November 27, 2023

Université du Québec à Montréal has received $6.2M in funding from the Government of Québec in support of the redevelopment of a geoscience training space in its Centre de recherche sur la dynamique du système Terre (Geotop). The funding will go toward a $7.8M project to redevelop the space and upgrade Geotop’s scientific equipment, such as its spectrometers and cryogenic trap system. UQAM Geotop Directeur Daniele Pinti explained that the new rooms will offer optimal conditions for geochemistry research, while the improvements to the equipment will extend their lifespan by about a decade. 

A student housing project that is under construction at Selkirk College’s Castlegar campus is on track to open on time despite suffering “substantial” water damage. The damage occurred during a period of heavy rain, due to a sequencing issue during the construction. “Given the modules were at the finish stage, unfortunately there was some damage to flooring, drywall, millwork, and insulation,” said Selkirk Manager of Facilities Capital Projects Stephen Monahan. While most damage occurred on the third floor, some lower floor rooms were also affected. Selkirk has repaired the water damage and says that the leak will not impact the planned occupancy date.

Three Alberta Academy of Learning branches have closed without warning, leaving students unable to complete their courses or secure a refund. Student Tessa Phillips told CTV News that she discovered the career college had closed its doors in High River, Brooks, and Airdrie when attempting to reach the branches’ owner and director Jennifer Avery. Students told CTV that it has been months since they have been able to attend classes and Phillips noted that she is one of 100 students affected by the situation. “Due to privacy and regulatory requirements, we are unable to comment on these or any specific cases,” said Academy of Learning Managing Director Chris Gignac in a statement to CTV News. “However, we are and have been in continuous contact with the operator of the three schools as well the regulator in Alberta and remain fully committed to supporting all Academy of Learning students in completing their studies.”

Western University’s Centre for Functional and Metabolic Mapping (CFMM) has acquired a 15.2 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, which is reportedly the first in Canada. The $6M pre-clinical scanner will support neuroimaging research and interdisciplinary research on neurological disorders. Trainees will also be able to use the machine to gain hands-on experience. “With the 15.2T MRI system, Western will be well-positioned to attract top-tier researchers and collaborators and expand its leadership in imaging and neuroscience research,” said CFMM Research Scientist Ravi Menon. The system is anticipated to be ready for use by mid-2024.

University of Alberta Professor Richard Sutton is launching a non-profit lab through $4.8M in funding from Huawei Canada. The Openmind Research Institute, which Sutton will reportedly operate separately from his role at UAlberta, will focus on developing AI agents that are capable of human-level intelligence. The research will be open-source and neither Openmind nor Huawei will pursue intellectual property rights. The Globe and Mail reports that Huawei was restricted from working with Canadian universities in 2021, but is able to work with individual researchers directly. The Globe says Openmind is “adamant” that Huawei cannot influence its research. 

OCAD University has announced the launch of the Cultural Policy Hub, which will bring together researchers and partner organizations from across Canada. The hub will support policymaking, research, data analysis, program innovation, and knowledge mobilization and exchange in the arts and culture sector by bringing together cultural policy players. “This initiative builds on years of work and engagement with different levels of government,” said OCAD U Executive Director of Government and Community Relations and Public Policy Miriam Kramer. “We are looking forward to affecting evidence-based policy change with government.”

Université Laval lecturers represented by Syndicat des chargées et chargés de cours de l’Université Laval have voted 92.6% in favour of a 10-day strike mandate. The 1,600 lecturers have been without a contract since December and are seeking solutions to key issues such as job security. The union reportedly criticized university management for wanting to stop using seniority and competence as a basis for allocating teaching-related tasks. The union noted that though lecturers do more than half of the undergraduate instruction, their salaries make up 7% of revenue from tuition fees and government funding for university operations. 

Providence University College and Theological Seminary has announced new media production programming through its Centre for On-Demand Education. The centre will offer Certificate, Diploma, and Undergraduate Degree credentials in Media Production Arts. In an interview, Providence Media Production Program Director Nancy Wing explained that media production “doesn’t just involve technical skill, but an artistic vision,” which defines the difference between what AI software and what human beings produce. Wing further discussed the distinctive aspects of media production for religious or spiritual content, given Providence’s mission.  

Food banks at Simon Fraser University and the University of British Columbia are experiencing increased demand as students and local community members continue to struggle with the cost of food. SFU Student Society Vice-President of External and Community Affairs Navleen Brar said that the Student Union Building’s community fridge is used not just by students, but also by people living in the area who are struggling to afford food. UBC Senior Manager of Student Services Kathleen Simpson said that the demand for the campus food bank has risen every month. At Sault College, a group of students joined forces to collect 2,023 cans or non-perishables for Sault College Students’ Union food bank, and surpassed their goal with 2,714 items to help students who are in need. 

The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology’s on-campus meat store has undergone renovations to become an artisanal market with an upgraded storefront and extended display. The store now offers a variety of products created by students and instructors in NAIT’s meat-cutting, culinary, and baking programs, including meat, bread, soups, ready-to-cook meals, and canned goods. “[The] inspiration is to have all the [culinary, baking and meat-cutting] programs collaborated into one store,” said NAIT Chair of the Professional Meat Cutting and Merchandising program Rob Povey. Povey said that he hopes to see the store grow and offer more products.