Latest news with #MUN
CBC
5 days ago
- Business
- CBC
Memorial University announces major budget cuts, 20 layoffs
Twenty permanent and contracted staff have been laid off from Memorial University, the school's president announced Thursday. A statement released by MUN president Jennifer Lokash said those employees have already been notified, and that career transition support is available. The university has also eliminated the operating budget for the Harris Centre, which served as a hub for research and public policy analysis in St. John's. It was also the home of the annual Newfoundland and Labrador Vital Signs report. While the operational funding is gone, Lokash stated grant-funded projects at the Harris Centre will continue until the end of each contract. The Office of Public Engagement in St. John's will close as well. Lokash wrote that the university is "facing challenges that necessitate new ways of thinking and bold action." The writing centre on the St. John's campus, which just celebrated its 40th anniversary, will merge its services with others within the Centre for Innovation in Teaching and Learning. MUN says its budget, which was reduced by $20.85 million in base expenditure, also led them to cut any vacant permanent positions, and it will reduce contract teaching in coming years. "Achieving this significant and necessary reduction in expenses to align spending with revenue necessitates difficult decisions to ensure the long-term sustainability of our university," Lokash wrote. The president added in her statement that expenses related to travel and materials will be reduced, as will budgets for internal funding programs. A one-time payment of $3.9 million was allocated to fund as many as 363 additional course sections.
The Star
17-07-2025
- Health
- The Star
Outspoken by choice
I WAS never a chatty person when I was younger. I found it difficult to talk to new acquaintances and make friends. Whenever these social situations arose, my heart would pound in my chest, and I would feel a tightness across it. Even when I had strong points to make, I could not communicate them well. I was also extremely inept at understanding other people's perspectives. The turning point came when my mother registered me for an online Model United Nations (MUN) competition when I was 11, during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. In the first few rounds of debate, I felt disheartened. My speeches were choppy and dry – just a few sentences strung together, barely getting my point across. I had no idea what to do. It felt hopeless. I was on the verge of giving up, but something kept pushing me forward, telling me I could do it – that my points were valid but my delivery needed work. So, I focused on one speech at a time. That was when I began to feel better – not just about speaking, but about stepping out of my comfort zone in a way I never had before. Choosing to pursue public speaking and debate has changed me for the better. I now feel more confident expressing my opinions and making myself heard. It has allowed me to build meaningful relationships with like-minded, talented individuals. I no longer feel anxious about being judged for what I say. I feel freer, as if a heavy weight has been lifted – though I still relapse occasionally. It is difficult to pinpoint when, but I knew this newfound confidence was a gift – an opportunity to spark change. So, I began joining more debate and MUN conferences to meet new people and strengthen my communication skills. I have received the 'Most Improved Delegate' award and the 'Most Outstanding Delegate' award in two conferences. All of this had an after-effect: the desire to use my voice for good. When you are unafraid to speak up, to discuss important topics, and to contribute as part of the generation who will inherit the world, there is a certain high to it – though it is important to stay grounded and avoid sounding self-important. I want to keep growing so I can make an impact on those around me. Since September last year, I have taken on new roles – chairing and crisis-directing in MUN conferences – and I also founded my school's MUN club. This has allowed me to guide fellow delegates, share tips, and give my schoolmates the opportunity to experience the same life-changing growth I went through. I still continue to hone my skills. I have assumed several leadership roles with differing responsibilities, such as serving as commander of my school's sports house from 2023 to 2024, and becoming head prefect this year while focusing on my International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) exams. The desire to grow and change lives gets me out of bed each morning. I don't yet know what my full potential is, but I want to reach it. I hope to empower others to speak up – with the following tips. 1. Grow through practice It is important to push past your fears and start talking. Yes, you will feel terrified at first, but that feeling will fade – and when it does, you will feel incredibly empowered. A good place to start is at school. Step outside your age group and join extracurricular clubs to connect with older students. Try out for leadership roles. Keep reminding yourself to speak up – it will become a habit over time. 2. Read up To build confidence, read up on topics that interest you, especially global issues or current events. For instance, I am fascinated by the militarisation in East Asia. I have found that people who are well-informed are often eager to discuss such topics. Sports is another great conversation starter. People love talking about their favourite Formula One driver or football team. Shared interests often lead to lasting friendships. I have made many friends simply because we support the same football club. 3. Frame your ideas If you want to be heard, start with a bold statement. This will immediately catch listeners' interest. Then back it up with a logical, fact-based explanation and draw a sound conclusion. Most importantly, don't shy away from opposing viewpoints. Embrace the clash of ideas – but be respectful and acknowledge valid points from others. 4. Build fluency A strong grasp of language boosts self-esteem and helps you make a good first impression. Read widely, and keep a small notebook of interesting words. Try to use them in daily conversations. Push yourself to speak even when it feels awkward – eventually, it will become second nature. 5. Never stop Keep striving to improve, and don't back down from challenges. As you grow, stay humble. A good leader listens before they speak. Most of all, aim to leave an impact on your community – something that endures beyond your time. Don't keep the treasure to yourself. Share your lessons and help others grow, too. Thaneish, 17, a student in Selangor, is a participant of the BRATs Young Journalist Programme run by The Star's Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) team. For updates on the BRATs programme, go to With the theme of the article in mind, carry out the following English language activities. 1. In pairs, choose three nouns or verbs from this article. Then, create a short dialogue using those words. Present it to the class. 2. Pair up and take turns talking about a news article that you found most interesting in today's newspaper. The Star's Newspaper-in-Education (Star-NiE) programme promotes English language learning in primary and secondary schools nationwide. For Star-NiE enquiries, email starnie@
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Botany on the Rock brings together plant focused people
The Canadian botanical associations annual meeting and conference was held in Newfoundland and Labrador for the first time in almost 50 years, from June 10 to 14. The four and a half day conference is filled with activities such as public lectures, discussion, and even some field trips. Meghan McCarthy hosted one of the field trips to MUN's Botanical Garden. She told CBC News how excited she is to show plant focused people the lesser seen side of the gardens. "As much as we love the garden side, we do a lot of things," McCarthy said. A group of almost thirty people showed up in a yellow school bus. They pulled into the parking lot where McCarthy greeted them and handed out maps to the garden. However, instead of heading into the gardens, they went across the street to the greenhouses. They got to look at some rare plants there and some seedlings that had just started to grow. Ben Falthan is a MUN student and was volunteering on this trip. He said it's been a very big deal to have this huge conference here in our little city. "Newfoundland is such a nice place. It has such a great and unique biodiversity and plant ecosystems," Felthan said. Felthan is a biology undergrad student. He was selected for the volunteer position by his professor. He said he loves plants and was happy to spend the day around them. "There's a lot of very passionate people here about plants, " Felthan said. "It's great to bring everyone together." In total around 100 people traveled to the island for this conference, McCarthy said. Professors, students, experts and amateurs have come together for the common interest of plants, conservation, and sustainability. "Over half the conference is students, so it's a really great opportunity for students to share their research," said McCarthy. Download our free CBC News app to sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Sign up for our daily headlines newsletter here. Click here to visit our landing page.
