institution cross the “strict boundaries between the university and the so-called ‘real world’”. They discuss how this model operates on the fronts of research and research dissemination, education, and administration. While the new proposed model comes with benefits, the authors note that there is still value in the “looking-on” model and ultimately call for a balance between the two approaches.

University World News
Opinion

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Dec 19, 2023 • ON

Ontario Tech University’s Continuous Learning department and RoboGarden have partnered to make their Full Stack Development Bootcamp accessible around the world. Students will learn about the development and programming process and learn how to build and architect an application while considering platforms and usability requirements. AI-supported features will help them develop their skills faster while the course will be customized for them. “This course will not only help students expand their digital skill sets but also provide them with real hands-on experience working with knowledgeable mentors at a world-class learning institution—a potent differentiator on any CV or application,” said Ontario Tech Director of Continuous Learning Chris Hall.

Newswire
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Dec 19, 2023 • NS

In a recent article from The Coast, reporter Lauren Phillips highlights Mount Saint Vincent University’s prison education program and the challenges and successes the team has had bringing learning to people in prison. Phillips explains that MSVU offers its existing programming to incarcerated students by changing the course delivery to a paper format, since internet use is banned in federal prisons. MSVU Assistant Professor El Jones said the team at MSVU collaboratively mitigates the challenges posed by a lack of internet access by mailing materials back and forth, making recordings, and helping students type out their work. Jones said that the program breaks barriers, gives students pride in their accomplishments, and makes the university a place that everyone can be.

The Coast
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