Top Ten News

Jul 22, 2024 • International

Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) has released the Executive MBA Rankings 2024, which ranks executive MBA programs from around the world. Ten Canadian business schools appeared in the rankings, three of which appeared in the top 100: the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management (#31), Western University’s Ivey Business School (#43), and Queen’s University’s Smith School of Business (#62). These were followed by Concordia University’s John Molson School of Business (#101-110), the University of Alberta’s Alberta School of Business (#131-140), University of Ottawa’s Telfer School of Management (#131-140), McMaster University’s DeGroote School of Business (#151-160), Simon Fraser University’s Beedie School of Business (#151-160), University of Calgary’s Haskayne School of Business (161-170) and Saint Mary’s University Sobey School of Business (#181+).

QS (Release), QS (Rankings)

Top Ten News

Jul 22, 2024 • BC

Okanagan College is delaying the opening of a student housing project at its Salmon Arm campus until January 2025 due to weather impacts. The building’s drywall installation was affected by a cold snap in January and February. “The delay is not what we wanted – but it is worth the wait,” said Okanagan Provost and Vice President Academic Dr Samantha Lenci. “Once this building is fully constructed and open, it will have a significant impact on our Salmon Arm campus and learners from across the Shuswap and the Interior region.” Okanagan will help affected students find housing as they wait for the building to open.

Okanagan, Castanet, Penticton Western News, Vernon Matters

Top Ten News

Jul 22, 2024 • International

Students from China are passing on an education in Canada, thanks to a variety of factors that include shifting political relationships and growing issues around costs and study permit processes in Canada, reports Yvonne Lau for the National Post. York University Centre for Asian Research Director Qiang Zha explained that Canadian higher education is perceived as offering a second-tier education for Chinese students due to institutional performance on university rankings and a relative lack of prestige. Younger generations of Chinese students also reportedly view life in Canada as “monotonous” compared to life in China, and Lau adds that many are deterred by issues such as the cost of living and studying in Canada, study permit process issues, the treatment of students as security risks, and poor post-graduate work opportunities.

National Post

Top Ten News

Jul 22, 2024 • International

The Government of Canada and Republic of Korea have agreed on an Action Plan to implement the Canada-Korea Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which includes opportunities for collaborations and partnerships between the countries’ researchers. The action plan spans five pillars: values and human rights, security and defense, economic prosperity and security, environmental and energy concerns, and health and culture. Under several of these pillars, Canada and Korea will collaborate on research and development efforts and foster stronger links between researchers from the two countries. “The ambitious action plan we are announcing today outlines concrete steps and initiatives that will ensure Canadians can benefit from the enormous potential of our relationship with a strategic partner in the Indo-Pacific, now and in the decades to come,” said Canada Minister of Foreign Affairs Mélanie Joly.

Canada, Canada (Action Plan)

Top Ten News

Jul 22, 2024 • ON

In response to growing demand for housing, Conestoga College has extended its housing guarantee deadline for first-year students at the Waterloo and Brantford campuses. Accommodation for first-year students will be based on applicant preferences and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. “As we extend the deadline for guaranteed housing for first-year students, we want them to know we have a variety of suites and options available to suit their needs,” said Conestoga VP of Students Trish Weigel Green. Conestoga is also planning to invest $78M in student support services during the 2024-25 academic year, including health and wellness and food security supports.

Conestoga, CTV News

Top Ten News

Jul 22, 2024 • QC

The Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières has reopened four gymnasiums at the Léopold-Gagnon Centre de l’activité physique et sportive following major renovation work. The nearly $2.1M project saw the existing slab dismantled to remove all cement contaminated with pyrrhotite. The team then poured a new slab and installed a new floor covering that would ensure a safe base for sports activities. The project also included the installation of sports equipment that complies with strict safety standards.

UQTR

Top Ten News

Jul 22, 2024 • International

While the office of the president can be isolating and difficult to take on, its benefits still make it an attractive opportunity to many postsecondary professionals, writes Melody Rose for the Chronicle of Higher Ed. Reflecting on her experiences as an institutional leader, Rose highlights the unique benefits that come with leading an institution, such as the joy of participating in graduation day and the satisfaction of “hard-won battles” on behalf of the institution. Acknowledging the difficulties that come with the role, Rose then offers several suggestions for finding strength during crises and rediscovering joy in the work. “As the job becomes more difficult,” writes Rose, “it is incumbent upon those of us privileged to have had these moments to share the other side of the story.”

Chronicle of Higher Ed

Top Ten News

Jul 22, 2024 • ON

A scoping review conducted by the Canadian Curriculum Theory Project—which is led by University of Ottawa Faculty of Education Professor Nicholas Ng-A-Fook—highlights the need for a more inclusive science curriculum to address racism and misconceptions in science education. The researchers examined research activity and practice on anti-racism and science education in Canada, especially in the area of genomics and genetic education literacy. The review identified several areas across the educational system where the curriculum or institutional structure reinforced or failed to address racist myths in science and limited the opportunities for members of non-white, equity-seeking communities. The review calls for science educators to co-create a more inclusive science curriculum and sets the groundwork for research and policy initiatives that would support more equitable teaching and learning environments.

UOttawa, UOttawa (PDF)

Top Ten News

Jul 22, 2024 • QC

The Institut national de la recherche scientifique, École de technologie supérieure, and McGill University will be partnering on an interdisciplinary project focused on creating solutions to the climate crisis. Daniel Guay, Mohamed Mohamedi, and Ana Tavares from INRS; Omur E Dagdeviren and Lucas Hof from ÉTS; and Peter Grutter from McGill will collaborate on the creation of a new type of microscope that can reduce CO2 emissions. This microscope will also be used to optimize a CO2 reduction process that will create hydrogen that can be used for energy production.

INRS

Top Ten News

Jul 22, 2024 • International

Cloud systems, libraries, and exams at universities and colleges around the world were disrupted by the Crowdstrike Windows outage on Friday. The outage—which was caused by a defective software update—affected numerous industries around the world, including healthcare, transportation, and retail. In Canada, Athabasca University assured students whose ProctorU exams were disrupted by the outage that they would be given additional time to complete their exams, while Durham College told CP24 some of their systems had been impacted. Times Higher Ed reports that several university libraries in the UK experienced outages, while US universities reported issues for their IT departments.

Athabasca, CP24, Times Higher Ed (Acct Req)