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Laurentian-Tied Research Network Wins Massive Environmental Research Grant

Faculty of Arts and Geography Department Professor to play major role in research

Sept. 12, 2019 – After over two years of hard work, a team of climate researchers at Laurentian University are thrilled to announce that their network has been awarded a multi-million dollar grant from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). Over the next five years, NSERC will provide more than $5 million to fund PermafrostNet, a partnership of 12 universities and more than 40 different organizations.

The thawing of permafrost is a serious issue with wide-ranging impacts. Though it is most keenly felt in remote northern and Indigenous communities, it affects over a third of the Canadian landmass. The resulting disruption to the landscape, as well as human lives and communities, is potentially catastrophic.

This new funding will help individuals, northern communities, governmental organizations, and industry predict and adapt to the coming changes. Laurentian University Associate Professor in the Faculty of Arts and Department of Geography, Pascale Roy-Leveillée will play a key role in this. In addition to her leadership role in the network, she will be involved in 13 projects across the Hudson Bay Lowlands and the Yukon.

PermafrostNet aims to bring Canada to the forefront in the battle against permafrost loss. It will also foster greater partnerships with First Nations, Métis and Inuit groups thanks to funds dedicated to engagement with Indigenous communities. Laurentian students will directly benefit from invaluable experience through field work in several areas, including in Ontario, Manitoba, the Yukon and the Northwest Territories. This project contributes directly to Laurentian’s longstanding commitment to better the lives of people in the north.

QUOTES:

"We're very proud to see Dr. Roy-Leveillée's hard work pay off, through this exciting NSERC funding opportunity. Laurentian University works tirelessly to better the lives of people in both northern and Indigenous communities. This grant will go a long way in helping us achieve that goal." Robert Haché, President and Vice Chancellor of Laurentian University

''I look forward to continue working with people who live and work in permafrost landscapes and are impacted by its degradation. Through this network, science and engineering expertise will combine with local knowledge to support these Canadian communities as they face the hazards resulting from continued permafrost thaw in the North.” Pascale Roy-Leveillée, Associate Professor in the Geography Department of Laurentian University

Laurentian University mourns the passing of Lily Fielding

Philanthropist was a pillar of the community

Today we are saddened by the passing of Lily Fielding, a true friend of Laurentian and advocate for our students. She was 103 years old. Always proud of her family, as well as its connection to Laurentian, she was instrumental in making the institution what it is today.

Mrs. Fielding worked alongside her beloved husband, the late Cliff Fielding, a member of the Laurentian University Board of Governors from 1964 to 1977. The couple spent 68 years together. After he passed, his legacy lives on with the Cliff Fielding Research, Innovation and Engineering Building bearing his name.

Mrs. Fielding was a long-standing supporter of the growth of Laurentian. Her contributions include financial support for the Brenda Wallace Reading Room, the Perdue Central Analytical Facility, and many other initiatives geared towards student success. Earlier this year, Mrs. Fielding gifted the university with a magnificent painting, ‘La Cloche,’ a work by Group of Seven artist Franklin Carmichael. Additionally, there are five bursaries tied to the family.

When shown plans for the Cliff Fielding Building in 2017, Mrs. Fielding was deeply touched, remarking that Mr. Fielding would be very proud of everything Laurentian University has accomplished. Now we bid her a bittersweet farewell, thankful for all she has done over the years, and proud to maintain her legacy.

Flags on campus will be lowered at half-mast in her honour on Monday, September 16, 2019.

QUOTE
“An exceptional community leader, Mrs. Fielding has left an indelible mark on Laurentian University. Her contributions will never be forgotten.” Robert Haché, President and Vice-Chancellor of Laurentian University

Laurentian University gets high marks for mining, mineral engineering in global education rankings from overseas education firm

ShanghaiRankings rates Laurentian programs 50th in the world, sixth in Canada

A Chinese educational consultancy has ranked Laurentian University’s mining and mineral engineering programs among the best in the world. According to ShanghaiRankings’ most recent edition of its publication, Academic Ranking of Global Universities, our school comes fiftieth in the world and sixth in Canada.

