October 29, 2008
Queen’s University Climbs Rankings in Research Intensity
Queen's University has jumped from seventh to fourth place in research intensity, and recorded the largest overall increase in funding of the top 16 Canadian institutions measured in the annual ranking of Canada's top 50 research universities.
"Research intensity is a critical measure of research success. Achieving a fourth-place ranking puts Queen's in the highest echelon of research-intensive universities," says Vice-Principal (Research) Kerry Rowe. "I am delighted to see the high-quality efforts of our research community recognized by this significant jump in ranking."
Queen's standing in research intensity is achieved as a measure of sponsored research per full-time faculty, at $262,100 for 2007. On total research income, Queen's again placed 11th in Canada. That represents an increase of 22.7 per cent over last year's total (from $173.7 million in 2006 to $213 million in 2007).
The University of Toronto was ranked first in the medical/doctoral category for both research intensity and total funding.
Entitled Canada's Innovation Leaders, the publication is prepared by Research Infosource Inc. It will be included as a supplement in the National Post on November 7 and the Ottawa Citizen November 8.
Overall, the report notes, research income at Canada's top research universities posted a "lackluster" 3.5 per cent growth in their total sponsored research income in fiscal 2007. This is the second lowest gain in nine years.
Total research income for all universities measured reached $5.7 billion, up from $5.5 billion in fiscal 2006. Thirty institutions increased their income in 2007 and 20 reported declines.
Source: Queen's University, Ontario
October 27, 2008
Concordia University Take Top Prize at the Prestigious 2008 Eller Ethics Case Competition
Two John Molson School of Business (JMSB) students won the 2008 Eller Ethics Case Competition, which took place at Eller College of Management, University of Arizona, from October 23 – 25 in Tucson, Arizona.
Sandy Poiré and Meaghen Annett competed against teams from 21 other business schools from around the world. They were the only Canadian team, and defeated some of the most recognized business schools in the United States including the University of Illinois (2nd place), University of Texas at Austin (3rd place) and Case Western Reserve University (4th place).
“Teaching our students the importance of corporate social responsibility and ethics in business practices is an absolute priority at the JMSB,” said Sanjay Sharma, JMSB Dean. “This prize shows that our students understand how to apply these theories to the real world, and we couldn’t be more proud of them.”
The Eller Ethics Case Competition is designed to challenge students’ ethical reasoning and promote awareness of corporate social responsibility. The competition exposes students to a business ethics case they could face in their professional careers. Student teams then analyze the case, present their business model, and respond to questions posed by a panel of judges.
Source: Concordia University, Quebec
October 22, 2008
Athabasca University President Honoured by Chinese University
Dr. Frits Pannekoek has been appointed Honourary Professor of Tianjin Radio and TV University in Tianjin, China. Dr. Pannekoek, who is also the president of the International Council of Distance Education (ICDE) was in Tianjin for a meeting of the Asian Association of Open Universities.
Subsequently, Dr. Pannekoek was in Shanghai chairing the Presidents' Forum of open and distance education institutions, a group that represents more than 20 million students world-wide. He was also a key note speaker at the subsequent Global Forum on post secondary learning and challenged participants to be more innovative in removing all barriers to post secondary learning.
"This came as a pleasant shock to me," said Dr. Pannekoek of his appointment as Honourary Professor. "Sir John Daniel, CEO of the Commonwealth of Learning and Professor Peter Jarvis, a leading British academic in the field of e-learning were also appointed. I'm very pleased to be in the company of these extraordinary global leaders."
Tianjin Radio and Television University is one of the larger provincial radio and TV universities in China. The Chinese Central Television and Radio Universities or CCTVRU, is the largest university system in the world, with more than two million students.
"I think that our future in China is tremendous," said Dr. Pannekoek, "There is a real and genuine interest in collaboration and cooperation. It is now time for us to enter the door that the Chinese educational establishment has opened up for us."
Source: Athabasca University, Alberta
October 22, 2008
University of Calgary Launches Sustainability Action Plan
The University of Calgary is ramping up its commitment as a leader in sustainability with the launch of its new Sustainability ON campaign. The campaign challenges everyone on campus to do their part and will lead to reduced energy and water consumption, less waste and increased awareness.
