November 12, 2024

The Government of Manitoba recently released its Critical Mineral Future plan, which outlines how the province intends to strengthen its minerals sector. The actions highlighted in the plan include connecting postsecondary and industry partners to support the creation of work-integrated learning opportunities, expanding apprenticeship training opportunities, and enhancing access and training opportunities for the University College of the North’s Northern Manitoba Mining Academy NORCAT program. MB also recently invested $2M through the Manitoba Mineral Development Fund (MMDF) to boost local employment and economic development in northern Manitoba.

The National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Division I Council recently voted in favour of permitting Canadian Hockey League (CHL) players to compete for NCAA teams–a change that is expected to impact Canada’s university sports landscape. CBC reports that Canadian university and college hockey teams have recruited former CHL players who want to pursue postsecondary education. Cégep Beauce-Appalaches Condors Head Coach Jonathan Ferland, Queen’s University Men’s Hockey Coach Brett Gibson, and University of Regina Cougars Men’s Hockey Coach Todd Johnson each commented that this rule change will change athlete recruitment in Canada, as American universities will be able to draw away more student athletes. However, Gibson and Johnson both commented that Canadian PSE will continue to be preferable to players that want to pursue a post-hockey career in Canada.

Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Digital Integration Centre of Excellence is partnering with the local company Metric Design on two projects that seek to advance interior design processes through innovative technologies. The first project will use digital twin technology to create a replica of physical spaces that can be used to more efficiently embark on the design process. The second will leverage AI and machine learning to auto-select design options based on consumer preferences, stock availability, and product dimensions. The digital twin project is set for testing in 2025, while the AI project will span three years. Funded by $730K in grants from NSERC and Mitacs, this project will also support student internships for the projects.

McGill University has received $1M from The Weston Family Foundation to support early intervention for REM sleep behaviour disorder (RBD) and Parkinson’s disease. Led by McGill’s The Neuro Clinician-Researcher Dr Ron Postuma, this project seeks to create a rapid, accurate diagnostic tool for RBD using actigraphy and data analysis. The aim of the work is to develop an accessible and affordable method for identifying RBD patients and assessing their risk of developing Parkinson’s disease in the future.

Oshki-Pimache-O-Win: The Wenjack Education Institute recently partnered with local Indigenous communities and health authorities to support learning. The Pikangikum Health Authority reached out to the institute to support learners in pre-health education. Through this partnership, Oshki-Wenjack staff offered hands-on training to Pre-Health Sciences Certificate Program students to ensure that they had the skills they needed to fully participate in their education. Oshki-Wenjack also worked with Grassy Narrows First Nation to identify the types of education that would directly benefit the specific workforce development needs of the community, such as pre-health, nursing, and mental health education.

The University of Saskatchewan’s Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) has received a $1M donation from Ellen Remai through the Frank and Ellen Remai Foundation. This gift to the Friends of VIDO fund will contribute to necessary facility enhancements, new equipment, scientific training, and research chairs and fellowship opportunities. “We are very fortunate to receive this significant gift from Ellen Remai, who is a tremendous and visionary community supporter,” said USask President Peter Stoicheff. “Mrs Remai’s gift speaks volumes about the potential benefits and impact of VIDO’s research, not only here in Saskatoon, but around the globe.”

In a recent University World News article, Sazana Jayadeva (University of Surrey) explores the role of study abroad influencers: social media figures who influence prospective international students’ aspirations and capacity to study abroad. Jayadeva uses Indian influencers studying in Germany as initial case studies to demonstrate how influencers can make studying abroad more accessible by acting as virtual “elder siblings” to students, offering essential information and cultural capital to inform student migration. The author observes that these influencers can even serve as informal education consultants, playing a key role in international mobility. Jayadeva concludes that study abroad influencers are vital intermediaries and that they should be studied further to better understand the current landscape of international student mobility dynamics.

Trent University’s Indigenous Environmental Institute has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Great Lakes Fishery Commission. Through this agreement, they will create a graduate and Indigenous learner scholarship program, identify key priorities for Indigenous-led research, and develop a new Community Partnership Funding Program to foster Indigenous and non-Indigenous research collaboration. “Through this collaboration, we will work to bring together Indigenous relationality and science with dominant science and create a deep and holistic understanding of Great Lakes ecosystems,” said Trent Indigenous Studies PhD Program Director Dr Barbara Moktthewenkwe Wall. “Our work will honor and bring to the forefront Indigenous knowledges and ways of knowing.”

The Government of Canada has announced two new investments through the 2 Billion Trees (2BT) Program to support tree planting across the country. In the first announcement, Canada indicated that it would provide over $200M in new funds to support tree-planting initiatives through non-profit organizations such as the Canadian Institute of Forestry, the Forest Gene Conservation Association (FGCA), and the Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve. In the second announcement, Canada announced that the Memorial University Botanical Garden would receive $295K to build a tree nursery, support future tree-planting projects, and act as a hub for outreach and community engagement.

Cambrian College’s Vale Electric Vehicle Lab has received $500K from the RBC Foundation. The funds will support the lab’s efforts to develop battery electric vehicles for use in the mining sector and enhance workforce training opportunities. The lab aims to accelerate the sector’s shift from diesel-powered to electric-powered mining equipment. “This donation supports us to move forward quickly, in our effort to drive innovation, sustainability, and the growth of green technology in mining,” said Cambrian VP of Finance, Administration, and Applied Research Janneke Nicholls.