In response to COVID-19, the incredible versatility of Canada’s colleges and institutes has been evident! Here’s some of resilient and creative ways we’ve seen colleges and institutes step up to support their communities:
Applied Research
- InsightScope is a software platform built entirely by Algonquin College students that dramatically accelerates the process of completing systematic reviews in healthcare. The platform is currently being used on four COVID-19 related projects.
- Algonquin College partners with the Ottawa Hospital on a new CanPRIME initiative to provide students with specialized training to develop, test and manufacture novel biotherapeutics.
- The Arts, Crafts & Technology Micro-manufacturing Centre in Inuvik is shifting its focus towards equipment that can be useful during the COVID-19 pandemic with help from the Aurora Research Institute at Aurora College.
- Jason Zanatta, President & CEO of Novo Textiles & BCIT alumnus is retooling his operations to make N95 respirators in response to the COVID-19 crisis.
- A BCIT Computing student wins hackathon with app that supports survivors of domestic abuse during COVID-19.
- A BCIT Mechanical Engineering alumnus Joshua Bradshaw developed a face shield to help frontline workers during COVID-19.
- A BCIT alumnus developed a portable ultrasound device using home-grown technology to screen for COVID-19.
- Working with their partners at AP Plastics and Island Health, Camosun College’s Camosun Innovates team designed a new face shield that could be 3D printed at a rate of 90 units per hour over their previous estimate of ten per day to meet growing demand.
- Camosun College loans portable x-ray unit to Island Health in the battle against COVID-19.
- Did you know that a research team from Camosun College designed and built a critical device to safely store and transport vials of the temperature-sensitive Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine?
- Deux enseignants du Cégep André-Laurendeau ont développé un instrument basé sur l’intelligence artificielle au service de la distanciation sociale.
- Le CEFIR du Cégep Édouard-Montpetit reçoit une subvention pour étudier les discours conspirationnistes autour de la COVID-19 et leur incidence chez les cégépiens.
- Cégep Édouard-Montpetit and its Centre technologique en aérospatiale (CTA) in November received funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation to pursue an applied research project that will support the air travel industry in responding to COVID-19?
- Le Cégep Édouard-Montpetit et son Centre technologique en aérospatiale réalisent un projet de recherche en développement de méthodes d’application de revêtements antimicrobiens et de désinfection de pièces utilisées dans les cabines d’avion.
- At Vestechpro, a research and innovation centre specializing in the development of intelligent clothing and textiles affiliated with the Cégep Marie-Victorin, the team is mobilizing its partners to develop new models for medical protective equipment and clothing that meet the needs of hospital workers and can effectively combat infection.
- Au Collège Boréal, la recherche appliquée se mobilise en faveur du secteur agroalimentaire du nord-est ontarien.
- College Boreal is working on an applied research project to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on the early childhood education sector staff.
- Le CNETE du Collège Shawinigan joue un rôle important dans la recherche sur la COVID-19. Il fournit depuis la mi-juillet des protéines du virus à des chercheurs québécois.
- Researchers at Conestoga College have received new funding for their work on a mobile software application that will help critical supply chain workers maintain physical distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Conestoga College 3D printers have been put to work to build certified pieces for personal protective equipment (PPE) in high demand.
- A Mechanical Engineering Technology professor at Durham College and his students are using the college’s six 3D printers to continuously produce face shields for local community organizations and hospitals in need of personal protective equipment.
- Fanshawe College conducted its annual applied research showcase day completely virtually this year amid concerns over COVID-19.
- Fanshawe College laboratory development can speed up validation of effectiveness for potential COVID-19 treatments.
- Fleming College collaborates with QuantWave Technologies on an intelligent wastewater sensing solution to predict COVID-19 outbreaks.
- Georgian College’s Research and Innovation team is using its skills to manufacture 600 temporary face shields for its long-term partner, the Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre.
- A Georgian College Practical Nursing student and her sister respond to challenge of designing a mask similar to an N95 mask, with a tight seal but at the same time, be comfortable enough to wear for hours without bruising.
- In addition to providing 3D printers to produce ventilator components, Humber College’s Faculty of Heath Sciences and Wellness is also exploring how its biotechnology labs could be converted to support COVID-19 testing.
- Justice Institute of British Columbia (JIBC) recently received funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation to improve the institute’s Praxis system? To meet its obligations under the Emergency Management Act and in response to challenges posed by COVID-19, the Public Health Agency of Canada is now using Praxis!
- A faculty member at Kwantlen Polytechnic’s Wilson School of Design is also designing and producing a face shield to support Canada’s efforts to fight COVID-19.
