UNews - Canada's Research ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of the Year

Weeks reappointed with five-year term

trevor.kenney — Fri, 17 May 2013 15:03:51 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge Board of Governors today reappointed Dr. Daniel J. Weeks to a second five-year term as the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ's research vice president. The Board of Governors, as well as the review committee struck to make a recommendation to the Board, unanimously supported Weeks's reappointment.

"The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge continues to evolve as one of Canada's leading comprehensive research and teaching universities of its size," says ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge President Dr. Mike Mahon. "Dr. Weeks has played a significant role in promoting and supporting the many research strengths in all of our faculties and has helped position the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ for much future success."

In the past five years, the U of L introduced its first comprehensive research plan, has undertaken a renewed effort to focus its international activities and was recently named Canada's Research ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of the Year (Undergraduate Category) by Research Infosource.

Weeks was also instrumental in the creation of the Association of Canadian Comprehensive Research Universities (ACCRU) - a new strategic partnership amongst small and medium-sized universities from across Canada that aims to improve collaboration amongst researchers and programs, allow universities to share best practices and enable institutions to respond to system-wide developments in a co-ordinated and timely fashion.

Originally from Sault Ste. Marie, Ont., Weeks is a cognitive psychologist and an internationally recognized expert on human motor control. He also has a research program focused on skill acquisition in persons with Down Syndrome.

Weeks has pioneered new brain imaging techniques to determine the impact of cerebral specialization and information processing on health and behaviour, among other projects. He previously served as a professor and Chair of the Department of Psychology at Simon Fraser ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, where he also operated the PsychoMotor Behaviour Laboratory.

��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ welcomes Canada-Wide Science Fair participants, organizers

trevor.kenney — Fri, 10 May 2013 22:06:56 +0000

The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge is excited to welcome the country's top young scientists to campus, May 11 to May 18, as the 52nd annual Canada-Wide Science Fair (CWSF) 2013 comes to Lethbridge.

Approximately 1,100 students, chaperones, judges, sponsors and dignitaries are expected to attend CWSF 2013, an event that will award close to $1 million in cash, prizes and scholarships to the best students.

There are public viewing days scheduled, along with school visits, and many innovative, hands-on activities designed for the science fair participants that have been created and organised by undergraduate and graduate students and faculty members at the U of L, Lethbridge College, and other partner groups throughout the city and region.

Featuring the top 400 science projects by students from Grades 7 to 12 in the country, CWSF 2013 is a showcase of Canada's top young scientific minds.

"As Canada's Research ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of the Year 2012 (undergraduate category), we are uniquely suited to host this event and could not be more excited to open our doors to these bright young scientists," says ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge President, Dr. Mike Mahon.

As the host venue, the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge's faculty, staff and students will play a major role in the success of CWSF 2013.

A total of 78 of the Fair's 300-plus judges are U of L faculty and staff members, while more than 150 people from throughout the community are acting as volunteers in helping to create a lifelong memorable experience for the participants and their families.

In addition to the display and judging of projects, CWSF 2013 offers participants exciting opportunities to experience all that the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and southern Alberta has to offer.

As well, the fair provides local area school children the chance to view and interact with the projects on display as over 2,700 children will visit the U of L through school tours.

Discovery Day, Monday, May 13, is an opportunity for the finalists and delegates attending the CWSF to learn about the exciting multidisciplinary research activities at the U of L.

From 1:30 to 5 p.m., participants will be able to choose two activities from a total of 25 being offered that showcase everything from physics, chemistry and biochemistry to new media, fine arts and neuroscience.

"We're pleased to be able to show off some of the research activities that are taking place here at the U of L every day and in a variety of disciplines," says Mahon. "We expect this will give our guests a real taste of the student experience here at the U of L and what makes this Alberta's Destination ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ."

Throughout the week, the general public is encouraged to view the projects on display in the 1st Choice Savings Centre Gymnasium. Public viewing times are available Sunday, Monday, Thursday and Friday and are listed below.

Public Viewing Times (1st Choice Savings Centre for Sport and Wellness Gymnasium)
Free admission / Free Parking in Lot E

Sunday, May 12 -- 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Monday, May 13 -- 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Thursday, May 16 -- 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Friday, May 17 -- 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Board Chair message, ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ budget and letter of expectation

trevor.kenney — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 19:06:24 +0000

On Mar. 7, the Government of Alberta introduced the 2013-14 provincial budget. By now, many in our community will have read or heard of the financial impact this budget will have on the two post-secondary institutions in our city – Lethbridge College and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge. At the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ alone, this financial impact is a reduction of $11.9 million for this coming year and for every year that follows.

