Latest news with #UniversityofWinnipeg
Winnipeg Free Press
3 days ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
The benefits of basic research in universities
Opinion A few weeks ago, I told my eldest son's wife that I planned to write and publish after retirement from the University of Winnipeg. She didn't understand, because she thought the job of university professors was just to teach. She did not appreciate that we do scientific research, including especially what might be called curiosity-driven or basic research with no foreseeable immediate application. Such misunderstanding appears widespread, given comments on right-wing Facebook pages. As U.S. President Donald Trump withholds government funding from Harvard and bans students from other countries, including Canada, comments appear like 'Cut funding to Harvard and give it to trades schools' and 'Harvard with $50 billion in endowment doesn't need taxpayer support.' Education in trades is important, but the money being cut is for research, not teaching, including basic research done in universities and without which people wouldn't even have a device or internet to spread misleading comments. Moreover, only interest from endowments can be spent, and just for purposes specified by donors (e.g., research, scholarships), not for general university operations. Spending only the interest ensures donors' goals last forever. Many people know Marie Curie discovered radioactivity, but fewer know her groundbreaking work was conducted at Sorbonne university in Paris. Government support for basic research on radioactivity by many university scientists led ultimately to MRI machines, nuclear power plants, and tools to support sustainable agriculture, to mention a few benefits. Another familiar scientist, Albert Einstein, is known for his highly theoretical research on relativity, developed in a Swiss patent office and then several universities. The theory seems far removed from practical use, but wrongly so. It is fundamental to many current devices, such as lasers and GPS, the latter using satellites with highly precise atomic clocks. Next time you use a smartphone to find your way, think of Einstein. Although Curie and Einstein are well known, much basic research leading to advances is carried out by unnamed scientists working away in university laboratories. Here are just a few examples of research that formed the foundation for applications we benefit from today. Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are tiny biological capsules (100-200 nanometers in size, 25.4 million nm = one inch), and studied for decades in universities, again with government funding. Better understanding of LNPs eventually led to such applications as delivering medicines to treat cancer or prevent disease and increasing uptake of nutrients in agriculture. Nanoparticles in catalytic converters reduce harmful emissions from cars. On the surface, pure mathematics appears an unlikely candidate for practical benefits. People studied number theory, for example, simply to understand the properties and beauty of mathematics. No one anticipated that the abstract and highly theoretical study of prime numbers divisible only by 1 and themselves (e.g., 3, 7, 53) would be fundamental for cryptography. Next time you make an e-transfer, thank number theory for the security of the transmission. Basic research in many sciences can lead to later applications. In cognitive psychology, for example, research on lists of words and other lab tasks demonstrated that mental images play an important role in memory. This theory informs applications in education, such as using multi-media to learn knowledge involving visual concepts as in chemistry. These examples illustrate that diverse applications depend on prior knowledge developed by research done out of curiosity without foreseen benefits. As noted by psychologist Kurt Lewin, 'There is nothing so practical as a good theory.' Applied research at universities is also undermined by cuts in taxpayer support. Governments funded years of work at the Universities of Manitoba and Saskatchewan that led to a variety of rapeseed plant with low acidic content and to one of Canada's largest crops and exports, canola. And many industries benefit from skilled graduates with research experience. How important is basic research? Very! J. H. Comroe Jr. and R. D. Dripps reviewed research necessary for certain medical advances (e.g., cardiac surgery, chemotherapy). Basic, curiosity-driven research made up about 40 per cent of studies, much done in universities. It makes sense. Without knowing how the heart works or cancer fundamentals, better diagnosis and treatment is impossible. I understand why my daughter-in-law did not appreciate the science side of my job. She never attended university and even if she had, few students see that part of university work unless they serve as research assistants or do research themselves, activities that are less likely with reduced taxpayer support. In short, research that lacks foreseeable applications is invisible to most members of the public. Sadly, short-sighted politicians can exploit people's lack of knowledge for political gain and to cut government support. The result is fewer countries invest in university research to simply understand the world, and fewer benefit economically from later applications without which the world is worse off. James M. Clark is a professor of Psychology at the University of Winnipeg.
