UNews - Government of Canada

Breadth of research highlighted by latest CRC announcements

trevor.kenney — Thu, 03 May 2018 15:28:47 +0000

A trio of ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge researchers are among 186 persons who have been announced as new or renewed Canada Research Chairs (CRC) by the Government of Canada.

Drs. Monique Giroux (Indigenous studies), Trushar Patel (chemistry & biochemistry) and Julie Young (geography) were all named Tier II Canada Research Chairs as the Government of Canada unveiled a $158-million investment in the Canada Research Chairs program. An additional $8.3 million from the Canada Foundation for Innovation for research infrastructure is also associated with the new Chair awards.

Dr. Erasmus Okine, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s vice-president (research) says the appointments represent the breadth of research that is ongoing at the U of L.

“I am very pleased to see the federal government’s investment in these researchers and the valuable work they are doing,” says Okine. “From Indigenous studies to geography and chemistry & biochemistry, Drs. Giroux, Young and Patel are among the brightest ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ in their respective fields and have made valuable contributions to the betterment of our society. I look forward to what these appointments will further yield.”

Giroux’s research explores Métis/Indigenous cultural and political revival and resurgence across Canada, with her current work focusing on Métis cultural festivals in Saskatchewan and Alberta. Drawing on her experience as an ethnomusicologist and on research emerging from the areas of critical theory and Indigenous studies, Giroux examines how members of the Métis nation are engaging with the settler state through cultural events, and how cultural events are embodying broader political goals such as rebuilding the Métis nation, developing a nation-to-nation relationship with Canada, or, alternately, reinforcing the status quo.

Patel will unravel the principles underlying RNA-protein interactions during viral infections by employing sophisticated biophysical techniques. This will enable him to develop rational, targeted therapies for a range of viral infections. His strategy is innovative as it aims to target host proteins, rather than viral proteins that are subjected to genetic variability. His strong background in structural-biophysical characterization of RNA, DNA and proteins is highly beneficial to this program. The relevant experience of Patel and collaborators, the availability of infrastructure, and a very strong commitment from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ will ensure his success as a Canada Research Chair.

Young aims to establish the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge as a leading institution for critical border studies, with a focus on displacement and border control in settler colonial contexts. Her research program has three key objectives: to analyze migration management and resistance along the NAFTA corridor; to develop a community of scholars (locally, regionally, nationally, globally) around border studies in the context of settler colonial nation-states; and, to mobilize Lethbridge’s strategic location as a borderlands city and regional hub negotiating indigenous-settler histories and contemporary relations and more recent experiences with refugee resettlement.

Both Giroux and Young are Tier 2 Canada Research Chairs funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council. Patel is also a Tier 2 CRC with funding coming from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

Government of Canada announces funding to support synthetic biology maker space

trevor.kenney — Wed, 08 Jul 2015 19:44:23 +0000

The Honourable Michelle Rempel, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, has announced an investment of $1.1 million for the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge in support of the establishment of the first synthetic biology maker space (Synbridge) in Alberta.

“Our government recognizes the important role that innovation plays in creating jobs and economic growth,” says Rempel. “By investing in specialized equipment that will allow research findings to move more rapidly from lab to market, we are increasing Western Canada’s competitive advantage and helping to grow Canadian companies.”

Federal funding of $1.1 million, through the Western Diversification Program (WDP), will go towards the purchase of state of the art equipment to support the on campus maker space.

The Synbridge maker space initiative will enhance research capabilities, boost services available for industry partners, increase training capacity for Highly Qualified Personnel, and enable students to explore commercial applications of their research ideas.

Federal funding of $1.1 million, through the Western Diversification Program (WDP), will go towards the purchase of state of the art equipment to support the on campus maker space. This space will enable students at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ to move their research ideas to the proof of principle stage, while also providing western Canadian businesses in the life sciences sectors with enhanced access to the services and expertise they need to commercialize their technologies.