- The Lambton College Applied Research team is collaborating with Refined Fool Brewery to produce hand sanitizer for Blue Water Health.
- Lambton College’s biotechnology researchers have joined the race to find a vaccine for COVID-19.
- Lambton College’s Manufacturing Innovation Centre (LMIC) has been working with Bluewater Health to help address a shortage of PPE by using LMIC’s 3D printing capabilities.
- Mohawk College researcher shares how 3-D mapping and drones can create virtual access to spaces that are closed due to COVID-19 or for other safety reasons.
- Students at NBCC are working on an app to reduce the time people spend near each other when they’re shopping or obtaining services.
- Niagara College is producing 2,000 face shields at the Walker Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre using laser-cutting technology and computer design tools. The college’s teaching distillery has also moved to produce 70% alcohol disinfectant that can be used for hand sanitizer and surface wipes.
- Niagara College-led network for manufacturing innovation mobilizes in fight against COVID-19, including production of 37,000 face shields.
- Niagara College-led network for manufacturing innovation mobilizes in fight against COVID-19.
- In response to COVID-19, Red River College is offering to re-deploy our 3D printers, manufacturing equipment and labs to support the production of medical devices and supplies.
- Researchers from the University of Calgary and SAIT team up with Alberta Health Services, Alberta Precision Labs & the Stoney Nakoda Nations to deliver medical equipment & COVID-19 test kits to remote areas of the province with remotely piloted drones.
- Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) has been working on a project to link remote communities to necessary and urgent health services through the use of unmanned aerial vehicles?
- Saskatchewan Polytechnic holds annual Applied Research Student Showcase online.
- Sheridan College’s Centre for Advanced Manufacturing and Design Technologies is exploring how it can use its leading-edge manufacturing expertise and equipment, including 3D printers, a robotics lab and other advanced technologies to meet the need for medical equipment and supplies.
- Sheridan College has received three new Applied Research Rapid Response to COVID-19 research grants from the NSERC College and Community Innovation Program.
- During pandemic, St Clair College student researchers explore news ways to share data and make new discoveries without access to laboratory space.
- In collaboration with Automation Solutions Provider, and CenterLine Limited, a team from St. Clair College has developed a “simple little device” to assist with breathing in response to a potential shortage of ventilators during the COVID-19 crisis.
- Vancouver Island University student research assesses decrease in air pollution levels due to reduced car and plane traffic during pandemic.
Art
- Out of the isolation of COVID-19, a group of recent Algonquin College graduates have come together and organized the first-ever virtual international music conference.
- Les finissants en Photographie du Cégep de Matane exposeront virtuellement.
- Le CCNB lance un nouveau vernissage virtuel des oeuvres des finissants du programme de conception graphique.
- Le Collège la Cité lance une exposition virtuelle des finissants 2020 en design graphique du Collège : ATYPIK.
- Un coordonnateur du programme de design graphique au Collège la Cité, a eu la brillante idée de créer une animation qui nous rappelle la responsabilité sociale de chacun en ce temps de crise.
- Dawson College holds year-end showcase as immersive, online 3D gallery.
- A Mohawk College Music alumnus is promoting music lessons and social distancing during the COVID-19 outbreak by moving his instruction online.
- Okanagan College Animation students hosted a virtual industry night to showcase their work.
- A Vancouver Community College jewellery student donates profits from her small business to the local bank.
- Vancouver Island University graduating graphic design students are presenting their end-of-year show in website form in order to adhere to social distancing measures.
Community support – business
- Algonquin College launches free virtual training to support the business community during COVID-19.
- With the pandemic impacting many small businesses in Canada, BCIT Computer Systems Technology (CST) alumnus Rob Schulz created Shop First Nations as a platform to help Indigenous-owned businesses.
- Centennial College’s start-up accelerator ACCEL is committed to continuing to offer a plethora of online tools and resources for aspiring entrepreneurs during this challenging time.
- L’ITHQ développe une offre de services pour soutenir l’industrie de l’accueil dans la reprise de ses activités.
- With organizations of all sizes in our communities facing uncertainty in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, Okanagan College is stepping up with resources to help individuals and employers tap into professional development offerings.
- Elsewhere in Quebec, many institutions have taken advantage of funding through the government’s Programme d’actions concertées pour le maintien en emploi (Unified actions to maintain employment) plan to ensure that businesses are able to successfully rebound once COVID-19 measures are lifted.
- The Genesis Entrepreneurship Centre at St. Clair College is offering free virtual workshops for everyone in the community, ranging from communication and networking skills to helping individuals start and grow a business.