CBC
13-06-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Happy City hoping to inspire candidates ahead of N.L. election season
Newfoundland and Labrador is about four months out from what will likely become election season in the province — and a St. John's non-profit group thinks there will likely be some big changes at the local level. "I don't think a lot of people want to go back to an all-white, all-male city council that doesn't include a lot of other perspectives in the community," said Drew Richardson, vice-chair of Happy City, and group that says they want to inform and facilitate public dialouge around civic issues in the city. Richardson said they're expecting to see some a shakeup at some municipal council tables as people seek inclusivity. The group is working to recruit a diverse set of candidates for the province's municipal elections, and is running what they're calling a campaign school for anyone interested in running for council, joining a campaign staff, or engaging in the electoral process. It's happening in the MUN dining hall on Sat. June 14, and includes four panels at MUN's R. Gushue Hall between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. N.T. Richardson thinks the fear of losing holds back some people from running, but he said it shouldn't. "I don't think there's any shame in losing an election because just inherently running yourself brings your network into the arena of municipal politics, and that makes the arena stronger," he said. The province's requirements for candidates is that they're eligible to vote in the area they're running, be a resident of the municipality for at least 30 days before the nomination period, not owe money to the municipality, work for the current council or for another level of government as a politician or a judge. The municipal elections will happen across N.L. on Oct. 2, bringing voters to the polls in 276 incorporated municipalities less than two weeks before the Oct. 14 deadline for a provincial election. The Liberals, PCs, and NDP are already getting candidates nominated and ready to hit the campaign trail, but Premier John Hogan has not said when he'll call an election.
The Hindu
18-05-2025
- The Hindu
A student from Sitapur on her experience of the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (KL-YES) Programme
There are moments in life that change you in ways you can't fully understand until later; moments that shape your future and how you see the world. My year in the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (KL-YES) Programme 2023-24 was one of those moments. This programme, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, gave me an opportunity to be part of a 10-month cultural exchange in the U.S., where I learned about leadership, peace, and global connections. My journey started in September when I landed in Boston, just as the city's autumn colours were at their peak. The mix of Boston's history, the energy from its universities, and the excitement of sports made the city feel alive, and the vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows of fall made it feel like the perfect time to start something new. From the start, my host family made me feel at home. I was introduced to the everyday rhythms of American life, and I realised that home is not just about where you live, but who you're with. More than a visitor Through the year, I travelled to places like Wisconsin, New York, and Georgia but what made these trips special wasn't just the sightseeing; it was the experiences we shared. Whether it was celebrating Christmas and New Year together, carving pumpkins for Halloween, or skating on frozen ponds in New Hampshire, those small, simple moments made me feel I wasn't just visiting; I was living it. At Meridian Academy, where I was a sophomore, I learned to think critically and participate in discussions that mattered. It was more than about getting good grades; it was about engaging with ideas and people from all over the world. The Model United Nations (MUN) conferences I attended at MIT and Brown University were a great opportunity to connect with students from different countries and talk about global issues that we all care about. One unforgettable experience was a two-week trip to Puerto Rico with my Spanish class. Besides improving my Spanish, I got to work on rebuilding homes and communities that had been impacted by Hurricane Maria. The KL-YES Program gave me plenty of opportunities to grow and I learned how to work with others toward a common goal. I earned a certificate from the U.S. Department of State for completing over 100 hours of volunteer work, which made me feel that I was truly making a difference. Whether it was in poetry and ceramics clubs or during MUN sessions, I learned how important it is to communicate clearly, collaborate with others, and take initiative. Looking back, I realise this year led me to discover more about myself, grow as a person, and see the world in a bigger way. I came home with a deeper understanding of who I am, more excited than ever to continue exploring the world around me. Even though my time with the KL-YES programme has come to an end, the friendships I have made, the lessons I have learned, and the memories I created will stay with me. I'm beyond thankful to my family, my school, my mentors, and everyone who made this an experience I'll never forget. The writer is a student of VidyaGyan School, Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh.