“Through the mentorship and leadership provided by our outstanding faculty, our students have shown they are among the best in the world, as evidenced by their excellent performances at international global synthetic biology competitions,” says Dr. Andy Hakin, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s provost and vice-president (academic). “This investment will be transformational for our students, and for the broader southern Alberta community. This new equipment will help students bring to life their ideas and provide opportunities to commercialize their initiatives.”

This project builds on the strength of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge in synthetic biology – a science that applies engineering principles to biological systems and that explores the design and development of new biological devices and systems. The potential of this emerging science has been widely recognized to create transformational enhancements in areas such as health care, agriculture, bio-fuels/energy, manufacturing, clean water and bio-remediation.

Gonzalez has Canada Research Chair renewed

trevor.kenney — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 21:48:59 +0000

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge kinesiology professor Dr. Claudia Gonzalez is among a group of 150 new and renewed Canada Research Chairs (CRC) announced this week by the Government of Canada.

The Honourable Ed Holder, Minister of State (Science and Technology), unveiled a $139-million investment, with an additional $7.6 million in infrastructure support from the Canada Foundation for Innovation, in the Canada Research Chairs program. The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is one of 36 post-secondary institutions in the country to receive funding.

Dr. Caudia Gonzalez, left, with Dr. Robbin Gibb and a trial with two young research subjects.

“Through our government’s updated science, technology and innovation strategy, we are making the record investments necessary to push the boundaries of knowledge, create jobs and opportunities, and improve the quality of life of Canadians,” says Holder. “Our government’s Canada Research Chairs Program develops, attracts and retains top talent researchers in Canada whose research, in turn, creates long-term social and economic benefits while training the next generation of students and researchers in Canada.”

Gonzalez, a Canada Research Chair in Sensorimotor Control, has had her Tier 2 Chair renewed for 5 years with an investment of $500,000. She was initially named a CRC in 2009. An accomplished researcher, her latest work on hemispheric differences in sensorimotor control encompasses behavioural, neuropsychological and developmental domains.

Some of her recent research has focused on hemispheric lateralization for grasping and linking those findings to the development of Executive Function (EF) and language. Gonzalez worked closely with U of L neuroscientist Dr. Robbin Gibb on several studies that showed that a more lateralized brain supports the development of EF – a blanket term that is considered to include self-regulation, working memory and planning. They have shown that children who used their right hand more often to pick up objects demonstrated better executive function and speech production proficiency.

“Our results suggest that EF enjoys privileged support from the left hemisphere, which also controls the right hand. More likely, however, the results indicate that greater degree of lateralization (either to the left or right hemisphere) supports better behavioural control,” says Dr. Claudia Gonzalez, a Canada Research Chair in Sensorimotor Control, and an associate professor in the Department of Kinesiology.

Along this research line, her lab is currently exploring different motor-based training programs to enhance EF and language development in typically-developing and clinical populations of children.

Gonzalez is one of 10 Canada Research Chairs on campus, spanning disciplines as diverse as psychology, neuroscience, history, economics, sociology, physics and biological sciences.

The Canada Research Chairs Program was created in 2000. It is an ongoing annual program designed to attract and retain some of the world’s most accomplished and promising minds by helping to promote research and development and supporting top-tier talent at Canadian post-secondary institutions.

Gairdner speaker event brings Dr. Samuel Weiss to campus

trevor.kenney — Mon, 07 Oct 2013 22:12:28 +0000

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge faculty and students, along with select southern Alberta high school students, will have the unique opportunity to experience a lecture by Gairdner International Award winner Dr. Samuel Weiss, Monday, Oct. 21.

The Gairdner Foundation Speaker Event will include a lecture for the area’s elite high school students, a lecture for U of L faculty and undergraduate students, as well as a host of interactive science activities designed to engage the visiting students as well as showcase the research activities taking place on campus.

Dr. Samuel Weiss won a 2008 Gairdner International Award.

“It is very exciting to be able to bring a Gairdner International Award winner to campus,” says ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge President and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Mike Mahon. “The fact that many people with our Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience also work closely with Dr. Weiss, makes it even more fitting.

“We’re also pleased to be able to allow high school students from throughout the area access to such a distinguished speaker, hopefully further inspiring their passion for science.”