The ranking is based on a few key factors, including the number of times that research generated by a given institution is cited in an academic paper. Much of this is achieved through teamwork with institutions in other countries. Laurentian researchers are proud to continue a tradition of cooperation beyond borders, an important practice which continues to receive international attention.

On behalf of the university, we wish to congratulate all involved for their continued efforts in leading the way for mining research in Canada, particularly our colleagues in the Goodman School of Mines, the Bharti School of Engineering, and the Harquail School of Earth Sciences.

QUOTES
“Due to its location in Sudbury with so many active mines and the major mining companies, Laurentian University has been, since its inception, quite strong in teaching and research in mining engineering. We are very pleased with such a recognition, and we attribute it to the dedication and high caliber of the professors in the Bharti School of Engineering.” Osman Abou-Rabia, Interim Executive Director of the Goodman School of Mines

Laurentian University Researchers Receive Global Recognition for Mining Workforce Study

Analysis of mining careers nets WACE Award

Researchers from Laurentian University have received international recognition for their analysis of careers in the mining industry. This month, the team won “Best Refereed Paper” during the WACE World Conference in the US.

The award recognizes a team effort that spanned departments and even continents. The recipients include Nicole Tardif, Program Coordinator at the Goodman School of Mines; Dr. Patricia Orozco Quijano, Master Lecturer in the Faculty of Management; and Dr. Sue Bandaranaike of James Cook University in Townsville, Australia.

Their paper, called “Preparing for the Future Global Workforce in the Mining Industry: A Career Pathways Mapping Project”, will help researchers develop effective ways to plan the career paths of mining professionals in geology, engineering, and environmental science.

Laurentian University students will also directly benefit from the research, as they will have the opportunity to participate in courses, workshops and Work Integrated Learning (WIL) organised at the school which address the skill shortages to meet the needs of the mining industry.

QUOTES

“This recognition clearly exemplifies the successes that can be accomplished when collaborations happen between industry and academia to address today’s global issues.” -- Dr. Patricia Orozco, Teaching Fellow Experiential Learning at Laurentian University

ABOUT THE WACE CONFERENCE

The WACE (World Council and Assembly on Cooperative Education) World Conference is a gathering of the world’s leading higher education, industry, and government professionals who come together bi-annually to present their research findings, learn from each other’s successes, and collaborate.

For more information about this research and the Career Path Mapping program, and/or Work Integrated Learning contact:

Dr. Patricia Orozco
Teaching Fellow Experiential Learning
Laurentian University
porozco@laurentian.ca
7059751151 ext 2132

Nicole Tardif
Program Coordinator, Goodman School of Mines
Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON
ntardif@laurentian.ca
705-675-1151 x7234

New Trilingual Signs at Laurentian Reflect the First Language of this Territory

English, French and Anishinaabemowin seen across campus

Aug. 26, 2019 -- Aanii. Anishinaabemowin speakers have given Laurentian University a new look over the summer, translating the new trilingual signs throughout campus. Starting this semester, all members of our community will be greeted by signs in English, French, and Anishinaabemowin, the language of the land upon which Laurentian is situated.

We wish to thank Dr. Mary Anne Corbiere for her hard work on this project, as well as for her efforts in keeping Anishinaabemowin strong over the past 25 years. As a faculty member in the Indigenous Studies program at the University of Sudbury, she continues to be a linchpin for revitalizing the language. We also wish to thank Dominic and Brenda Beaudry of Akinomaagewin Consulting, as well as Isadore Toulouse. Carole Perreault provided crucial logistics on the project. The speakers of Anishinaabemowin play key roles in ensuring that Anishinaabemowin thrives and remains vital. We owe them a debt of gratitude that can never be adequately repaid.

