University of Manitoba launches Digital Active Learning Space on campus →

UM Libraries will be launching the world’s first active learning space featuring Sony Vision Exchange at the Albert D. Cohen Management Library. Sony Vision Exchange transforms the student learning space to allow peer-to-peer learning on BYOD (Bring Your Own Device). It also gives opportunities for the instructor/librarian to offer real-time feedback to students on class-based assignments or exercises.

Unlike a traditional lecture-style classroom, the digital platform affords dynamic group discussion and instructor feedback in a flexible seating environment. Afra Bolefski, acting head of the Albert D. Cohen Management Library, notes that the active learning setting is the perfect spot to adopt pedagogical methods such as the flipped classroom or problem-based learning and could provide opportunities to enhance experiential learning.

Skilled trades training extended to communities in Lake Manitoba and Sagkeeng First Nations →

Red River College has launched two programs that move education outside of the traditional post-secondary setting and into remote Manitoba communities – helping Indigenous learners gain the tools they need to enter careers in carpentry, plumbing and other skilled trades. “These community-based training programs are an important example of how the College is helping create more pathways to post-secondary education for Indigenous learners in Manitoba,” says Rebecca Chartrand, RRC’s Executive Director of Indigenous Strategy.

Instructors showcase emerging classroom technology with ‘early adopters’ in Manitoba →

On October 20, educators from across Manitoba came to Red River College to learn how they can incorporate new and emerging technologies — including drones, video games and virtual reality — in their classrooms. The goal of the workshop is to prepare educators for the expectations and learning styles of their students and to show them how they can prepare learners for what is in front of them. The sessions also encourage educators to learn about safety requirements and restrictions for emerging technologies.

New on-site access to advisors for international students at Bannatyne campus →

International students studying at the U of M’s Bannatyne campus will now have access to international student advisors. The International Centre Services, previously only available at the Fort Garry campus, are now more conveniently available to Bannatyne campus students. This service is offered with the goal of helping international students successfully transition to university life in a new country, says International Student Advisor Rebecca Irving.

School of Social Work Celebrates 10 Years (French) →

The School of Social Work at l’Université de St. Boniface celebrated its 10th birthday on October 5. Florette Giasson, Director of the School of Social work, has seen the school develop and grow since she took on the position in 2009. She says that there has been a need expressed by people in the community for bilingual social workers and the goal of the school is to meet those needs.

Pathway program lays foundation for solid future in construction →

Red River College’s Pathway Program to Construction Skills was developed by staff at RRC’s Language Training Centre and was first offered in March 2017 through the support of the Refugee Employment Development Initiative.

The students are refugee newcomers to Manitoba who enrolled in the program to enhance their English skills and gain practical experience, with a goal of securing full-time employment in the construction sector once they’ve completed their training. In addition to the valuable language and skills training, the program also provides each student with a month-long, paid, on-the-job training, which in turn supports their long-term employment goals.

 

UCN Hosts First-Ever Industry Engagement Evening →

The University College of the North hosted an Industry Engagement Night on its campus in The Pas on November 9 with more than 160 people in attendance. Event delegates included UCN staff and students across program/department areas as well as employer representatives across industry sectors. “Overall, I believe this event was a huge success and most definitely it will be something we continue to host to support and enhance student stakeholder engagement in work-integrated learning and career development,” commented Krystle Robinson, UCN’s Cooperative Education Coordinator.

Brandon University continues strong enrolment growth →

Brandon University’s enrolment for its 50th anniversary 2017-2018 year increased eight percent from last year. The number of classes taken by students also climbed seven percent over last year’s numbers. Growth in international students climbed 31% and students who self-identify as Indigenous climbed more than 20%.

New financial awards launched to support student success at RRC →

Red River College launched a number of new bursaries and awards aimed at supporting Indigenous learners, those committed to social justice, and those pursuing studies that support the environment. In addition to support from donors and industry partners, student awards are also made possible through investments from the province, including matched funding amounts provided to participating post-secondary institutions.

Indigenous research receives $2.5 Million at UWinnipeg →

Renowned storyteller William Dumas returns to recreate the remaining stories of his award-winning picture book, Pīsim Finds Her Miskanow, published in 2013, along with a number of research teams. This project extends the reclamation of Asiniskow Ithiiniwak (Rocky Cree) language, history, and culture. It has been awarded a Partnership Grant in the amount of $2.5 million by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC). Entitled Six Seasons of the Asiniskow Ithiniwak: Reclamation, Regeneration, and Reconciliation, the seven-year project will be housed at the University of Winnipeg and directed by Dr. Mavis Reimer.

Rocky Cree knowledge keepers and partnering communities will work alongside researchers in archaeology, Cree language, education, program evaluation, history, story creation, digital media, and policy development to guide the research journey and to ensure that the knowledge produced through the project supports the regeneration of Asiniskow Ithiniwak identity, particularly among young people. Findings will be transformed into a series of historical-fiction picture books reflecting peoples’ movements and activities over the six seasons of the Asiniskow Ithiniwak and remediated as digital apps, a platform designed to allow readers to interact with the stories.

Extended Fall Break Coming to U of M → [link expired]

The University of Manitoba Senate approved changes to the academic schedule that includes a four-day fall break and shortened fall and winter terms. Currently, there is a two-day fall break preceding the Thanksgiving weekend. Starting in the 2018/2019 academic year, Thanksgiving weekend will revert to being a three-day long weekend and the four-day fall break will run during the week Remembrance Day is observed.

The revised academic schedule also includes changes to the start of the winter term. The new academic schedule will see classes begin the Monday following the reopening of the university, which means students will have three days added to the winter holiday break.

 

Subscribe to the Campus Manitoba newsletter →

This year, we launched a monthly newsletter to help keep our community informed of what’s happening at Campus Manitoba. The newsletter is open for signups! Along with this website, our newsletter is the best way to stay up to date with Campus Manitoba. It also includes links to this roundup, just in case you forget. Subscribe now!

---

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.