Time Out
28-05-2025
- Business
- Time Out
It's official: Montreal tops list of cheapest student cities in North America
It's official: Canadian cities dominate the ranking of the most affordable places to study in North America, offering a clear edge over many U.S. destinations. An in-depth study analyzing which cities around the world offer students the most value for money when it comes to studying abroad has Canada dominating the list. Looking at various factors that determine the cost and affordability of a student location, from tuition fees and visa costs to average rent and cost of living, Remitly revealed Canada outshines the US for North American value, with 7 Canadian cities offering the continent's most budget-friendly quality higher education. The research by Remitly, the international money transferring service, analysed data from over 1,700 universities and cities around the world to reveal where dollars, euros, yen, or pesos will stretch the furthest. To determine the best value destinations, they analysed the average cost of living, average rent, student visa fees, and national average tuition fees. And we haven't even talked about all the amazing free things to do. Based on these factors, they assigned each city an 'Education Expenses Index score' out of 100, with lower scores indicating the most affordable destinations. Which city is the most affordable for students? Which cities in North America are most affordable places to study? The top 10 cheapest countries and cities to study in North America are as follows: 1. Winnipeg, Canada 2. Montreal, Canada 3. Kingston, Canada 4. Edmonton, Canada 5. Columbia, US 6. Lansing, US 7. Lincoln, US 8. Waterloo, Canada 9. Saskatoon, Canada 10. Ottawa, Canada According to the study, Winnipeg ranks as the most affordable city on the continent for university education, scoring 50.62. The Manitoba capital strikes a great balance between low living costs and a welcoming community—ideal for newcomers and students alike. The University of Winnipeg is also known for its smaller class sizes, offering a more personalized learning environment. Canadian cities dominate the rankings, claiming three more spots in the top five. Montreal (51.20), Kingston (51.57), and Edmonton (52.60) all stand out for their strong value. With renowned institutions like the University of Montreal and McGill University, coupled with more manageable rental prices and lower visa fees, Canadian cities offer a clear edge over many U.S. destinations. For students set on studying in the U.S., the Midwest emerged as a smart choice for budget-minded internationals. Cities like Columbia, Missouri (52.76), Lansing, Michigan (53.18), and Lincoln, Nebraska (53.42) deliver the classic American college experience at a fraction of the cost of coastal hotspots like New York or San Francisco.
Winnipeg Free Press
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Doubled Grade 9 math instruction plus overhauled curriculum will equal better high school results, Manitoba Education officials calculate
Grade 9 students in the province will be getting a mandatory math makeover that education officials expect will add up to better results and an improved learning experience in the core subject. Manitoba Education has overhauled the curriculum for incoming high schoolers to expose all students to budgeting 101 and increase foundational numeracy lessons. And the amount of instruction is being doubled. Starting in September 2027, a new mandatory mathematics course will span the entirety of every student's Grade 9 school year. The rollout is being phased in with a pilot in selected schools scheduled for this fall. The course is slated to replace four existing options — Grade 9 Mathematics, Transitional Mathematics, Transitional Mathematics I and Transitional Mathematics II. 'Math is so critical and foundational to learning for students and we know that the scores here in Manitoba are not reflective of the potential that we know that our students have,' Education Minister Tracy Schmidt said in an interview Friday. Last year, 87 per cent of first-time ninth graders — the Class of 2027 — attained a mathematics credit. That figure dropped to 56 per cent among students in northern Manitoba. Schmidt said high school teachers have long shared challenges related to getting through current curricula because of how dense it is. The replacement Grade 9 course is essentially two credits instead of one, she said. Some high schools offer a year-round introductory math course at present, but many have semestered models. The status-quo means some students take math in the fall of Grade 9 and do not revisit the subject until the winter of Grade 10. The minister indicated her department's statistics show that gaps affect academic results. That's one of the motivating factors for change, she said, noting that students can only benefit from more direct instruction in math. COVID-19 pandemic disruptions to schooling, which resulted in many learners studying math from a distance, took a noticeable toll on Grade 12 provincial exam results. The average scores in both applied and pre-calculus streams — 60 per cent and 62 per cent — dropped by about four per cent and six per cent, respectively, between 2018-2019 and 2023-2024. Schmidt said Grade 9 is a fitting time to address financial literacy and bolster math instruction, in general, because students are introduced to streaming and start to customize their schedules significantly the following year. In Grade 10, students can choose essential mathematics or a combined applied and pre-calculus course. Pre-calculus is a prerequisite to many professional post-secondary programs. High school math teacher Jehu Peters and Anna Stokke, a professor at the University of Winnipeg, both endorsed the decision to extend the Grade 9 course over a full year. Peters described Grade 9 as 'a pivotal year' in a news release on the subject. Stokke said in an email that she was pleased to hear the minister had publicly recognized that students need better preparation for advanced math courses. 