Everyone in the Laurentian University community works to honour the Robinson-Huron Treaty, the 169-year-old agreement which lays out the relationship between the Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples of this land. Our institution is on Anishinaabe territory, particularly of the Atikameksheng Anishnawbek. We also acknowledge Wahnapitae First Nation, on whose territory Sudbury partially sits. Our institution is proud to honour the treaty in word and action.

The change in signage is part of our Imagine 2023 Strategic Plan, which aims to make our university the school of choice for northern, francophone, and Indigenous students from across the world.

QUOTES
“With Laurentian University sitting on Atikameksheng Anishnawbek Territory, I am ecstatic to know that the history and language of the Anishinawbek people is being recognized throughout the university through trilingual signs.” — Valerie Richer, Chief of Atikameksheng Anishinawbek

“We are proud of our new signage. Our tricultural mandate is always top of mind, and appropriately representing this across our campus is an important step. Promoting engagement with and learning of Anishinaabemowin is a priority identified in our strategic plan and I look forward to our continuing support of this.” — Dr. Robert Haché, President and Vice-Chancellor of Laurentian University

“It is uplifting for our First Nation to see the Anishnaabemowin language recognized and used at Laurentian University. I have not only received positive comments from our members at Wahnapitae First Nation, but also from other First Nations as well.“ — Larry Roque, Chief of Wahnapitae First Nation

Laurentian University receives $250,000 from TPEI Foundation for scholarships supporting student exchanges

This unique partnership will enable Canadian students to study in China, and Chinese students to study in Canada

August 15, 2019 - Students at Laurentian University are all smiles as TPEI Accounting and Education Foundation has donated $250,000 in support of their education. This donation will fund scholarships for accounting students in China to study at Laurentian University as visiting students for 4 months. Similarly, the donation will also financially support Canadian students who choose to study the Globalized Accounting Professional Program at the Zhejiang University of Finance & Economics (ZUFE).

This marks the first time the TPEI foundation has made a donation towards a Canadian university. Its co-founders, Mr. Leung Kam Chi (Oliver) and Ms. Ko Fung Man (Barbara), had represented the Canadian Professional Accounting education program in China, and worked with Canadian universities for more than 20 years (TPEI Accounting and Education Foundation is the representative of CPA Canada in China). Oliver and Barbara view this donation as a way to give back. “We are fortunate to be in a position to fund these unique experiences for students at both Laurentian and ZUFE. We know that this will allow students to better understand accounting in a global sense and broaden their perspectives. This is a very special day for us.”

For Laurentian University, this donation falls squarely in line with goals set out in the 2018-2023 Strategic Plan. “Student success is our success. With these funds, we’re creating unique learning opportunities and experiences for students to study internationally. More than ever, our business students must think globally and this donation creates even more opportunities for them to do just that.” said Dr. Robert Haché, President and Vice-Chancellor of Laurentian University.

As a result of this investment, four Chinese students are already expected to arrive in Sudbury this September, with ten more arriving in January. The TPEI Foundation is a strong supporter of young scholars who are prepared to broaden their scope globally, and to obtain quality education in accounting and finance.

About TPEI Accounting and Education Foundation

TPEI Accounting and Education Foundation (TPEI Foundation) was established under the Canadian Federal statute in 2015.

Their mission: To prepare instructors to teach education materials with highly recognized global standards and shape young learners to become future leaders with high ethical standards.

Their vision: To serve as the bridge and support for providing quality education to train fully competent professionals in China and Canada.

Haykuykuy! Bienvenidos! Laurentian Welcomes Peruvian Researchers

International exchange focuses on environment, remediation

August 15, 2019 - Laurentian University is pleased to welcome distinguished colleagues from abroad this week, as we play host to a delegation from Peru. The six researchers and officials are visiting Robinson-Huron Treaty territory to participate in the week-long Building Environmental Strategies workshop. Our distinguished guests include Augusto Cauti, vice-minister of mines in Peru’s Ministry of Energy and Mines. The series of courses was specially crafted for the delegates by the Goodman School of Mines.