- Yukon College is launching a new program designed to support Yukon businesses of all sizes and stages during the global pandemic and beyond.
Community Support – equipment
- Alberta University of the Arts (formerly ACAD) uses 3D printing to help Alberta’s medical workers.
- Algonquin College has donated thousands of pieces of protective equipment and is loaning at least nine ventilators to help health care facilities prepare for the COVID-19 surge.
- The Arts, Crafts & Technology Micro-manufacturing Centre at Aurora College in Inuvik has produced door-handle openers and other items to protect people’s safety during COVID-19
- BCIT Health Sciences donating its medical supplies and equipment to hospitals.
- BCIT Mechanical Engineering alumnus Jamie Haakons and Interior Design alumna Keisha Go are giving back to the community by using their eight 3D printers to print out thousands of face shields and ear savers as free personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers.
- Working from home, a Cambrian College employee is making critical headbands for health-care workers.
- Centennial College School of Hospitality, Tourism and Culinary Arts has worked with Second Harvest to donate essential food supplies for distribution to those in need during this difficult time.
- Le CCNB-INNOV a contribué à la production de plusieurs milliers de litres d’assainisseur et plusieurs autres milliers de litres seront produits au cours des prochains mois.
- Prêt de ressources et d’équipements, conception et production d’attaches sur mesure pour les masques médicaux : le Cégep de Rimouski soutient les travailleurs de la santé.
- Des visières imprimées au Cégep de Trois-Rivières.
- College Boreal is supporting Sudbury’s hospital with equipment and staffing for expected patient surge due to COVID-19.
- Collège la Cité loans eight ventilators used in Respiratory Therapy classes to health services.
- Une entreprise de boissons non alcoolisées à base d’érable se lance dans la fabrication de désinfectant pour les mains, en collaboration avec Collège La Cité.
- Conestoga College grad company to help with respirator mask production.
- Conestoga College donating around $2M in equipment to local hospitals.
- Dalhousie Agricultural Campus researchers contribute much needed protective gear to healthcare workers on the front lines of COVID-19.
- Fleming College is working out of its downtown 3D Makerspace to create headbands and reinforcement pieces for faceshields.
- George Zhang, a 3rd year George Brown College culinary student, along with the help of his friends, gave back to Canada by donating $4,000 worth of masks to frontline workers.
- Georgian College loans hospital beds to Royal Victoria Regional Health Centre.
- John Abbott College has sent N95 masks, procedure masks, gloves, sanitizer, gowns & more to CIUSSS de l’Ouest-de-l’Ile to help on the front lines.
- Keyano College joins the effort to build 3D printed mask anchors for local healthcare workers treating those suffering from COVID-19. The College can produce 96 per day and will print as long as there is demand.
- In support of our community during this difficult time Lambton College donated 30 beds and other medical supplies (gloves, gowns, N-95 masks) from our brand-new NOVA Chemicals Health & Research Centre.
- To ease the shortage of ventilators during the COVID-19 pandemic, Langara College alumnus Corbin Lowe and his company OCA Link Tech have taken up the challenge to design, build, and distribute one million ventilators in 90 days.
- Loyalist College delivers personal protective equipment to Quinte Health Care.
- Mohawk College has partnered with Hamilton Health Sciences and a local manufacturing firm to mass produce face masks in response to #COVID19.
- NAIT lends ventilators in the fight against COVID-19.
- Niagara College sent more than 30,000 personal protective items to Niagara Health Foundation to help the region’s healthcare workers on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- To address the gap in access to high-speed internet in northern Alberta’s rural communities, Northern Lakes College introduces Drive-Up Wi-Fi for students.
- In the fight against COVID19, Parkland College is donating equipment from Nursing, Continuing Care Assistant, Primary Care Paramedic, Power Engineering lab, chemistry/biology lab.
- Red River College is proud to be donating 1,700 masks to help combat serious shortages of essential safety gear for front line staff.
- Using 3D printing and waterjet-cutting technology, a Sheridan College team is producing approximately 200 face shields a day for use by frontline health workers.
- Sheridan College and Coca-Cola partner on fabrication of protective cashier shields for Ontario small businesses.
- Sheridan College MakerBots are hard at work printing reusable “ear-savers” at the request of local hospitals to be used by health workers who are wearing masks throughout their shifts.
- Seneca College graduate converts distillery production to hand sanitizer to help hospitals, front-line emergencies workers, and major utility companies.
- Seneca College donates urgently needed supplies to local hospitals.
- St Lawrence College in Kingston donated three state-of-the-art ventilators to local hospitals, as well as PPE to local paramedics.
