September 12, 2023

Bow Valley College’s Centre for Entertainment Arts (CEA) recently unveiled a larger-than-life statue of Wonder Woman. The statue of DC Comics is over two meters tall and located on the third floor of BVC’s Calgary campus, where it is “watching over” the CEA studio. “We wanted something to inspire our Centre for Entertainment Arts students as they arrive for classes,” said BVC Dean of Business, Technology, and CEA Alison Anderson. “We chose Wonder Woman because she is a powerful figure, exudes confidence, and is a wonderful representation of inclusivity in the creative industries.”

York University’s Lassonde School of Engineering recently launched the Digital Technologies program, which the university says is Canada’s first fully work-integrated degree program. Learners will be employed full-time for four years”spending 80% of their time on the job and 20% of their time engaged in theoretical, in-class learning”as they pursue a bachelor of applied science degree. Students will work at organizations such as the Bank of Montréal, Ceridian Canada, and Shopify. “To scale up Canada’s tech workforce, universities and employers need to collaborate to create and facilitate more affordable, inclusive post-secondary education pathways to digital technologies careers,” explained YorkU Lassonde School Dean Jane Goodyer.

In a recent editorial for University Affairs, Maxime Bilodeau summarises the findings from a recent report on the status of French-language scientific publications in Canada. In 2021, only 0.6% of scientific publications in Québec were reportedly written in French; Bilodeau contends that this number represents a gradually decline since the early 2000s. In response to this finding, several leaders have called for a stable, dedicated pot of funding devoted towards French-language sciences. The writer also draws attention a recommendation put forth, that would see a central organizing body coordinate French-language and scientific publishing in Canada.

The Navigate Incubator and Makerspace–a partnership between Memorial University and the College of the North Atlantic–has received over $1M from a recent funding boost from the Government of Canada and Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. The joint investment will go towards the space’s general operations and programming, as well as the purchase of specialized equipment for its training areas, carpentry and welding shops, and the clean makerspace. “This investment means residents of the whole region, and their collaborators, have access to cutting edge technology, expert advice, and a comfortable environment in which to grow the next great ideas,” said Memorial VP, Grenfell Campus Dr Ian Sutherland.

Concordia University has launched a five-year strategic plan to decolonize and Indigenize its curriculum and pedagogy. Drawing upon the principles of the Two Row Wampum Belt–or Tekani Teiotha’tá:tie Kaswéntah’–the plan aims to co-construct a new pathway for learning at Concordia, in which everyone is equal and no worldview is viewed as superior. “It calls for faculty to actively engage in evaluating and decentering Eurocentric canons of thought in their curriculum,” said Concordia Director of Decolonizing Curriculum and Pedagogy Donna Kahérakwas Goodleaf. “It calls upon faculty to embrace opportunities to work in collaboration with Indigenous peoples and communities in ways that value Indigenous epistemologies, histories, and ways of doing in respectful and meaningful ways.”

The University of Windsor unveiled the newly renovated Ron W Ianni Building last week. The building has undergone a five-year, $38M transformation to its interior and exterior, which improves the building’s accessibility, reflects Indigenous themes, and offers flexible learning spaces. “This newly redesigned building represents Windsor Law’s commitment to creating a legal education that represents its student body,” said UWindsor Law Dean Reem Bahdi. “By creating a welcoming and accessible environment, it will promote dynamic learning and student wellness.” UWindsor Law will hold a grand reopening celebration for the building later this fall.

At the University of British Columbia, the Alma Mater Society of UBC has announced that it is postponing the update of two key policies: PC1 — Respectful Community and Workplace and PC2 — Sexualized Violence. Instead, AMS says that it has taken immediate action to restart the review of the two policies. The decision stems from feedback, as several student groups on campus “made it clear that there is still more work to do” before a policy update can be finalized. CTV News reports that some groups took particular issue with a clause indicating that AMS could take action against persons who “intentionally make malicious and false allegations,” as well as an aspect of the policy that allows certain AMS members to adjudicate over claims of sexual misconduct.

Trent University has launched a back-to-school scavenger hunt to help which new and returning students learn more about their local community. , which is delivered through the “Goosechase” app, encourages participants to embark on public transit, take photos at local landmarks, and answer trivia questions about the region. This initiative was developed in partnership with the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area and Peterborough and Kawarthas Tourism. “We know that coming back to school can be a bit daunting and we wanted [the students] to feel at home as quickly as possible,” said Trent Community Relations Manager Alison Scholl. “We thought this would be a great way to win great prizes and find hidden gems on campus and downtown.”

A recent career preference survey of nearly 30,000 Canadian college and university students found that students generally prioritize high future earnings when thinking about their future employer. The survey, conducted by employer branding firm Universum, found that students often focus on compensation-related employee attributes like base salary and potential future earnings, look for roles with remote or hybrid work options, and view flexible work and work-life balance as important qualities. The researchers state that the student priorities are a reflection of the soft economic conditions.

A 2.4-meter-tall bronze feather was stolen from the Donald Forster Sculpture Park located at the University of Guelph. Police were called to campus last week when an Art Gallery of Guelph employee discovered that the was missing. “It is [a] very distinctive thing, so if anybody sees a large black feather sculpture, that’s probably the one that we’re looking for,” commented Guelph Police Service Spokesperson Scott Tracey. Tracey added that it is unclear why someone would have stolen the sculpture, as it would have taken “some effort” to move it. UoGuelph campus security is working with Guelph Police on the investigation.