The main goal of the workshops is to help our guests build an environmental remediation plan for their respective regions. Much of the focus will be on sharing knowledge about Sudbury’s successful remediation efforts, and to show delegates how to replicate this collaborative work. Other elements of the courses include duty to consult, establishing environmental protection regulations, and monitoring water quality.

The visit is a return in kind, following our own delegation’s visit two four Peruvian states in May of this year organized by the CORE Foundation. To celebrate, the City of Sudbury has sponsored an Indigenous dinner Wednesday night, attended by Mayor Brian Bigger.

Whether we say biindigen, welcome, bienvenidos, bienvenue, or haykuykuy, we hope the delegates leave inspired and motivated for the important greening tasks ahead.

QUOTE

“Learning about Sudbury’s remediation story, our engagement with Indigenous communities, and our university’s role in supporting world-leading researchers is providing a strong basis for collaboration.” Dr Robert Haché, President and Vice-Chancellor of Laurentian University

Laurentian University approves tuition exemption for youth in extended society care (Crown Wards)

NOTE: As of September 2022, this program has been changed to a bursary. Click this link to have up to date information.

August 13, 2019 – Laurentian University is pleased to announce that youth in extended society care will once again be eligible to apply for a full tuition exemption for courses at Laurentian. This program will be open to current and former youth in the care of the children’s aid society, who are pursuing their first post-secondary degree. This tuition exemption program was initiated in 2012 and has been approved again for the upcoming academic year. This funding will be extended to support the equivalent of ten full-time students and is available to students studying full-time or part-time.

“These students, many of whom are Indigenous, face unique challenges in accessing post-secondary education,” said Dr. Serge Demers, Laurentian’s interim Vice-President, Academic and Provost. “It is important that we remove barriers and enable them to achieve their academic goals. We are proud to continue supporting this group of students and we will look towards fundraising within our community to expand the program’s reach in future years.”

This initiative was championed by Jane Kovarikova, a Laurentian University graduate and former youth-in-care. “Post-secondary credentials have made it possible for the few of us who were lucky to achieve our goals,” she said. “Most of us simply don’t have the same opportunities. I am very grateful that I had access to post-secondary via a pathway through my community college and then onward to university studies. I wish for all those raised in care to have the same opportunities.” Jane is the holder of multiple degrees, and is now a Ph.D. candidate.

Conditions

To be eligible for the tuition waiver, students must:

Have been in extended society care in Ontario for a minimum of one year.
Apply for non-repayable grant funding through full-time or part-time OSAP each academic year. Students are not required to apply for loan funding.
Have exhausted any other type of available government funding available.

The waiver is valued at the total amount of tuition fees, less any OSAP non-repayable grant funding and/or any other provincial funding for which the student may be eligible. In order to qualify for the waiver, students must self-identify through the OSAP application process and provide the supporting documentation indicated below. Priority will be given to first degree, first-time applicants.

For interested students, more information and application instructions are available within the Laurentian University website.

Laurentian University and Fleming College create unique pathway to master’s degree

July 25, 2019 – Fleming College graduates from the Environmental Visual Communication (EVC) program now have the option of completing a master’s degree at Laurentian University. It is the first pathway of its kind in postsecondary education in the province.

The institutions have signed an agreement allowing eligible graduates of Fleming’s EVC program to continue their education in the Master’s of Science Communication (M.S.Com) program at Laurentian. Fleming graduates will receive 21 credits for their EVC certificate and will complete 12 additional credits at Laurentian University to receive their master’s, which can be completed in three academic terms. To be eligible, students must have completed an undergraduate degree in addition to the Fleming certificate.

“This unique pathway to a master’s degree is ground-breaking for Fleming College and we are very pleased to offer this to our qualified EVC graduates,” said Brett Goodwin, Principal of Fleming’s Frost Campus and Dean of the School of Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences. “This pathway is extremely attractive to students and will offer a seamless option from an Ontario Graduate Certificate into a master’s program. The environmental sector is experiencing strong growth and the EVC program provides students with a unique and highly marketable portfolio of communication skills that will only be enhanced through this pathway into a Master’s of Science Communication.”

