Summer is moving right along at Campus Manitoba! Here are some highlights from around the province’s post-secondary education community.

Dr. Steve Robinson named Interim President of Brandon University →

The Brandon University Board of Governors has chosen Dr. Steven Robinson to serve as Interim President after the forthcoming departure by current President Dr. Gervan Fearon. Robinson’s role will transition over the summer and begin on August 1, 2017. “This is an exciting time for Brandon University and I look forward to a productive term leading our continued growth,” Dr. Robinson said. “Thank-you to the Board of Governors for their direction and support.” Dr. Meir Serfaty has been appointed to Acting Vice-President (Academic & Provost), Robinson’s former position.

Manitoba universities and colleges sign City of Winnipeg Indigenous Accord →

President and Vice-Chancellor David Barnard signed the City of Winnipeg Indigenous Accord on behalf of the University of Manitoba. “The University of Manitoba is honoured to be a partner to Winnipeg’s Indigenous Accord, and join with the Mayor and others in sharing our commitment to reconciliation,” said President Barnard. “As a partner, we are continuing to advance our Indigenous achievement goals, be responsive to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s calls to action, and move forward together with Indigenous communities in a spirit of reconciliation and collaboration.”

Dr. Annette Trimbee, UWinnipeg President and Vice-Chancellor, signed on behalf of The University of Winnipeg. The Université de Saint Boniface was also present to co-sign the Accord.

From the City of Winnipeg: “As a living document, the Accord is not a single-time event, but an ongoing responsibility accepted by signatories, who through becoming partners to the Accord agree to report the success of their commitment to reconciliation and their future goals on an annual basis.”

Study shows that annual economic impact of Brandon University exceeds $417 million →

According to a new BU study, Brandon University has a significant impact on the city and is responsible for over $417 million in economic activity in Westman every year. “It is impossible to calculate the full impact that BU has on our city’s social and cultural scene,” says Dr. Steve Robinson, BU’s incoming Interim President. “Brandon University attracts both youth and educated professionals to Brandon, who contribute to our region in many important non-economic ways, from volunteering to voting. This is the best estimate we can give for the economic side of the equation — the hard dollars that BU brings to Brandon every year.” The report is available at BrandonU.ca/Economic-Impact.

This year, Brandon University has also experience continued growth in student enrollment. Applications have increased by 11 percent, admissions offers by 20 percent, and registrations 8 percent. “The numbers are excellent, with healthy increases in applications, admissions and new-student registrations at Brandon University,” said University Registrar Andrea McDaniel. “It is still fairly early in our registration cycle, but the trend is clear and it is looking like another year of very strong growth of the student population at BU.”

Grand opening of Leatherdale Hall at The University of Winnipeg →

This summer, The University of Winnipeg held the grand opening of one of its newest buildings. Leatherdale Hall is a new meeting space on campus for students and the community, thanks to a $2.5 million gift from the late Dr. Douglas Leatherdale and his wife Louise. “The Leatherdale family passion for education and building capacity in our community is an inspiration to all of us,” said Dr. Annette Trimbee, UWinnipeg President and Vice-Chancellor. “Leatherdale Hall is a bright and welcoming space that encourages conversations and connections, both for our students and the broader community.”

New program at University of Manitoba supports incoming Indigenous students →

A new program called the Qualico Bridge to Success has been developed by the Indigenous Student Centre to support approximately 500 new First Nations, Inuit, and Métis students who transition to post-secondary education at the U of M. “The University of Manitoba is committed to creating a strong foundation for Indigenous students and this program will allow us to promote Indigenous student success in meaningful and intentional ways,” says Christine Cyr, director of the Indigenous Student Centre.

Rebecca Chartrand named Executive Director of Indigenous Strategy at RRC →

Chartrand, an experienced educator, will direct the expansion of student support, new academic programming, and strengthening of partnerships between RRC and Indigenous communities. “We are thrilled to add Rebecca to our senior leadership team,” said RRC President Paul Vogt. “The College is moving forward with a plan to add transition and mentoring services to support the success of Indigenous students across the College, and new programs designed to provide the skills needed in Indigenous communities. Rebecca will lead the process in consultation with our elders and our dedicated and experienced faculty and staff.”

Development of detailed plan for downtown expansion begins at Brandon University →

Brandon University has partnered with an experienced external expert team to begin consultation and planning to move forward with its downtown initiative, which will see seven separate properties transformed into a mixed-use downtown development. “We are committed to working collaboratively with all students, faculty and staff at Brandon University, as well as everyone in the city and region, to help develop plans for achieving a downtown revitalization initiative that represents the best of university-community engagement and innovative partnership in action,” Interim President Robinson said.

Doug Lauvstad appointed UCN President & Vice Chancellor →

UCN’s Governing Council announced that University College of the North is now under the leadership of Mr. Doug Lauvstad. Lauvstad comes to UCN from a position as Executive Director of the Northern Manitoba Sector Council, an Association of Manitoba’s Northern industries.

University of Manitoba prof recognized for distance and online Leadership Award by the Canadian Network for Innovation in Education →

Lori Wallace, a professor at the Centre of the Advancement of Teaching and Learning, has received the 2017 Leadership Award for her work in online/distance education and educational technology. Her nomination was supported by colleagues across Canada, who noted her “longstanding and collegial leadership in distance/online learning.”

USB announces construction of specialized centre for shipping and receiving chemicals and pathogens →

A joint investment of more than $ 1.4 million to build a specialized centre for shipping and receiving chemicals and pathogens at the Université de St. Boniface was announced in June by Ian Wishart (Minister of Manitoba Education and Training), Dan Vandal (Member of Parliament), and René Bouchard (Vice-President of Administration and Resources at Université de St. Boniface).

Expansion project begins for The UWSA Day Care →

The University of Winnipeg Students’ Association has broken ground for an expansion of its daycare facility to improve access to campus childcare for students, faculty, staff, and community. The 2,370 square-foot expansion is expected to be complete by November 2017. “As the students’ association, we are proud to own and operate a daycare which is an essential service for student parents,” said Laura Elsie Garinger, President, UWSA. “Students continue to make accessible childcare on campus a priority and we are committed to removing barriers to post-secondary education for all students.”

Peterbilt Training Institute opens at Red River College →

At the Notre Dame Campus, Red River College and partner Peterbilt Motors Company welcomed students to the new Peterbilt Technician Institute on June 20th. The training program, supported by Peterbilt, is offered to graduates of RRC’s Heavy Duty Equipment Mechanic program. “[The] College’s strengths in delivering this program come from our faculty’s connection to industry and the expertise they bring along with it,” says Tom Grant, Chair of Transportation and Heavy Apprenticeship Trades at RRC. “Having this program delivered here will help Peterbilt develop their next generation of technicians, and we’re excited to play an important role in supporting them.”

New construction program a first for Waywayseecappo First Nation →

Assiniboine Community College and Waywayseecappo have partnered to launch an intensive Applied Building Construction program that started in July. The program will train 15 students for the local workforce. “Exciting partnerships like the Applied Building Construction program empower Indigenous people to take control of their own futures,” said The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs. “Thanks to the innovative thinking of the Waywayseecappo First Nation and Assiniboine Community College, these 15 students will get the skills they need to reinvest in their communities and make them stronger. Canada is proud to support this effort through its Post-Secondary Partnership Program.”

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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.