'It's important to keep in mind that math is cumulative, so closing math gaps among students needs to start earlier — in kindergarten-to-Grade 8 — where the foundation for success in high school math is built,' she added. Manitoba is earmarking $65,000 for the Canadian Foundation for Economic Education to renew resources for Grade 9 teachers to deliver the new curriculum and help others integrate financial literacy from Grade 4 to 10. Early years data on numeracy is particularly stark in Manitoba. Just over one-third of Grade 3 students in English programs met grade-level expectations for math during 2023-2024. That figure has remained stable over the last decade. Maggie MacintoshEducation reporter Maggie Macintosh reports on education for the Free Press. Originally from Hamilton, Ont., she first reported for the Free Press in 2017. Read more about Maggie. Funding for the Free Press education reporter comes from the Government of Canada through the Local Journalism Initiative. Every piece of reporting Maggie produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Winnipeg Free Press
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
University of Winnipeg employee calls for investigation into leadership under whistleblower law
A University of Winnipeg employee has filed a whistleblower report that calls for a probe into overall operations at the post-secondary institution amid mounting concerns about its leadership. The Free Press obtained a six-page submission to the Manitoba ombudsman about the publicly funded institution under president Todd Mondor. It echoes concerns on campus about employee turnover, transparency about recent cost-cutting measures and new rules that censor protests and other activities at U of W. The complaint was filed late last month. The ombudsman is assessing whether it requires further investigation. 'It might be unusual to have a whistleblower complaint, but that may be more reflective of the person who filed it rather than the culture at the U of W,' Mondor told the Free Press Monday in a rare interview. SUPPLIED Manitoba's whistleblower protection legislation facilitates the disclosure and investigation of significant and serious wrongdoing within public bodies. It was created to protect employees who have evidence of unethical or illegal activities. U of W's president defended his track record over the last three years — his five-year term began in April 2022 — at the helm of the school, saying he's tried to be as transparent and collaborative as possible. Mondor said that ethos is why he has organized seven town halls during his tenure and made it well known the university is projecting a significant deficit for 2025-2026. Senior administration has primarily attributed the financial crunch to an unfair provincial funding formula and a drop in first-year international student enrolment. Mondor said the number of new international students this year dropped by 10 per cent compared to 2023-2024. Manitoba's Public Interest Disclosure (Whistleblower Protection) Act Provincial legislation was first introduced in 2007 to protect bureaucrats and employees at other public institutions from retaliation if they step forward with information about serious wrongdoing inside the public service. Employees must submit a form that identifies the type of alleged wrongdoing, a description of it and the names of those responsible. Following an initial assessment, the ombudsman can decline or launch an investigation, facilitate a resolution or refer a case to an institution's Public Interest Disclosure Act designated officer or the auditor general. While he said that percentage is expected to triple next year, he did not have a rough estimate of how much U of W expects to be in the red in a year's time. Public meeting minutes show he has told senate the shortfall could be between $4 million and $18 million. The administration has announced numerous reductions to find cost savings. Since the fall, they have included a hiring freeze, reduced discretionary spending and cancelling both an English-language program and the 2025 women's soccer season. The university has not revealed how much each measure has saved, but it did not end the recent fiscal year with a deficit. The whistleblower is calling for an investigation into spending on external consultants and management positions. U of W recently contracted Higher Education Strategy Associates, a Toronto-based consulting firm, to study Manitoba's funding model for post-secondary education, conduct a campus space audit and develop its new strategic plan. Mondor's administration has also hired Show and Tell Agency, a marketing firm headquartered in the Exchange District, to create a brand strategy. 'A university that is financially challenged should be very careful about which consultants it hires for anything — for strategic plans and, certainly, for branding exercises,' said Peter Miller, president of the faculty association, echoing the whistleblower's concerns about frivolous spending. Miller said morale among his members is low and budget pressures are only one contributing factor. There has been a 'fundamental shift' in how his employer of nearly a decade operates, said the associate professor and chair of the classics department. 'Faculty are being consulted less and are playing a less-central role in the governance of the institution,' he said. One example is the administration updating a policy on accessing buildings and posting it online without consulting academics who are contractually entitled to have input on changes to their workplace, Miller noted. The changes require outdoor event organizers to obtain explicit pre-approval from the administration and ban visitors outside regular school hours 'unless authorized by security.' The updated policy explicitly prohibits camping on university grounds. Those updates, as well as the drafting of an entirely new convocation policy that polices attire and activities, appear to respond to a recent wave of pro-Palestinian protests at universities in Winnipeg and across the country. 