By . Country-level reforms are the next stage needed in the development of a Europe-wide research area, according to a new report.
The European Commission report says that “good progress” has been made to date in setting the foundations to create an environment where researchers and scientific knowledge can flow freely between European countries. More...
How lab managers hire for science
By Jonathan Thon - The Black Hole. Most academic life science investigators struggle in the early years of lab start-ups, not because of their science, but from poor lab management. Much of this mismanagement invariably comes from poorly managed teams. For example, we all know a postdoc, tech or grad student who doesn’t seem to be pulling their weight. We have no idea why the principal investigator keeps them around. They haven’t produced any data for months and they hardly come in. More...
Control through chaos
By Liz Koblyk. Career planning typically revolves around big choices. Move to a bigger city or stay close to home? Do an advanced degree or two – or none? Pursue a secure job – or one that feels riskier but more rewarding?
Too bad that, just as minor changes in data can dramatically impact weather prediction calculations, small events in our lives can disrupt our career plans. More...
When it comes to science, Canadians care more than ever
By Gilles Patry. Let’s continue to raise the bar on science research.
In 2003, the University of Ottawa introduced Canada’s first ever President’s award to recognize professors who share their expertise with the media. Many universities and colleges across the country host science summer camps and open their research facilities for public tours. More...
Online tool aims to help graduate students develop their professional skills
By Natalie Samson. Mygradskills.ca will help students to succeed, whether they pursue a career in academia or not, say developers.
The Ontario Consortium for Graduate Professional Skills Training, or GPS, launched Mygradskills.ca on Sept. 7. The site offers graduate students and postdoctoral scholars at Ontario universities access to 18 free, self-paced modules on topics such as research management, converting a CV to a resumé, mentoring undergrads, mental health and wellness, and a primer on intellectual property. More...
Higher education isn’t all about finances
By Nancy Revie. Ah, school days, school days, good old golden rule days. As a mom I loved when school time rolled around. It was the beginning of getting life back to some kind of semblance of order.
September + school - summer vacation / activities + work = organized chaos + a happy mom.
Once this family hit the university years, we were blessed with Boomerangs who pursued higher levels of education. The first son attended the University of Guelph. More...
More budget cuts coming for universities: report
Quebec’s long-suffering universities could be facing deeper than expected cuts once again for 2014-15.
After a report in Le Soleil on Monday that budget cuts of $172 million are anticipated for universities in 2014-15, Premier Philippe Couillard said in a speech to the business community that everyone has to work to restore a balanced budget, and that the financial situation of the province is worse than he had expected. More...
Japanese universities increase classes taught in English
By Takuya Asakura. Takato Kosaka was a bit intimidated at first. But the Kyoto University freshman, determined to develop future skills, has buckled down in an anthropology course in which 80 percent of the students are from abroad.
“A class entirely in English was initially quite a load,” the engineering student said. “I attended this class because I want to have a future job assisting developing countries.”
Kyoto University plans to add about 100 foreign faculty members by the 2017 academic year to teach half of the elective liberal arts courses in English. More...
Top US universities recruit in Auckland
By John Gerritsen. Leading American universities including Caltech and New York University are recruiting students in Auckland on Saturday. It is only the second time American institutions have run a recruitment fair in New Zealand.
The fair will include Caltech, which boasts 32 Nobel Prize winners among its lecturers and alumni, New York University and UCLA.
Some have tuition fees as high as $55,000 dollars a year but they also have many scholarships. More...