Having served as Chair of the Board of Governors for Lethbridge College and now as Chair of the Board of Governors of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, and as a graduate of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, I've been afforded the opportunity to witness the quality teaching and research conducted at these institutions. I have seen and experienced the dedication and commitment of the faculty and staff to students in all programs and their devotion to their respective fields of teaching, research and creative exploration. I, like many thousands in our community, enjoy the fine arts productions, and the continuing education offerings. I cheer for the Kodiak and Pronghorn athletic programs, I use the facilities regularly, I attend the lectures and am grateful for the unique benefits afforded to Lethbridge by having two outstanding post-secondary institutions in our hometown – a rarity in Canada for any city of our size. I am also concerned of the impact these reductions and proposed changes to the post-secondary education system in our province will have on our ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and College.

The financial constraints being imposed on both the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and College are significant and given the role both institutions play in our city, they will be felt well beyond the walls of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and College. As significant are the concerns raised by the Letters of Expectation presented to each of the 26 post-secondary institutions in Alberta. The Letters are still in draft form and I remain hopeful that they will accomplish what both the Premier and Minister of Enterprise and Advanced Education have suggested - that our Universities and Colleges will comprise a world class post-secondary system renowned for its contributions to all elements of our society and a system that prepares students to be the citizens and leaders of tomorrow. While there is always room for improvement and greater efficiency, I would argue that we are already well on our way to accomplishing this vision for our system.

There is much public speculation about the responsiveness of Alberta institutions to the needs of students and the needs of employers. Both the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and College are leaders in the province when it comes to collaboration and accessibility. It was the vision of successive Lethbridge MLA's John Gogo and Clint Dunford that created the concept of Campus Alberta. In turn, it was the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge and Lethbridge College that created the standard for easy and seamless transfer for students in programs like Nursing and now in Management. The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ shares a campus with Concordia ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ College in Edmonton and early next month will celebrate a partnership with Bow Valley College, Athabasca ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and Olds College in downtown Calgary that truly is expressive of what the Campus Alberta concept can and should be.

As for responsiveness to the needs of employers, I can speak from personal experience that my ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ education prepared me well for my career and it prepared me well to be an active and engaged contributor to my community. Personal passion and curiosity are hallmarks of the most successful people in our society. As such, the education a student receives during their post-secondary experience at times will be targeted specifically to a particular job but should also be reflective and preparatory of the long and varied career the individual has before them. Given this, there is a significant role for both the College and the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ in the creation of the workforce for our province and there is a significant role for all of the academic programs offered as it is these programs that enable individuals to pursue their personal passions and curiosity.

The Board of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ is incredibly diligent and committed to the fiduciary responsibilities assigned to it and the members take seriously the stewardship role that is imparted to them when they accept the volunteer role of Board member. I know from experience that the College Board has the same level of commitment. Any suggestion that there is wastefulness or "fat" at either school is false. I know the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ operates very cost-effectively because our Board demands it of the administration. The resources of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ are specifically targeted to the areas that are of greatest importance – the students and the programs. National recognition bestowed on the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ speaks to this. Maclean's consistently ranks the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge very high and most recently placed the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ 3rd nationally. Research Infosource recognized the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ as Canada's Research ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of the Year – Undergraduate Category this year. These are significant accomplishments and illustrate clearly the quality of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ we have in our community. They also display a momentum that the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ has created and it is this momentum that I am hopeful will not be lost as a result of our current challenge. This is a ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ we should be proud of not only for its accomplishments but because it is our ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ - born of our community and fought for diligently by our civic, business and community leaders in the 1960's.

I am hopeful that the outcome of the current provincial dialogue will not diminish the quality or reputations of our ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ and College. We owe that to those who helped create these institutions and more importantly, we owe that to those who have yet to experience these great institutions.

Sincerely,

Gord Jong
Chair, Board of Governors
The ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge

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.

UNews - Canada's Research ��Ѹ�����Դ���߿�Ƭ of the Year

Weeks reappointed with five-year term

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��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ welcomes Canada-Wide Science Fair participants, organizers

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