'I understand it's tough to be an administrator. I wouldn't want to do it, but I think they really need to consider what kind of university culture they want to manifest and to nurture.'–Kelly Gorkoff, associate professor and chair of the UofW criminal justice department Protesters set up encampments both at the U of W and University of Manitoba, Mondor's previous employer, last spring. A medical school valedictorian at the U of M made headlines after he urged fellow graduates to call for a ceasefire in Gaza. Kelly Gorkoff, a researcher who has worked at U of W for 18 years, said a lot of her colleagues are concerned about the state of transparency and 'the direction of the university.' 'I understand it's tough to be an administrator. I wouldn't want to do it, but I think they really need to consider what kind of university culture they want to manifest and to nurture. Universities have always been places of freedom of thinking, freedom of debate,' said the associate professor and chair of the criminal justice department. Gorkoff said there is a disconnect between U of W leadership's concerns about the suppression of academic freedom south of the border and its actions. As far as Miller is concerned, convocation is an extension of what happens in the classroom, so it should be a place for debate, discussion and dissent. He called it striking that U of W administration has written a graduation policy that would bar an attendee from holding up a sign that says 'land back' or wearing a keffiyeh, a black-and-white headdress that is a symbol of the Palestinian liberation movement. Asked about community concerns related to policy-making, Mondor said the university is formalizing existing practices and takes faculty input into consideration. While indicating he is not leading the convocation policy process, the president said, 'We don't want to suppress anyone's individual right to do whatever the heck they want.' 'That's why it's not live,' he said, adding the draft may not be approved and not go into effect, after all. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Mondor was asked for but did not provide the total cost of recent external contracts. He did, however, defend them as one-off expenses that drew on administrative budgets. U of W originally planned a public budget town hall this month. The university now plans to table its fiscal blueprint in early June. The Manitoba government did not directly respond to a question about whether it was aware of a whistleblower report involving the school. 'The ombudsman is the appropriate channel to deal with and investigate these matters,' a spokesperson for the department of advanced education said in a statement. The ombudsman's office indicated it cannot discuss specific inquiries or disclosures as they are treated confidentially. The time it takes to assess disclosures and conduct investigations varies based on available information and the volume of inquiries, said Amie Lesyk, communications officer for the ombudsman. Jill Perron has been Manitoba's ombudsman since 2019. Lesyk said the ombudsman receives an average of 25 whistleblower disclosures under Manitoba's Public Interest Disclosure (Whistleblower Protection) Act annually. A report on 2023-2024 activity shows 23 disclosures of wrongdoing were submitted; 16 of them, two of which were acted on, were closed. Maggie MacintoshEducation reporter Maggie Macintosh reports on education for the Free Press. Originally from Hamilton, Ont., she first reported for the Free Press in 2017. Read more about Maggie. Funding for the Free Press education reporter comes from the Government of Canada through the Local Journalism Initiative. Every piece of reporting Maggie produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Winnipeg Free Press
14-05-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
U of W employee calls for investigation into university's leadership under whistleblower legislation
A University of Winnipeg employee has filed a whistleblower report that calls for a probe into overall operations at the post-secondary institution amid mounting concerns about its leadership. The Free Press obtained a six-page submission to the Manitoba ombudsman about the publicly funded institution under president Todd Mondor. It echoes concerns on campus about employee turnover, transparency about recent cost-cutting measures and new rules that censor protests and other activities at U of W. The complaint was filed late last month. The ombudsman is assessing whether it requires further investigation. 'It might be unusual to have a whistleblower complaint, but that may be more reflective of the person who filed it rather than the culture at the U of W,' Mondor told the Free Press Monday in a rare interview. Manitoba's whistleblower protection legislation facilitates the disclosure and investigation of significant and serious wrongdoing within public bodies. It was created to protect employees who have evidence of unethical or illegal activities. U of W's president defended his track record over the last three years — his five-year term began in April 2022 — at the helm of the school, saying he's tried to be as transparent and collaborative as possible. Mondor said that ethos is why he has organized seven town halls during his tenure and made it well known the university is projecting a significant deficit for 2025-2026. Senior administration has primarily attributed the financial crunch to an unfair provincial funding formula and a drop in first-year international student enrolment. Mondor said the number of new international students this year dropped by 10 per cent compared to 2023-2024. While he said that