July 10, 2024

The Government of Ontario has announced a $201M investment that will enable postsecondary institutions to undertake crucial repairs, purchase equipment and learning resources, and upgrade their facilities. The funding will be distributed through three programs: the Facilities Renewal Program ($171M), which focuses on critical maintenance, repairs, and upgrades; the College Equipment and Renewal Fund ($20M), which colleges can draw on for equipment and learning resources; and the Training Equipment and Renewal Fund ($10M), which universities can draw on to purchase equipment and resources. Colleges Ontario and the Council of Ontario Universities both welcomed the funds and emphasized the importance of repairing and renewing postsecondary learning spaces and tools.

Cégep de la Gaspésie et des Îles recently awarded the contract for the construction of a new student residence for its Carleton-sur-mer campus. The residence will be a 24-unit, two-storey residence building, with some units reserved for students from a local vocational training centre. Cégep leadership told CIMT/CHAU that the institution is currently navigating legal challenges around the transfer of the land, which currently belongs to the Centre de services scolaire René-Lévesque. Construction on the residence is expected to begin next month to ensure that the building is ready for August 2025.

In an interview with the evoLLLution, University of Calgary Associate Director of International Professional Programs (IPP) Deepa Acharya provides insight into the holistic experience UCalgary IPP offers for international students. Acharya explains that the UCalgary IPP uses cohort-based programs to help foster community between students who are new to Canada, which improves retention and success. Over the last few years, Acharya states that the IPP has introduced new career-related supports to help international students progress toward finding a career in Canada, introduced lessons around classroom etiquette and academic integrity, and launched more social events. Looking to the future, the IPP will launch a student prep course in the Fall to ensure students are prepared for life in Canada and studies in Calgary.

The University of Manitoba has signed four new partnership agreements with institutions in Morocco to advance shared research priorities in green energy and sustainable agriculture. The agreements were established earlier this summer with the Université Mohammed Premier, Université Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdullah, Université Moulay Ismail, and the Institut National de la recherche agronomique. The partnerships aim to develop academic programs, facilitate knowledge exchanges, and coordinate faculty and student mobility for research and teaching. “Through collaboration and exchange we can magnify the impacts of our research to the mutual benefit of our institutions and provide a model for environmentally sustainable food production across Africa and around the world,” said UManitoba VP (Research and International) Dr Mario Pinto.

Sault College will offer a one-year Biidaaban – Indigenous Foundations certificate program beginning in Fall 2025. Indigenous and non-Indigenous students who enrol in the program will develop their math, writing, and learning skills; learn to apply Indigenous values, knowledge, and world view; and explore courses from a variety of areas. Students are prepared by the program to pursue further education. “This program is for Indigenous and non-Indigenous learners who want inclusive learning while strengthening their skills and exploring future career option,” explained Sault Professor Tammy Ross, who helped co-develop the program.

Keyano College will soon be home to a new Indigenous Student Centre on its Clearwater Campus. Construction recently began on the centre, which will feature a ceremonial area, a learning common space for study and group activities, a communal kitchen, and a space for the Aunty or Elder-in-residence program. The new centre recently received a $250K donation from the Bouchier Family Charitable Trust. “By enhancing our campus environment, we aim not only to benefit all students but particularly to foster representation and a sense of belonging for our Indigenous community,” read a statement from Keyano.

In an article for Times Higher Education, Laura Feetham-Walker (Institute of Physics Publishing) discusses a variety of challenges facing peer review processes, including reviewer fatigue and a lack of representation in reviewer pools from women, people from low-income countries, and junior reviewers. The author explains that the institute is combatting these issues through efforts such as providing free peer review training, offering structured feedback on reviews, and implementing a co-review scheme that pairs senior reviewers with junior colleagues. The author adds that publishers should also listen to the reviewer community and adjust accordingly. “That way, our peer reviewing capacity will be able to expand to better meet demand while maintaining timeliness, high standards and broad representation,” concludes Feetham-Walker.

Northern Lakes will launch a Child and Youth Care Diploma program this September. The program will equip learners with the skills they need to work effectively with children and youth, as well as their families and communities. It covers topics such as mental health, trauma-informed care, and ethical practice and includes three practicums to offer students hands-on experience. The program takes two years to complete and is available through distance learning. “Graduates will have developed and honed their practical skills and will be ready to go directly into practice and become contributing members of a team,” said Northern Lakes Dean of Health, Human Services & University Studies Dr Michelle Mitchell. “This will contribute to building needed capacity in the sector of mental health specifically focused on children and youth.”

York University School of Continuing Studies has unveiled a Certificate in Digital Marketing Analytics that will launch in January 2025. Students who enrol in this six-month, part-time program will develop their skills in digital marketing analytics and learn about topics such as marketing metrics, consumer behaviour, data models, and marketing analytics techniques. “In our discussions with marketing leaders and employers, they have stressed the increasing importance data literacy plays in maximizing their marketing efforts and spending,” said YorkU AVP of Continuing Studies Christine Brooks-Cappadocia. “This program will give professionals a comprehensive education in marketing and analytics with hands-on practice using analytics tools and techniques they can immediately use in their current roles.”

Northlands College has ratified a three-year collective agreement with the Saskatchewan Government Employees Union (SGEU) – Local 4253. The agreement includes a wage increase throughout the term and introduces new strategies to bolster truth and reconciliation. Northlands President Karsten Henriksen applauded the agreement, acknowledging the “dedicated work of the SGEU Negotiating Team and the College’s Bargaining Committee which has culminated in the ratification of this important new agreement.”