“We’re stepping up to our responsibilities, says Harvey Weingarten, president, University of Calgary. “We have an obligation to demonstrate leadership in helping to solve society’s problems and sustainability is one of community, national and global importance.”
As evidence of its commitment, the U of C has also signed the University and College Presidents’ Climate Change Statement Action of Canada and is the first university to commit outside of the declaration creators.
Signatories to the Canadian version commit to pursue responsible solutions to address the climate change challenge. A parallel document in the United States has been signed by more than 580 presidents with five to 10 more being added each month.
“Universities have significant potential and opportunities to create improvements in sustainability,” says Weingarten. “I have extended a personal invitation to fellow Albertan university and college presidents to join us in signing this declaration so that we can work collaboratively to address this complex challenge.”
At the large scale, the university will convert its physical plant to co-generation. This significant undertaking is projected to reduce campus carbon emissions for buildings by more than 40 percent below 1990 levels when it comes online in 2011. The cost savings will pay for the retrofit in five years.
“The big initiatives are important, but part of solving the problem really comes down to what we’re doing on a daily basis,” says Joanne Perdue, director, Office of Sustainability. “With all the initiatives we’re rolling out, everyone has an opportunity to drive sustainability forward on campus.”
Source: University of Calgary, Alberta
October 20, 2008
The University of British Columbia: Dolby Invests $1.15M in UBC’s “Real-world” Display Technology Research
The University of British Columbia announced today that it has received a pledge from Dolby Laboratories, Inc. to provide $1.15 million in funding to support research in High-Dynamic Range (HDR) imaging technologies.
HDR display technology replaces the single backlight in a typical LCD screen with hundreds of small light-emitting diodes providing outstanding contrast and crisp brightness to deliver picture quality that matches real-world visual perception of depth, detail, and color.
The core technology in HDR was invented by a team of researchers led by UBC physicist Lorne Whitehead and spun off Brightside Technologies, which was acquired by Dolby last year.
“We are grateful for Dolby’s recognition and support of UBC’s leadership in this eye-opening technology,” says John Hepburn, UBC’s Vice President, Research. “The partnership will accelerate the development of HDR for industry and consumers.”
“Dolby aims to provide customers with technologies that improve the overall entertainment experience -- whether it’s with the highest quality audio or image technology solutions,” said Steve Forshay, Senior Vice President, Research, Dolby Laboratories. “We’re eager to see the innovation that results from our support of education and collaboration with the University of British Columbia.”
The funding will establish the Dolby Computer Science Research Chair and the Dolby Professorship in Digital Multimedia Endowment in the faculties of Science and Applied Science, respectively. The Chair will support work underway by Computer Science Assoc. Prof. Wolfgang Heidrich, whose research has already resulted in the image processing algorithms that are a key part of Dolby’s HDR display technology.
“HDR gets us much closer to the range of contrast we see in the real world,” says Heidrich. “The brights get brighter, the darks darker. The results are simply striking.”
Heidrich’s research also includes development of new HDR applications -- displays, content authoring tools, and software for converting legacy video to HDR -- as well as fundamental research into how humans perceive extreme contrast and colour.
Dolby will also support UBC Electrical and Computer Engineering Assoc. Prof. Panos Nasiopoulos’s research into devices capable of capturing, compressing and delivering HDR images.
“The multimedia and entertainment sectors depend heavily on highly qualified personnel, such as the students who will work on state-of-the-art HDR technologies in our labs,” says Nasiopoulos. “Our close collaboration with Dolby will give us a distinct competitive advantage over other universities, and will provide the industry with a pool of scientific talent.”
Source: The University of British Columbia
October 20, 2008
Queen’s University Basic and Applied Researchers Funded
Queen’s University researchers involved in six projects related to basic and applied research have received $1.46 million in new provincial grants.
Queen’s ranked second in total funding after the University of Toronto ($1.61 million), followed by Western ($914,000) and University of Ottawa ($908,000). As part of Ontario’s Innovation Agenda, the Ontario Research Fund grants will support 46 projects involving nearly 342 scientists and researchers at 13 institutions across the province.
“Research is the foundation of innovation – and in the 21st century, innovation is the key to stronger global competitiveness, good jobs and better lives for Ontario families,” said Minister of Research and Innovation John Wilkinson in announcing the new funding.
