The College Dispatch - A Colleges Ontario News Update - October 4
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The College Dispatch
On October 4, 2021, Colleges Ontario released a news update to share upcoming events and opportunities.
The Ontario government is being urged to allow colleges to expand their range of career-focused degree programs.
Colleges pursue expansion of degree programs
Campaign highlights support from public and employers
Ontario's colleges are engaged in a public awareness campaign to press the provincial government to approve the expansion of career-focused degree programs at colleges. Polling research released last week showed about 70 per cent of Ontarians support the proposal to allow colleges to offer three-year degrees and over half of Ontarians endorsed the creation of master's degree programs at colleges in specialized areas. Colleges will also be promoting the strong support from employers and student groups.
Ojibwe author Tanya Talaga to speak at conference
Higher Education Summit runs Nov. 28 and 29
Tanya Talaga, the Globe and Mail columnist and Ojibwe author, has joined the lineup of featured speakers appearing at the 2021 Higher Education Summit in November. Talaga is the author of the national bestseller All Our Relations and the 2017 prize-winning bestseller, Seven Fallen Feathers, which examined how seven Indigenous high school students in Thunder Bay died over a span of 11 years. Other featured speakers this year include Toronto Star political columnist Chantal Hébert and futurist and author Martin Ford. The 2021 Higher Education Summit is an in-person event that runs Nov. 28 and 29 at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel. More information and registration details will be announced soon.
Judges select 2021 Premier's Awards recipients
Online awards ceremony takes place Nov. 18
The selection panel for the 2021 Premier's Awards met last week to choose this year's recipients. There have been 126 alumni nominated for this year's awards and the recipients will be announced Nov. 18 through an online ceremony. Popular comedian and TV host James Cunningham will return to host the event. Details on how to register will be announced soon.
"Smart world" ad campaign gets extended fall run
Promoting the "smart" careers available to college graduates
The college sector's long-term marketing campaign returns this month with an extended fall run for the current ads. The ads, which promote college programs as a "smart" choice that lead to careers in a "smart world" of smartphones, smart watches and smart homes, begin running today on TV, radio and on social media platforms. Following a pause in the campaign due to the global pandemic, the fall 2021 flight will run for six weeks rather than the usual four weeks. Videos of the ads that are running on TV and online can be seen on YouTube (Smart world 1 and Smart world 2).
Throne speech kicks off fall session at Queen's Park
Issues to include labour shortages and child care
The Ontario legislature begins its fall session with a throne speech today (Oct. 4) by Lt.-Gov. Elizabeth Dowdeswell highlighting the government's priorities. The fall session is expected to address issues such as labour shortages and enhanced support for child care. There will also be a fall economic statement, likely in November. The political parties are currently stepping up their fundraising efforts in advance of the next provincial election on June 2.
Academic employees' bargaining enters mediation
Mediator imposes communications blackout
The contract negotiations between the College Employer Council and the Ontario Public Service Employees Union for full-time and partial-load academic employees have gone into mediation. Mediator Brian Keller has imposed a total communications blackout on the negotiations. The current contract ended Sept. 30.