percentage is expected to triple next year, he did not have a rough estimate of how much U of W expects to be in the red in a year's time. Public meeting minutes show he has told senate the shortfall could be between $4 million and $18 million. The administration has announced numerous reductions to find cost savings. Since the fall, they have included a hiring freeze, reduced discretionary spending and cancelling both an English-language program and the 2025 women's soccer season. The university has not revealed how much each measure has saved, but it did not end the recent fiscal year with a deficit. The whistleblower is calling for an investigation into spending on external consultants and management positions. U of W recently contracted Higher Education Strategy Associates, a Toronto-based consulting firm, to study Manitoba's funding model for post-secondary education, conduct a campus space audit and develop its new strategic plan. Mondor's administration has also hired Show and Tell Agency, a marketing firm headquartered in the Exchange District, to create a brand strategy. 'A university that is financially challenged should be very careful about which consultants it hires for anything — for strategic plans and, certainly, for branding exercises,' said Peter Miller, president of the faculty association, echoing the whistleblower's concerns about frivolous spending. Miller said morale among his members is low and budget pressures are only one contributing factor. There has been a 'fundamental shift' in how his employer of nearly a decade operates, said the associate professor and chair of the classics department. 'Faculty are being consulted less and are playing a less-central role in the governance of the institution,' he said. One example is the administration updating a policy on accessing buildings and posting it online without consulting academics who are contractually entitled to have input on changes to their workplace, Miller noted. The changes require outdoor event organizers to obtain explicit pre-approval from the administration and ban visitors outside regular school hours 'unless authorized by security.' The updated policy explicitly prohibits camping on university grounds. Those updates, as well as the drafting of an entirely new convocation policy that polices attire and activities, appear to respond to a recent wave of pro-Palestinian protests at universities in Winnipeg and across the country. Protesters set up encampments both at the U of W and University of Manitoba, Mondor's previous employer, last spring. A medical school valedictorian at the U of M made headlines after he urged fellow graduates to call for a ceasefire in Gaza. Kelly Gorkoff, a researcher who has worked at U of W for 18 years, said a lot of her colleagues are concerned about the state of transparency and 'the direction of the university.' 'I understand it's tough to be an administrator. I wouldn't want to do it, but I think they really need to consider what kind of university culture they want to manifest and to nurture. Universities have always been places of freedom of thinking, freedom of debate,' said the associate professor and chair of the criminal justice department. Gorkoff said there is a disconnect between U of W leadership's concerns about the suppression of academic freedom south of the border and its actions. As far as Miller is concerned, convocation is an extension of what happens in the classroom, so it should be a place for debate, discussion and dissent. He called it striking that U of W administration has written a graduation policy that would bar an attendee from holding up a sign that says 'land back' or wearing a keffiyeh, a black-and-white headdress that is a symbol of the Palestinian liberation movement. Asked about community concerns related to policy-making, Mondor said the university is formalizing existing practices and takes faculty input into consideration. While indicating he is not leading the convocation policy process, the president said, 'We don't want to suppress anyone's individual right to do whatever the heck they want.' 'That's why it's not live,' he said, adding the draft may not be approved and not go into effect, after all. Mondor was asked for but did not provide the total cost of recent external contracts. He did, however, defend them as one-off expenses that drew on administrative budgets. U of W originally planned a public budget town hall this month. The university now plans to table its fiscal blueprint in early June. The Manitoba government did not directly respond to a question about whether it was aware of a whistleblower report involving the school. 'The ombudsman is the appropriate channel to deal with and investigate these matters,' a spokesperson for the department of advanced education said in a statement. The ombudsman's office indicated it cannot discuss specific inquiries or disclosures as they are treated confidentially. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. The time it takes to assess disclosures and conduct investigations varies based on available information and the volume of inquiries, said Amie Lesyk, communications officer for the ombudsman. Jill Perron has been Manitoba's ombudsman since 2019. Lesyk said the ombudsman receives an average of 25 whistleblower disclosures under Manitoba's Public Interest Disclosure (Whistleblower Protection) Act annually. A report on 2023-2024 activity shows 23 disclosures of wrongdoing were submitted; 16 of them, two of which were acted on, were closed. Maggie MacintoshEducation reporter Maggie Macintosh reports on education for the Free Press. Originally from Hamilton, Ont., she first reported for the Free Press in 2017. Read more about Maggie. Funding for the Free Press education reporter comes from the Government of Canada through the Local Journalism Initiative. Every piece of reporting Maggie produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
