Simon Fraser University, the University of Alberta, and the University of British Columbia will play an important part in a five-year, $30-million USD international initiative focused on bringing together Indigenous knowledges and Western science. The Center for Braiding Indigenous Knowledges and Sciences (CBIKS), based out of the University of Massachusetts Amherst with research also occurring in eight international “hubs,” will connect Indigenous knowledges and Western sciences to solve the pressing issues of today. UAlberta states that the Mountains and Prairies regional hub will host work from UAlberta, with Kisha Supernant (UAlberta) leading one of the working groups. SFU and UBC are listed as partners on CBIKS’s website.

Top Ten News
September 14, 2023
Supported by a $5M investment from the Government of Alberta, the University of Calgary will soon host a Multidisciplinary Science Hub. The hub will feature classroom and lab space for 2,200 students–enabling the university to expand its STEM training and development –as well as space for research and collaboration initiatives in the sciences. AB states that the hub may also include a dedicated student success centre, start-up incubators, and industry collaboration spaces. “The investment in the Multidisciplinary Science Hub building will allow us to supercharge research and innovation and expand capacity to meet industry needs by training the next generation of STEM leaders,” said UCalgary Faculty of Science Dean Kristin Baetz.
NOSM University has renamed one of its centres the “Dr Gilles Arcand Centre for Health Equity” in recognition of a $10M gift from the Temerty Foundation. $3M of the gift will be used for the Centre, while the remainder of the funds will go toward the university’s Student Endowment Fund to support undergraduate medical students. “The impact NOSM University is making to address the health-care inequities in remote, rural Indigenous and Francophone communities is momentous and much needed,” said Louise Temerty, whose brother Gilles Arcand practiced medicine in Northern Québec. “We are pleased to support them in their quest, and I know my brother Gilles would be very proud.”
In a recent editorial for Inside Higher Ed, Ashley Mowreader spotlights the classroom technique of using “exit tickets” to prompt a feedback cycle between instructors and students. “Exit tickets” are brief written prompts given at the end of class that students must answer (either anonymously or not) and submit prior to exiting the classroom. These prompts can be used to gauge student learning, stimulate self-analysis and reflection, or facilitate open communication between instructors and students. Key to the success of this technique is ensuring that the instructor responds to the comments recorded in these exit tickets, either in an email, course announcement, or in the next class.
The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology has opened an Assistive Technologies Centre where staff and students can trial assistive equipment and technologies to better support their studies. The centre has more than 100 pieces of technology–including different types of computer mice, aids to help with reading and writing, and a 3D printer–and experts on site to guide visitors on how to use the surrounding tools. After testing a device from the centre, students can then make an informed purchase or borrow the item from the NAIT Library. “Many individuals can access and benefit from the technology here,” said NAIT Learning Services Manager Wendy Marusin. “We’re about removing barriers.”
The British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal has ordered the University of British Columbia Okanagan to pay $50K to former student Stephanie Hale for the way it handled her allegation of sexual assault, report and . In a 132-page decision, the tribunal found that UBCO’s investigation method caused Hale harm to the point that she could no longer participate in the process. UBCO responded to the tribunal’s decision in a statement, indicating that it is reviewing the ruling and has already taken “a number of crucial steps” to better address allegations of sexual misconduct.
The University of Alberta and the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (Amii) have launched “Artificial Intelligence Everywhere,” an online introductory course for all UAlberta undergraduates. Canadian Institute for Advanced Research AI Chairs and Amii Fellows Adam White and Alona Fyshe will lead the course, which covers AI from a non-technical, foundational perspective. “AI continues to reshape all aspects of society, so AI literacy is no longer an option but a necessity,” said UAlberta President Bill Flanagan. “The launch of “˜AI Everywhere’ as part of our in-development AI certification builds on our expertise in AI education and reaffirms our commitment to teach the next generation of leaders the skills they need to thrive in an ever-changing world.”
Government of Québec Premier François Legault has openly rebuked Cégep Garneau for hosting an “English Week.” The cégep organized the week to promote English-language learning by encouraging members of its community to speak English to one another and inviting instructors to to incorporate English into their courses. In response, Legault expressed that he did not think the week was a good idea, indicating that “there’s already enough English among young people in general in Québec.” Cégep Garneau issued a press release in response to reiterate its commitment to promoting the French language on a daily basis and in a variety of ways.
Brock University researchers have partnered with the local property management company Tenantcube to develop a novel framework for landlord-tenant matchmaking. Together, the partners helped international students secure housing, recognizing that new immigrants often struggle to find accommodation options without an established credit score. Brock and Tenantcube subsequently developed a new analytics-driven rental service app where tenants and landlords rate the importance of different aspects of the rental relationship, including cleanliness and prompt communication. Tenants are then “˜matched’ with the landlords that best align with their values. This new system is expected to be used by Tenantcube by the end of the year.
The Université du Québec à Montréal has revitalized two of its environmental sciences degree programs. UQAM’s Faculty of Science recently announced that its baccalauréat en sciences naturelles appliquées à l’environnement (BSNAE) and its certificat en sciences de l’environnement have both been redesigned to offer more multidisciplinary courses and flexible pathways for learning. Notably, the certificate program will now offer some courses at the bachelor’s level, thereby making it easier for learners to transition into a bachelor’s degree later. UQAM Professor David Widory said that this redesign highlights the strengths of the two programs, particularly their interdisciplinarity and emphasis on practical training.