- University College of the North’s stock of personal protective equipment (PPE) is now in the capable hands of the health authority in The Pas and Thompson.
- Vancouver Community College donates 60,000 pieces of PPE to the fight against COVID-19.
- After hearing about local shortages of critical health supplies, Vancouver Island University faculty and employees from across campuses started making hand sanitizer to face mask components.
- Vancouver Island University chemistry technicians are reworking their daily routines to include preparing sanitizer solutions for their colleagues who remain on campus to provide essential services.
Community Support – facilities
- Bluewater Health and Lambton College prepare Emergency Field Hospital at Lambton College.
- Fleming College opens residence buildings to frontline healthcare professionals amid COVID-19 pandemic
Community support – food
- Camosun College Culinary Arts students prepare food hampers for those in need.
- Centennial College partners with House of Neighbours group to provide food and kitchen space to help prepare meals and food packages for communities in need during COVID-19 pandemic.
- Did you know that Conestoga College has developed a number of initiatives to support students, including the COVID-19 Student Relief Bursary and a grocery gift card program sponsored by Conestoga and CSI to alleviate food insecurities.
- L’Institut de tourisme et d’hôtellerie du Québec préparera 36 000 repas pour soutenir le réseau des banques alimentaires.
- Fanshawe College is contributing its leading-edge facilities and scientific expertise in the fight to halt the COVID-19 pandemic
- Lambton College students and staff have been busy working to ensure the health and safety of those in need. Working in partnership with the Inn of the Good Shepherd a student-led city food drive is underway.
- Loyalist College is strengthening its commitment to student food security by launching an online store for its Student Food Cupboard that makes healthy, nutritious food accessible to students who need it most.
- Loyalist College Culinary faculty and students support food security efforts in Prince Edward County.
- NAIT launches virtual cooking classes in time for Thanksgiving.
- New Brunswick Community College (NBCC), food donation program for seniors.
- NSCC Culinary Management student Joan Godsey is making to-go meals for the 300 commercial drivers of Eassons Transport Group in Kentville, NS, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Vancouver Community College has opened its downtown kitchens as a meal-prep and distribution hub for those in Vancouver with barriers to food security during COVID-19.
Community Support – skills for healthcare facilities
- Pawan Zaraich, a BCIT Specialty Nursing alum & instructor, has picked up shifts as an ER nurse at Surrey Memorial Hospital to help fight COVID-19.
- Conestoga College Personal Support Worker students step up during pandemic.
- Le Cégep de Shawinigan tient à souligner la contribution de ses étudiants du domaine de la santé à la lutte contre la COVID-19
- Afin de contribuer à la lutte contre la COVID-19, 38 finissantes et finissants en Soins infirmiers du Cégep de Trois-Rivières seront diplômés plus tôt que prévu.
- Plus de 40 étudiants en soins infirmiers au Collège Dawson terminent leur formation d’avance afin de contribuer dès maintenant au système de santé.
- 117 respiratory therapy students are being called into action across Ontario to help run ventilators, including a group from College La Cite.
- Fanshawe College Respiratory Therapy program and the CRTO have worked together to allow the College’s 43 third-year students to begin putting their skills to work immediately during the #COVID-19 pandemic.
- Instructors and students at Kwantlen U are doing their small part to help ease the pain of healthcare workers at a local hospital
- Nearly 20 Loyalist College Paramedic students, who completed their program requirements, graduated early to respond to Ontario’s paramedic shortage amid the COVID19 pandemic.
- Okanagan College health care students step up during time of crisis.
- RRC is proud to be providing 14 students from our Health Information Management program to help with vital record keeping and tracking the spread of COVID-19.
- Respiratory Therapy students called into action at St Clair College.
Community Support – training
- Le Collège Ahuntsic lance un projet pilote de pédagogie en plein air au cœur du Boisé-de-Saint-Sulpice, site écologique important situé à quelques pas du Collège.
- A mentorship program for Early Learning and Child Care students at Aurora College means that land-based learning and outdoor instruction can continue in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- BCIT launches fast-track education course to support COVID-19 healthcare workers.
- Le Cégep Édouard-Montpetit offre une formation sur mesure pour les travailleurs de la santé par les professeures en Soins infirmiers.
- Afin de répondre au manque de personnel dans les établissements de santé en ces temps de pandémie, le Cégep Édouard-Montpetit lance une nouvelle formation qui s’adresse aux nutritionnistes, ergothérapeutes, chiropraticiens et physiothérapeutes.
- Les cégeps de Montréal lancent 27 formations courtes pour aider les personnes sans emploi.