“The province understands the need for sustained investment in research over the long term, despite the current economic turmoil in world markets,” says Council of Ontario Universities (COU) President Paul Genest. "Research can and will deliver economic benefits for Ontario's future and these investments are a prudent fiscal choice.”
This funding is part of a larger, $37-million provincial initiative to support promising university research in four areas: conquering disease, advancing the digital universe, developing alternative energy technologies and encouraging fundamental and applied research. The funding from the Ontario Research Fund covers 200 projects across the province involving 1,800 researchers.
Source: Queen's University, Ontario
October 8, 2008
New University of Regina Class Brings Business Leaders to Campus
Students at the University of Regina's Paul J. Hill School of Business will learn valuable lessons from prominent business leaders this semester.
This is part of a new course that focuses on teaching students how to become business leaders through practical experience and the new Business Leaders in the Community Lecture Series - a lecture series that will bring Regina's business leaders to the University of Regina campus as speakers and mentors.
"The intent of this series is to bring to campus business and community leaders who are making an impact and can serve as role-models for our students," says Anne Lavack, Dean of Business Administration at the U of R.
One such role-model is Fred Titanich, president and CEO of CAA Saskatchewan, who will kick off the speaker series on Friday, October 10 at 10:00 a.m. in room ED 623 (Education Building, 6th floor).
To serve its approximately 175,000 Members, CAA Saskatchewan has 12 offices conveniently located in nine regions of the province. With revenues exceeding 60 million dollars annually, the main body of the organization is the motor club which is operated as a non-profit entity while the full-service CAA Travel Agency Saskatchewan, CAA Insurance Company Ltd., CAA Saskatchewan General Insurance Agency, Car Care Plus and Car Care Plus Sales and Service are wholly-owned, tax-paying subsidiaries.
The new lectures series and course is designed to make students aware of the different roles leaders play in a business and community and to provide the skills required to be effective in playing each of these leadership roles. In class, leadership knowledge and theory will be taught through lectures however, students will also have the opportunity to apply what they've learned through the formation of student committees.
Upcoming lectures include Janet Wightman, president and CEO of Victoria Park Capital on October 31 and Paul Martin, president of Paul Martin Communications on November 14. The lectures are open to all U of R students, staff, faculty and the general public.
Source: University of Regina, Saskatchewan
October 2, 2008
Thompson Rivers University: Dr. Kathleen Scherf Installed as TRU’s Second President
Dr. Kathleen Scherf was formally installed as the second President and Vice-Chancellor of Thompson Rivers University on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008.
“I am honoured to lead this institution, and I will not let you down,” Scherf told the hundreds of well-wishers, convocating students and dignitaries gathered in the TRU gymnasium.
Part of the installation ceremony included Chancellor Nancy Greene Raine bestowing Scherf with the newly commissioned TRU Presidential Chain of Office which will represent the president's authority as head of the university. The chain features a medal of the university seal suspended from a chain that will be engraved to chronicle TRU’s appointed Presidents.
In her address Scherf praised Past President Dr. Roger Barnsley saying, “Thank you to you and your team for building such an incredible university for me to lead and to carry on your superb work.”
The pomp and circumstance of the Presidential Installation added an air of special importance to the TRU graduates who are part of the Fall Convocation ceremony immediately following the installation.
Scherf, transitioning from the Installation ceremony said, “I stand before this august assembly, this Fall Convocation ceremony, as both your President, and as a parent. And I am going to give our graduates some advice that frankly could stem from either of those roles.”
The first two hallmarks of a TRU graduate, Scherf said, is that they are active and dedicated members of a civil society, enter enjoyable and well-remunerated careers and look after themselves. “Be happy and fulfilled, that attitude colours every single other thing you do. And that, my friends, is my third wish for the hallmark of a TRU grad.”
Dozens of universities from across the country sent congratulations to Dr. Scherf including Alan Harrison, Provost of the University of Calgary who remarked that Dr. Scherf had served at his university extremely well for nine years as the dean of culture and communications and that TRU should be congratulated for choosing such a excellent candidate as its President.
Source: Thompson Rivers University, British Columbia