Dr. Samuel Weiss is a Professor and Alberta Innovates – Health Solutions Scientist in the Department of Cell Biology & Anatomy at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Calgary Faculty of Medicine.

His lecture, The Stem Cells You Have in Your Brain: What Can They Do?, will be presented to high school students at 9:30 a.m., followed by a second lecture, Adult Neural Stem Cells: From Basic Science to Therapeutic Applications, at 11 a.m. for U of L faculty, undergraduate and graduate students. Both talks are in the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Theatre. High school students can sign up here.

Weiss is the inaugural Director of the Hotchkiss Brain Institute, whose mission is to translate innovative research and education into advances in neurological and mental health.

“The Gairdner Foundation is very pleased that the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge has become the 22nd institution to participate in our annual National Program of Lectures,” says Dr. John Dirks, President and Scientific Director of the Gairdner Foundation. “During a recent visit to the campus, we were very impressed with the quality of teaching and research, and particularly with the opportunities for undergraduate students. This year, Sam Weiss will speak to high school students about his life in science. We look forward to a long and rewarding relationship with the U of L.”

In 2008, Weiss was named recipient of a Gairdner International Award for “his seminal discovery of adult neural stem cells in the mammalian brain and its importance in nerve cell regeneration,” and in 2009 he was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada.

His current research focuses on human brain tumour stem cells and the development of new therapies for adult brain cancer.

Created in 1959 by James Arthur Gairdner, the Gairdner Foundation recognizes and rewards the achievements of medical researchers whose work contributes significantly to improving the quality of life. Over the past 53 years, a total of 313 Canada Gairdner International Awards have been presented to scientists from 15 countries, with 80 Canada Gairdner Laureates going on to win Nobel Prizes.

The Gairdner Foundation 2013 ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Lectures are sponsored by the Government of Canada, the Government of Alberta, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, BMO Bank of Montreal, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, London Drugs and the Globe and Mail.

To register for the high school portion of the event, follow this link.

Spencer returning as Canada Research Chair

trevor.kenney — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 15:30:41 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's first graduate in the Earth, Space and Physical Science PhD program is coming back to the U of L through the Canada Research Chairs program.

Astrophysicist Dr. Locke Spencer, who has been working at Cardiff ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ in Wales, is receiving $500,000 in funding over the next five years as a Tier II Canada Research Chair in Experimental Astrophysics.

The funding will support the development of instruments that will provide new insights and improved understanding of our universe. The focus of Spencer's research program will include the development of instrumentation unique within Canada, as well as the creation of new observation and data processing techniques that will be used for future large-scale international projects.

"I am very excited to continue research in this field and to start a new chapter of it at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge," says Spencer, a former Calgarian who attended the U of L for his masters and doctoral studies.

"My U of L graduate training has opened many doors for me and I am truly humbled at the prospect of embarking through this one. Through conducting research in Cardiff I have extended my skills and network to include a variety of leading international projects and collaborations. This CRC funding/position provides the opportunity to bring this experience to Canada and continue to build on the strong international reputation which we have."

During his initial time at the U of L, Spencer worked closely with graduate supervisor Dr. David Naylor in the development and eventual deployment of Spectral and Photometric Imaging Receiver (SPIRE), an instrument on the Herschel space telescope. SPIRE picked up heat signals that are not visible by optical telescopes, and will help to answer the age-old question astronomers have been asking for centuries: "What's out there?"

Spencer continued his involvement with the Herschel/SPIRE project while extending his research towards other projects including working with the Planck space telescope as a post-doctoral researcher at Cardiff.

Naylor says space astronomy projects typically have a cradle to grave lifespan of around two decades from concept studies, through engineering models to flight instrumentation, and the operation and post operation phases.

He adds Canada has rightly earned international recognition for its contributions to several space astronomy missions.

"With a number of far infrared space astronomy missions under development it is essential that Canada builds research capacity to exploit these emerging opportunities if it is to remain at the forefront of the field," says Naylor. "The U of L has recognized the long term nature of these opportunities and has made a strategic investment in the astronomical instrumentation group. Having spent the last years working with scientists on the Planck space project, Dr. Spencer brings a depth of expertise and a network of collaborators which will allow the U of L to further build upon its reputation."

