December 2, 2008
Athabasca University: Two Athabasca University Publications Selected for Inclusion in European Science Foundation List
Athabasca University is pleased with the selection of its Journal of Distance Education and The International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning for inclusion in the European Reference Index for the Humanities (ERIH) initial list.
ERIH is a fully peer-reviewed reference index of the top journals in 15 areas of the Humanities. The two AU publications have been listed in the “Pedagogical and Educational Research” category. Of the five distance journals selected in this category, only the two AU publications are open-access.
"Scholars, researchers and readers are presented with an ever-expanding array of publishing possibilities," said Dr. Terry Anderson, Canada Research Chair in Distance Education. "Many of the traditional citation indices services which track 'influence' of various publications are owned and managed by commercial publishers. I often think they do not index, or adequately review the Open Access journals – their major competitors. Thus, independent peer assessments of journals such as ERIH are important tools for both researchers, those who evaluate research performance and for readers."
Both JDE and IRRODL have become the world's premier academic journals in the field of open and distance education.
Source: Athabasca University, Alberta
December 1, 2008
Concordia University: Student Chosen as Rhodes Scholar for 2009
Concordia University is pleased to announce that one of its students, Liliane Chamas, has been chosen as a 2009 Rhodes Scholar by the Rhodes Scholarship Selection Committee for Quebec. Rhodes Scholarships provide all expenses for two or three years of study at the prestigious University of Oxford in England, valued at approximately $50 000 per year. Rhodes Scholarships are the oldest and best known awards for international study, and one of the most prestigious academic awards available to university students.
Presently completing an honors degree in cellular and molecular biology with a minor in multidisciplinary studies in science, Chamas immigrated to Montreal four years ago. She was born in Belarus and later moved to Lebanon. Fluent in five languages, Chamas started at Concordia in biology and was soon offered the opportunity to join the Science College, where she has participated in research projects studying everything from vision to reproduction and neuroscience. She is currently completing her thesis at the Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal (IRCM) working in a molecular reproduction lab, researching obesity and diabetes. She paid for her studies by working as a server part-time at a local restaurant and being a teaching assistant for the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department. Chamas also volunteers at a local hospital.
“Liliane exemplifies the spirit of Concordia, and we are extremely proud of her success,” said Concordia President, Dr. Judith Woodsworth. “Since arriving at our university, she has combined a deep passion for learning with a concern for the betterment of society. She is an inspiration to all Concordians.”
Chamas is one of two Quebec students to be awarded the Scholarship, along with Vincent Larochelle, who is completing an honors degree in Mathematics (with a minor in Classics) at McGill University. They will join an international group of approximately 80 Scholars chosen from thirteen jurisdictions around the world including Australia, Bermuda, the Commonwealth Caribbean, Germany, India, Pakistan, the United States and more. Rhodes Scholarships were created in 1902 by Cecil Rhodes, British philanthropist and African colonial pioneer.
Source: Concordia University, Quebec
December 1, 2008
Queen's University: Innovation Park First to Connect to ORION Networks
Innovation Park at Queen’s University is the first research park to connect to the Ontario Research and Innovation Optical Network (ORION). Researchers, academics and industry partners at the Park can now access the super speed of Ontario’s fibre optic network for research and education, tapping into a pool of over 1 million researchers, scientists, faculty and students across the province, and connecting to the grid of advanced research networks around the world.
Officially opened last June, Innovation Park at Queen’s University is becoming a hub for scientific collaboration and business development efforts in the Kingston and Eastern Ontario region. Through co-location of academic and industry researchers, service providers and commercialization experts, the Park is helping Ontario researchers and entrepreneurs to create, develop and market their innovations. Made possible by a $21 million grant from the Ontario government and through collaboration with Novelis Inc., Innovation Park seeks to foster an environment of discovery that accelerates and supports the growth of new businesses.
“Innovation Park is excited by the possibilities that the connection to ORION presents” says Rick Boswell, Assistant Director. “The opportunity to attract companies that want to expand their collaborations with Queen’s and other institutions in Ontario and beyond is greatly enhanced. This infrastructure will be an important component of the value-added service that we will be able to offer to key industrial partners.”
Focusing on advanced materials, alternative energy and environmental technologies, the Park accommodates small and medium-size companies with a research focus, and faculty-led research projects that have industrial partners.
“We are pleased that Innovation Park at Queen’s University is connecting to the network,” says ORION President/CEO, Phil Baker. “This is an excellent example of how the unique capabilities of the ORION network can be used to enhance and support more collaboration between industry and university researchers, and help advance Ontario’s Innovation Agenda.”
Source: Queen's University, Ontario
