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Mar 02, 2023 • BC

The Government of British Columbia released its Budget 2023 this week. The budget’s main priorities include health and mental-health care, affordable housing, a clean economy, and addressing inflation costs. The budget also includes support for the Future Ready Plan, which seeks “to make postsecondary education and skills training more affordable and accessible” and help address the province’s need for skilled workers. BC states that the investment will add thousands of training seats to the postsecondary system and create a new grant for short-term training programs. The province has also announced funding to bolster the province’s health care workforce with new training seats and the creation of more financial supports for postsecondary students. The BC Association of Institutes and Universities issued a statement praising the budget’s commitment to reducing financial barriers for students.

BC, The Tyee, BCAIU
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Mar 02, 2023 • AB

The Government of Alberta released its Budget 2023 this week, which includes several announcements related to postsecondary institutions and students. This year’s budget includes $2.3B in affordability measures in 2023-24, as well as new relief measures such as a lower interest rates on student loans and a tuition cap that will begin in 2024. AB also made a $111M investment in expanding enrolment in academic programs with the highest demand. CBC reports that several institutions will also receive dedicated funding for their facilities.

CBC, Global News, AB
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Mar 02, 2023 • ON

The University of Waterloo will be working toward a more sustainable future for the aeronautics sector thanks to a nearly $10M investment from the federal government. The funds will support the Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Aeronautics’ research on technologies, processes, and policies that will enhance the industry’s resiliency and ability to meet emissions targets. Projects include experimentation with hydrogen and sustainable aviation fuels, a new Innovation Hub at the Waterloo airport, support for sustainable aeronautics start-ups, and new professional development courses. “This support will activate the transdisciplinary research and teaching needed to reduce emissions and prepare aviation professionals to transform this vital sector,” said UWaterloo President Vivek Goel.

Nation Talk, UWaterloo, CTV News
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Mar 02, 2023 • International

Peer-review exercises can offer distinct benefits to the classroom, but require clear guidance and structure, write Katherine Shwetz and Maria Assif. Drawing on their research and learning experiences, Shwetz and Assif explain that peer-led feedback exercises can leave students and instructors feeling drained, frustrated, and insecure. They offer six pieces of advice to make the process more rewarding, which include sharing the rationale for the activity, modelling appropriate feedback in class, and integrating reflective elements into the exercise. “[T]eaching feedback, instead of just assigning feedback, can go a long way toward improving the experience and learning outcomes for your students,” write Shwetz and Assif.

Inside Higher Ed
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Mar 02, 2023 • ON

Queen’s University, the Weeneebayko Area Health Authority (WAHA), and the Mastercard Foundation have partnered to launch the Weeneebayko Health Education Program to address healthcare challenges in Northeastern Ontario. The initiative will create programming and resources that will encourage Indigenous youth to pursue education in careers such as medicine, nursing, and midwifery after they complete high school. The program curriculum will follow a decolonized, interprofessional approach and include mentorship opportunities. “The healthcare professionals will train together in both the pre-clinical environment but in the hospitals and clinics, so they graduate ready to serve together in their roles,” said Queen’s and WAHA partnership senior advisor David Taylor. The Mastercard Foundation has provided $31M for the next two years to support the program.

Queen's, Winnipeg Free Press, CTV News, Turtle Island News
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Mar 02, 2023 • AB

A partnership between Red Crow Community College and Athabasca University will support Indigenous learners who are interested in pursuing a postsecondary education. RCCC will offer a one-year Niitsitapi Business Administration (NBA) program, which will include several AU courses. Those who complete the NBA program will then have the opportunity to continue their learning for another year at AU in order to obtain the Indigenous Community Economic Development and Planning (ICED) certificate or can choose to pursue an AU bachelor’s degree. “I’m seeing things differently now,” said NBA student Maxine Willows. “I never really looked into the Indian Act or the Treaties. They were just there. But now when I look, I realize, that’s kind of what hinders us. We still have to go through, in some sense, an Indian Agent.”

AU
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Mar 02, 2023 • ON

Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig is seeking an injunction against an eviction notice issued by its landlord, the Shingwauk Education Trust (SET). According to a SKG news release, SET sent an eviction notice alleging that the school’s building has fallen into “disrepair” since the Indigenous postsecondary school opened in the early fall. SKG officials claimed that the pre-existing issues with the building’s HVAC, plumbing, and electrical systems were not resolved prior to their initial move-in. Superior Court Justice Michael Varpio reportedly adjourned the matter until mid-March to allow SET time to find a legal representative.

CTV News, SooToday.com, Nation Talk
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Mar 02, 2023 • MB

This week, the Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology unveiled a partnership with North Forge Technology Exchange, with the goal of making tech entrepreneurship more accessible to all students. The partners will also launch the Women’s Innovation Lab later this spring to encourage more women into tech careers. “This is all about planting seeds,” said MITT Acting President Beverlie Stuart. “Whether they start their own business or become intra-preneurs at another organization, what a great set of skills to have.” North Forge states that this is their first formal collaboration with a postsecondary institution.

MITT, Winnipeg Free Press
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Mar 02, 2023 • ON

McMaster University will launch a Master of Biomedical Innovation (MBI) program in September, subject to final approval from the Government of Ontario’s quality council. This program is reportedly the first of its kind in Canada and is the result of a collaboration between the Marnix E Heersink School of Biomedical Innovation and Entrepreneurship and the Department of Surgery. The MBI program was made possible through an over-$32M gift previously donated by Alabama physician and entrepreneur Marnix Heersink and his wife. Admissions will open this spring.

McMaster
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Mar 02, 2023 • BC

University of the Fraser Valley has officially launched a new faculty—the Faculty of Business and Computing—bringing together its schools of business and computing under one umbrella. The two schools offer a variety of programming, including bachelor’s degrees, diplomas, and certificates. “Our new name highlights our core focus and our strong connection to the business and computing community and the future employers of our graduates,” stated UFV Business and Computing Dean Dr Christophe Schinckus. “We look forward to building further on those connections.”

UFV
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