Spencer's studies will advance the understanding of the evolution of the Universe through next-generation far-infrared space-based astrophysical instrumentation and will position Canada as a significant contributor to international research projects.

U of L Vice-President (Research) Dan Weeks says Spencer's research will build capacity in an area of research strength at the U of L.

"Through the efforts of researchers like Dr. Naylor and Dr. Spencer, the U of L has become an international leader in building instrumentation that provides our world with the tools to better understand our universe," says Weeks. "An example of this leadership is the fact that the U of L hosted the first and only SPIRE consortium meeting to be held in Canada last year."

The Canada Research Chairs program stands at the centre of a national strategy to make Canada one of the world's top countries in research and development.

In 2000, the Government of Canada created a permanent program to establish 2000 research professorships – Canada Research Chairs – in eligible degree-granting institutions across the country. The Canada Research Chairs program invests $300 million per year to attract and retain some of the world's most accomplished and promising minds.

"Our government is committed to attracting and retaining the world's best and brightest researchers, supporting innovation, creating jobs, and strengthening our economy," says Canada's Minister of State Gary Goodyear. "By investing in programs such as the Canada Research Chairs, we are fostering cutting-edge research and the generation of new innovations for the marketplace, for the benefit of Canadians."

The U of L is a comprehensive academic and research university as mandated by the Government of Alberta. Last year the U of L was named by Research Infosource as Canada's Research ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of the Year – Undergraduate Category.

Kovalchuk earns CIHR Chair

trevor.kenney — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 20:55:14 +0000

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge researcher Dr. Olga Kovalchuk is the recipient of a Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Chair dedicated to examining the effects occupational radiation exposure has on men and women working in nuclear industries.

Canada is home to one of the highest concentrations of nuclear activity in the world. Nearly 40,000 people work in Canada's nuclear industry, while 800,000 individuals work in nuclear sectors worldwide. The number of females working in these industries has increased over time, making this project much more critical.

The Chair, which falls under CIHR's Gender, Work and Health program, will examine whether men and women are affected differently in nuclear work environments, which includes the nuclear power industry, healthcare and research departments.

Dr. Kovalchuk's work will examine whether females are equally protected in these environments. Established radiation protection guidelines are historically based on how the male's body is affected.

"I will collaborate with researchers in Russia and we will analyze their nuclear industry cohort. The knowledge can be applied in Canada and all over the world," says Kovalchuk, whose work was inspired by her experience as a high school student in the Ukraine in 1986, while living only 600 kilometres from Chernobyl, the site of the worst nuclear accident in history.

This Chair will provide an exciting opportunity to develop an international collaborative network. The network will have research representation from Canada, USA, Russia and key knowledge-users including Defence Research and Development Canada, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, Health Canada and the Nuclear Information and Resource (NIRS - USA).

"The Chair will be an initiative that will have a global impact and will position Canada as a global leader in radiation and environmental health research and radiation protection research," says Kovalchuk.

The CIHR award is for $800,000 over five years.

Vice-President (Research) Dr. Dan Weeks says this funding exemplifies the important contribution that U of L researchers are making in improving the quality of life of Canadians.

"This type of research is representative of the impact U of L faculty members continue to make for the benefit of Canadians. Dr. Kovalchuk's work will benefit tremendously a segment of the workforce that faces particular risks," says Weeks. "The impact the U of L is making in health related areas grows every year."

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research is the Government of Canada's health research investment agency. CIHR's mission is to create new scientific knowledge and to enable its translation into improved health, more effective health services and products, and a strengthened Canadian health-care system.

Campaign surpasses goal

trevor.kenney — Fri, 29 Jun 2012 22:05:33 +0000

Music in the Making fundraising campaign surpasses $650,000

Elected representatives, funding partners and a handful of local arts community members got a close-up look at the new Community Arts Centre today.

With construction on time, on budget and now halfway to completion, the City of Lethbridge held a briefing and tour of the $20.7-million facility for federal, provincial and municipal officials.

