Campus Manitoba launches revamped website for online learning

We launched eCourses Manitoba! This dynamic online resource is at the center of our partner institutions’ commitment to provide flexible learning to all students. Read all about the launch in our news article, then check out the new design.

BU and ACC collaborate to launch ‘Welcome Students’ campaign

Brandon’s two post-secondary institutions — Brandon University and Assiniboine Community College — are teaming up to welcome students to the community. “The more than 6,000 students who attend BU and ACC each year bring our community significant economic, cultural and social benefits,” said ACC President Mark Frison. “Brandon is increasingly seen as becoming a destination for post-secondary education, which benefits our entire community.”

“Post-secondary students are enthusiastic and motivated, and they come to Brandon to study but many decide to stay helping to build strong communities and a vibrant province,” said BU President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Gervan Fearon. “Brandon benefits from having two complementary post-secondary institutions that work together to provide students with a full range of learning, research and training opportunities.”

BU and ACC have also launched the campaign in Dauphin, where both institutions offer courses throughout the year. “Post-secondary students are enthusiastic and motivated, and encouraging them to study in Dauphin helps to build a strong community and a vibrant province,” said Fearon.

This week in students and alumni

Red River College is celebrating a career achievement of graduate Amber Balcaen, who became the first Canadian woman to win a NASCAR-sanctioned race.

Students from the University of Winnipeg took part in a summer course at the Shoal Lake 40 community to learn about Indigenous knowledge and experiences. “This seven-day experiential learning field school is premised on the idea that working toward settler-Indigenous reconciliation requires learning about the local-level impacts of colonialism, building face-to face relationships that honour Indigenous knowledge, including connections to the land,” said UWinnipeg Assistant Professor Dr. Jobb Arnold. The field school also included a two-day canoe-certification course and teachings from elders on traditional medicine.

History students from the University of Winnipeg also learned from the land this summer. Working with Indigenous Elders from First Nations communities nearby, the students lived and worked at the ANPO-Bison Ranch near Rossburn, Manitoba to learn about bison culture and traditional technologies. “This field course offered me a wealth of opportunities to experience Indigenous material culture that I would never have been able to experience otherwise,” said one student.

Two future students at the University of Manitoba were awarded two of Canada’s largest STEM scholarships, worth up to $80,000 over four years. The Schulich Leaders Scholarships support exceptional students entering studies in Science, Technology, Engingeering, and Math at universities across Canada.

Manitoba government provides funding for climate change research on the Canadian Prairies

The Manitoba government has renewed its support for the Prairie Climate Centre. The Prairie Climate Centre is a collaborative initiative between the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and the University of Winnipeg that aims to develop a  climate-change research and education facility focused on the Canadian Prairies. The facility is located at the University of Winnipeg. “The Manitoba government is proud of the leadership of the Winnipeg-based International Institute for Sustainable Development,” said Cathy Cox, Manitoba’s Minister of Sustainable Development.  “Research into the health of our planet is essential to the well-being of our children and future generations.  We look forward to the valued work of IISD at the Experimental Lakes Area, as well as the important focus on climate change research being done in collaboration with the University of Winnipeg.”

The renewed funding for the research centre is part of the Province’s support of the Experimental Lakes Area, also operated by the IISD. This unique research facility allows scientists to conduct research on lakes and ecosystems in northwestern Ontario. The University of Winnipeg recently profiled a graduate student doing research there.

Supporting Indigenous achievement and Reconciliation

The University of Manitoba has created two new funds that aim to assist Indigenous students and scholars in their academic pursuits. The Indigenous Initiatives Fund will support projects that support Indigenous achievement. The Indigenous Scholars Fund will help the University recruit Indigenous scholars. “The creation of the Indigenous Initiatives Fund affirms the U of M’s commitment to enhance Indigenous achievement,” said Dr. Frank Deer, Acting Executive Lead, Indigenous Achievement.

The Faculty of Education at the University of Manitoba will host a two-part conference focusing on education for truth and reconciliation in September and February at the University of Manitoba.

Canadian government announces new funding for research at the University of Manitoba

Research at the University of Manitoba will receive a boost through $8 million in funding from the Government of Canada. The funds will support “repairs, upgrades and maintenance of research labs and equipment; keeping the lights on; and supporting research development, regulatory aspects and commercialization of ideas.”

“It’s so important to ensure that our educational and research facilities receive the level of funding they need to maintain a world-class environment. The Government of Canada is proud to support the necessary and exciting work taking place at post-secondary institutions across the country,” said Terry Duguid, MP for Winnipeg South, and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development.

University of Manitoba prof talks Northwest Passage, Arctic tourism, and climate change

UM Today recently spoke with David Barber, Canada Research Chair in Arctic System Science in the Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and Resources at the University of Manitoba. A commercial cruise liner is currently navigating through the Northwest Passage, the first of its size. This historic voyage is possible due to an increase in open water throughout the passage. “A ship this large has never gone through the Northwest Passage,” he said. “Ten years ago, such a thing would not have been possible.”

Contribute to the Manitoba post-secondary news roundup

Campus Manitoba’s post-secondary news roundup is published every two weeks and features stories about universities and colleges in Manitoba. Staying in touch and contacting us is easy. Click the “Chat with us” icon in the bottom-right corner of this page and paste your link so we can check it out. You can also email us anytime at vhd@campusmanitoba.ca. We’re also on Twitter and Facebook, where you can join the conversation throughout the week.

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Campus Manitoba is a consortium of Manitoba’s public post-secondary institutions. Through collaborative projects and shared services, we facilitate student mobility and expand access to post-secondary programs for students in Manitoba. In addition to campusmanitoba.ca, our websites include ecoursesmb.ca, setyourcourse.ca, and openedmb.ca.