“In many career tracks in Science Communication, a master’s degree is often a requirement to qualify for more senior positions, and the MSCom program is attracting students who already have their EVC credentials,” said Dr. Chantal Barriault, Director of Master of Science Communication program at Laurentian University. “Laurentian is very pleased about this pathway agreement with Fleming College as it will increase the pool of potential applicants.”

Fleming’s EVC program runs in a compressed, intensive format and students are on-campus at the Royal Ontario Museum during their first and second semester. The program is designed to fill a recognized need for individuals who are passionate about environmental issues and storytelling, and who want to effectively engage people to foster change.

Laurentian’s Master’s of Science Communication program is Canada’s first and only comprehensive Master’s program in Science Communication. The program is delivered in partnership with Science North, which provides students an experiential learning opportunities for research and application of science communication principles. Recently recognized by the Royal Canadian Institute for Science, the program delivers a multidisciplinary experience that covers the theory underlying good communication, as well as the practical challenges of effectively communicating science and the issues involving science in society.

About Fleming College

Located in the heart of Central Ontario, Fleming College has campus locations in Peterborough, Lindsay, Cobourg and Haliburton. Named for famous Canadian inventor and engineer Sir Sandford Fleming, the college features more than 100 full-time programs in Arts and Heritage, Business, Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, General Arts and Sciences, Health and Wellness, Justice and Community Development, Skilled Trades and Technology, and Continuing Education. Fleming College has more than 6,800 full-time and 10,000 part-time students, and 71,000 alumni.

United Steelworkers commits $225,000 to occupational health and safety research at Laurentian University

Funds to support research relevant to Northern Ontario

JUNE 28, 2019 – Laurentian University interim President and Vice Chancellor, Dr. Pierre Zundel and United Steelworkers President (USW), Leo Gerard announced that the United Steelworkers are committing a total of $225,000 in research funding over the next three years to Laurentian University’s Centre for Research in Occupational Safety and Health (CROSH).

“It is important that USW support research that solves workplace problems and improves the safety of all workers, including those in Northern Ontario; we are proud of our continued support of CROSH’s efforts,” said Leo Gerard.

Over the last 8 years, the United Steelworkers have been key supporters in the development of CROSH; including previous commitments of $50,000 to obtain a Research Chair in Occupational Health and Safety, $50,000 in endowed scholarships for students, and $60,000 towards the operation of CROSH’s Mobile Laboratory, for a total investment of $385,000. The funds committed for the next three years will continue to support CROSH’s efforts to engage with northern workplaces, prioritizing their research needs as well as provide support to train students in-the-field.

Dr. Zundel stated that “CROSH’s efforts in the occupational health and safety field in the North have been ground breaking and would not be possible without the continued support of partners like the USW.”

As the only occupational health and safety research centre located in northern Ontario, CROSH envisions a team-approach to solving critical and relevant workplace challenges, by including workers, workplaces, communities, government and safe work associations in a field approach to research. Specifically CROSH emphasizes a field-to-lab-to-field approach where researchers engage face-to-face with communities and industries to understand critical workplace problems they are dealing with. CROSH researchers conduct field measures to understand the problem, develop evidenced-based solutions in the lab and then go back to the workplace to test the solutions in the field. CROSH has launched a Mobile research lab (M-CROSH) that allows students and researchers to travel to remote communities and provide on-site facilities while in the field. CROSH has also built a Workplace Simulator Lab that allows researchers to replicate workplace conditions in a controlled environment to test solutions.

“The funds announced today will strengthen CROSH’s ability to carry out research and reach evidenced based solutions that are relevant to communities and industries in the north; communities who have traditionally been unable to participate in research, due to their geographic isolation. USW’s past and continued support of CROSH has a significant impact on CROSH’s success, in particular, it has helped students develop the skills they need to be the future occupational safety and health leaders,” says CROSH Director, Sandra Dorman.

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