Also present were local artists and representatives of the Allied Arts Council as well as the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Conservatory of Music, which will be a major tenant when the Community Arts Centre opens in May, 2013.

Support for the U of L Music Conservatory's move to the downtown location has been overwhelmingly positive, and is natural extension of an already-productive City/��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ partnership, according to U of L President Mike Mahon.

"The City of Lethbridge and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge have a long history of partnering together to improve the personal well-being of individuals and families, and to enhance the quality of life in local and regional communities," says Mahon. "We are excited to be a key tenant in the new Community Arts Centre as we work with other members of the southern Alberta community to improve access to the arts in our community."

Mahon says that community support was critical to the extremely successful conclusion of the Music in the Making fundraising campaign, launched last year to support the Conservatory's move downtown.

"We set a goal of $500,000, and I am pleased to say that we exceeded it by more than $150,000. Our volunteers and Lottie Austin and George Evelyn, who co-chaired this campaign, have good reason to be proud of the future opportunities their work will provide to current and future Conservatory students."

Funded by the Building Canada Fund – Community Components (BCF-CC) program, Municipal Sustainability Initiative (MSI), and the City of Lethbridge, the Community Arts Centre will serve as a local arts education hub and become the new off-campus home of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's music conservatory. In addition, an enhancement to the south-east entrance plaza area is being undertaken by the Rotary Club of Lethbridge.

"Today's tour highlights the Government of Canada's commitment to creating jobs, growth and long-term prosperity," said Jim Hillyer, Member of Parliament for Lethbridge, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification.

"Once completed, this project will further strengthen our city's creative community, while providing new opportunities for residents and visitors to experience Lethbridge's cultural attractions."

Speaker Series to debut at Galt

trevor.kenney — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 21:33:11 +0000

The Friends of the Galt Museum Society has selected an engaging lineup of local agricultural entrepreneurs for its new fundraiser speaker series to be held monthly at the Galt Museum & Archives as part of the Galt's Thursday evening program.

"Agricultural innovations have created quite a stir in southern Alberta," says Dr. Glenn Coulter, President of the Friends of the Galt, and Chair of the Speaker Series. "We are pleased to highlight these with our new speaker series, which also provides us another opportunity to support Galt Museum education initiatives."

The program was developed in consultation with a number of community organizations, including the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge. The first three speaker series events are as follows:

Thursday, Jan. 19

Coal Banks to Cow Manure: Is this Full Circle?

SPEAKER: Stefan Michalski, a consultant with ECB Enviro North America Inc., a bio-based co-generation facility being built in North Lethbridge.

Michaleski's discussion will focus on the conversion of manure and other biological by-products of agriculture into energy, such as electricity and hot water.

ECB Enviro North America Inc., founded in 2001, has access to European Bio-Energy technologies such as highly innovative biogas and biodiesel processes and to new Canadian Hydrolysis Technology.

It plans to develop, engineer, built and operate Bio-Energy facilities all over Canada and North America and initiate agro-industrial clustering, rural revitalization, alternative sustainable energy production opportunities and local employment.

Thursday, Feb. 16

Current and Future Status of Biofuels

SPEAKER: Jim Thacker, Director at Kyoto Fuels Corporation, formed in 2003 and located in Lethbridge.

The Corporation recently received a $31 million 6-year investment from the Government of Canada, allowing it to produce up to 66 million litres of biodiesel annually by converting vegetable or cooking oil or animal fat into biodiesel.

It intends to sell the product to diesel producers in Western Canada and the northwestern United States. The reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from biodiesel can be as much as 80 percent over regular diesel.

Thursday, March 15

Thebaine Poppy Innovation

SPEAKER: Glen Metzler, President, API Labs Inc. an early-stage pharmaceutical fine chemicals processing company establishing the groundwork to create a thebaine industry in Western Canada.

Glen Metzler has been involved in market development and research in Canada and internationally. He has worked with major companies in both the United States and Canada in product development and product launches and has an agricultural background.

Each program starts at 7:30 p.m. with networking opportunities, a presentation and then discussion. Tickets are priced at $20/person for each program and will be available at the door.

