July 29, 2024

The Southern Alberta Institute of Technology has received a nearly $1M investment from the Opportunity Calgary Investment Fund in support of the Alternative Construction Technologies (ACT) Hub. SAIT’s ACT Hub will use the funds to accelerate the development of innovative construction technology and manufacturing processes. The ACT Hub will also provide SAIT students with a place to practice working with cutting-edge equipment and develop their technical skills. “This funding will provide Calgary’s construction sector valuable access to manufacturing and materials expertise, as well as specialized research facilities,” said SAIT AVP, Continuing Education and Professional Studies Vis Naidoo.

The British Columbia Labour Relations Board has dismissed a bid from the Quest University Faculty Union to have Capilano University declared as the successor employer of Quest. The union argued that the transfer of assets, performance of similar work, and continuation of services to former students indicated that there was a successorship from Quest to CapU. CapU opposed the application, requesting that it be dismissed, while Quest did not file a response to the application. The LRB dismissed the application, citing rationale such as the purchase agreement for the lands; CapU’s renovations of the Squamish campus to “meet its own purpose [….] not the business previously operated by Quest;” and the fact that CapU did not attempt to benefit from Quest’s reputation, trademarks, logo, or name.

The Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières has officially been welcomed as the first transatlantic member of the European Energy Research Alliance (EERA). As a full member of EERA, Science Business explains that UQTR will be able to contribute to and benefit from research synergies and mutual learning opportunities with leading research institutions across Europe. The university’s involvement will initially centre around low-carbon energy research through the alliance’s joint programmes in the areas of bioenergy, fuel cells, and hydrogen. UQTR rector Christian Blanchette expressed gratitude to the Government of Quebec’s office in Brussels for making the membership possible.

Mohawk College and SEE Institute, which is based in the United Arab Emirates, have signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding to create opportunities for sustainable education, training, research, and academic studies. The two organizations will create and explore new opportunities such as student exchanges and pathways; credit transfers, dual credentials, and joint degrees; and research collaborations. “Our institutions share a common commitment to climate action and achieving the ambitions of the Paris Agreement and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals,” said Mohawk President Paul Armstrong. “We look forward to working with SEE Institute to create rich, empowering learning and life opportunities for the students and faculty of both our institutions.”

McGill University has withdrawn the injunction against the pro-Palestinian encampment that had formed on its campus, stating that court action was no longer necessary now that the camp had been dismantled. CBC reports that McGill’s lawyers were not present at the case management hearing scheduled for last Thursday; the proceeding was suspended and the law firm representing McGill later filed court documents to provide notice about the withdrawal. Students’ Society of McGill University VP External Affairs Hugo Victor Solomon said that the protesters were surprised but happy to hear about the withdrawal, given the future implications that further legal action would have had for student protests.

The University of Waterloo has established the Rogers Chair in Network Automation. The chair will support research and development in network automation, provide Rogers personnel with hands-on training, and seek to leverage financial support from government agencies to bolster research and innovation. The position will be held by UWaterloo Professor Dr Raouf Boutaba, who will be able to access field data and infrastructure through the partnership. “[This access] will enable us to achieve the kind of impact I value the most that is to see our solutions deployed in the real world and being used widely,” said Boutaba.

Dalhousie University recently announced its intent to take steps “to return the Studley Quad to be an open space available for the use of our whole community.” The university sta ed that it has finalized its commitments and that it will support continued opportunities for discussion and demonstration. The coalition of pro-Palestinian protesters on Dal’s campus expressed dismay and frustration with the institution’s decision and told CBC that they view the statement as a warning to leave before orientation week in September. The Coast reports that Dal cut power to the student encampment last Monday; protest members subsequently held a press conference in a campus building until asked to leave by Halifax Regional Police.

A committee of elected officials and citizens in La Pocatière is mobilizing to prevent the closure of the swimming pool at Cégep de La Pocatière, which is the only indoor swimming pool between Montmagny and Rivière-du-Loup. The cégep’s recent application for additional funding to repair the pool was rejected. Due to the pool’s condition, Cégep leadership has reportedly made the recommendation to its board of directors that it be closed. “We want to mobilize people, make them aware of the situation,” said Sauvons notre piscine committee member Francine Lamarre.

In a recent survey conducted by Inside Higher Ed, US postsecondary students identified several ways that their institutions could better promote their academic success. Surveyed students most commonly said that they wanted instructors to make changes to how they taught or assessed course material, such as by connecting class material to their future careers and ongoing issues. Following this, students asked for clearer academic program maps and pathways. When reflecting on broader supportive actions institutions could take, students pointed to affordable tuition, more research opportunities, and improved online systems for planning and tracking their program progress. Inside Higher Ed reporter Colleen Flaherty discusses how these findings relate to broader changes in the guidance space and highlights examples of how US institutions are attempting to better support students.

Several postsecondary schools are hosting special bootcamps and summer camps to give local youth an opportunity to develop their skills and explore higher education options. St Clair College and the University of Winnipeg hosted technology-related camps: St Clair hosted a two-week Esports Bootcamp, while UWinnipeg’s radio station introduced youth to the world of radio. Cambrian College’s Trades and Tech Summer Camp and Collège Boréal’s Minds and Metal summer camps introduced students to the skilled trades. Western University and Thompson Rivers University both hosted science summer camps where high school students were able to explore and develop their laboratory skills.