Championing the U of L mandate

trevor.kenney — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 20:57:30 +0000

By RICHARD WESTLUND

A key part of most successful government relations strategies is to identify and utilize champions for your cause. For federal initiatives, the
U of L has found a literal champion of its own.

The Deputy Minister ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Champion Program is an initiative housed in the Canada School of Public Service, and is aimed at strengthening linkages between the Government of Canada and Canadian universities.

Earlier this year, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge was granted membership into this program. Subsequently, Dr. James Ralston, the Comptroller General of Canada, was named as the U of L's ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Champion.

Ralston received his Bachelor of Commerce degree from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Alberta, his Master of Arts (Economics) from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Ottawa and a Doctor of Philosophy (Political Science) from Carleton ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ. Beginning his career with the Provincial Auditor of Alberta, he later joined a national accounting/consulting firm in Edmonton and Ottawa. He was appointed the Comptroller General of Canada after working for the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) for 15 years.

The role of a deputy minister champion is flexible. In speaking with my counterparts across Canada, it is clear that relationships between universities and deputy minister champions vary greatly and are unique to each institution. It is hoped that the relationship between Ralston and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge will create new opportunities for our students and faculty, such as stronger co-op arrangements between the
U of L and the federal government, the facilitation of interactions that link U of L research and teaching strengths with appropriate federal departments and continuous information sharing of university and government directions and priorities.

Ralston has been an eager and willing partner with the U of L from the outset of the champion program. He had already taken the time to tour the U of L and meet with a variety of folks from different parts of campus, including meetings with President Mike Mahon, Provost Andrew Hakin, the Career Resources Centre and our co-op programs office. He also toured the Alberta Water and Environmental Science Building, the Canadian Centre for Behavioral Neuroscience and the U of L Art Gallery.

Now that Ralston has an understanding of the programs offered and research conducted at the U of L, he is in a better position to identify links and opportunities between the federal government and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ.

Furthermore, he is in a better position to represent U of L interests and, when appropriate, facilitate and advise on effective strategies.

Richard Westlund is the Director of Government Relations at the U of L. In an effort to better inform different parts of our campus and external communities about the various government relations activities that occur at the U of L, he has started a blog. Visit it at blogs.ulethbridge.ca/government-relations

Japanese Earthquake / Tsunami Update

trevor.kenney — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 20:50:21 +0000

March 11, 2011
On Friday March 11, 2011, an 8.9 magnitude earthquake hit Japan.

This triggered 4 metre waves in Japan and tsunami warnings across the Pacific coastline, including British Columbia.

Hundreds of people are reported dead, and many more are injured or missing. The earthquake has caused fires and severe damage to buildings, leaving more than 4 million households without electricity.

The students traveling to Japan on ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge exchanges are accounted for and safe.
Four Faculty of Management students have been contacted, are in areas unaffected by the earthquake/tsunami, and are on their way to their host universities.

Students from Japan at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge have been contacted by staff at the International Centre for Students and at this time none of their immediate families have been affected.

Counselling services are available for those wishing to speak to someone about how this has affected them personally. They can be reached through this website: http://www.uleth.ca/counselling/

DONATIONS FOR RELIEF EFFORTS

Beginning next week, the Japanese students, working with staff from the International Centre for Students, will be launching a fundraising and awareness campaign to support relief efforts in Japan through two major charities -- Shelterbox International and the Canadian Red Cross.

Look for awareness displays on campus next week, locations TBA.

You can donate online to these organizations by visiting these websites:

Shelterbox

http://shelterboxcanada.org/

Red Cross

http://www.redcross.ca

The Government of Canada has information relating to the earthquake and tsunami at this website:

http://www.international.gc.ca/humanitarian-humanitaire/japan_earthquake_japon_seisme.aspx?lang=eng

Additional information will be posted as it becomes available.

Relevant Media links can be found here:

CBC: http://www.redcross.ca

CTV: http://www.ctv.ca/

Global TV: http://www.globaltv.com/

CNN: http://cnn.com

UNews - Government of Canada

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