- College la Cité, en collaboration avec la station de radio 104,7 FM et le journal Le Droit, vous offre une série de webinaires gratuits portant sur les affaires, la santé et la famille.
- Canadore College is offering course modules at no cost as a way of saying thank you to the community for doing its part to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Georgian College introduces new micro-credential programs to quickly retrain people for the automotive and advanced manufacturing sectors.
- Humber College, BCIT, and NSCC are equipping graduates for a pandemic-proof career, whether they are embarking on their first postsecondary program or returning to school to upgrade or learn new skills.
- Northern Lakes College joins many of its fellow post-secondary institutions and offering free or discounted training to help serve communities.
- A brand-new micro-credential course from Red River College is designed to train health care workers or students to collect the nasal swabs used to test for the virus.
- Red River College is playing a significant role in Manitoba’s pandemic response through the development and deployment of micro-credentials.
- Saskatchewan Polytechnic launches new School of Continuing Education allowing for retraining and upskilling for those whose jobs have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Community Support – well being
- Alberta’s colleges give back to their communities during time of need.
- College of the North Atlantic offers free wellness supports to the public. Series of community education courses aimed at mental, physical health during pandemic.
- To support those living and working in long-term care homes, Conestoga’s Schlegel Centre for Advancing Seniors Care is launching a new online tool that offers a comprehensive collection of COVID-19 resources!
- Durham College receives funding to help young people who are experiencing social isolation.
- Loyalist College practical nursing student puts community safety first.
- Red River College is joining the COVID Kindness Movement by sharing acts of kindness that students, staff, and faculty experience on campus.
- Sheridan College employees perform double duty to support students and communities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Information Management
- A recent grad of BCIT’s Computer Systems Technology in Could Computing program created a real-time COVID-19 outbreak tracker to make it easier for people to get up-to-date information broken down by province and country.
- A teacher at Dawson College has spent some of his time in self-isolation at home developing a live, interactive data visualization of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Online learning
- Algonquin College is launching a series of free virtual training opportunities ranging in length from two to four days to support the local business community. Courses include Business Analysis in an Agile Environment, Project Management, and Change Management.
- BCIT has created an online, self-directed fast-track education course to help frontline registered nurses and healthcare providers acquire the focused knowledge they need to provide support to patients with COVID-19.
- Bow Valley College teamed up with Microsoft to host five webinars to support transitions to online, including Designing Applied Learning, Designing Assessment, How to Move From Instruction to Facilitation, Accessibility and Inclusion, and How to Start up a Course in 5 steps.
- Camosun College Automotive Service Technician Program leaders spring to action to ensure that their students could successfully complete the term and to provide hands-on training creativity from a safe social distance.
- Interesting spin – How Camosun College’s Automotive Department is bringing applied training online.
- As a way of saying thank you to community members for doing their part to limit the spread of COVID-19, Canadore College is offering modules from six general education courses free online on topics ranging from astronomy to film and world culture.
- Le Cégep André-Laurendeau lance de nouvelles formations en compétences numériques, communication organisationnelle, langues, télétravail et plus encore.
- Dans le contexte de la pandémie de la COVID-19, le Cégep à distance et FADIO rendent disponible ce répertoire destiné aux personnes enseignantes et au personnel professionnel en éducation.
- Le programme Techniques de comptabilité et gestion au Cégep de la Gaspésie et des Îles offert en présence, à distance ou en mode hybride dès l’automne.
- While the Cégep de Rimouski is offering 35 new training opportunities for businesses including strategies in remote working, filesharing and online communications and language improvement classes.
- Cet échange avec le directeur général du Cégep John Abbott College détaille comment le collège a transformé en réalité virtuelle l’enseignement supérieur traditionnel d’un des plus grands collèges de la province.
- Le Cégep de Sherbrooke est en mode action et a mis en place 14 comités qui auront pour rôle d’identifier des enjeux et de formuler des recommandations en vue de la prochaine rentrée scolaire.
- Collège Boréal launches three online sessions on professional integration for newcomers to Canada.
- Within a week, Collège communautaire de Nouveau-Brunswick shared that it had converted 85 of its programs to online formats that would allow 2,000 students to continue learning despite campus closures.
- The Collège de Maisonneuve shared that it is improved online course offerings through the program, developing short training opportunities in online project management and team coordination, human resources, and managing a culture of diversity in the workplace.
- Collège de Rosemont, in Montreal, quickly formed a new partnership with Insertech, a local tech company, to ensure that students have the equipment they need to successfully continue their studies at home.
- Collège La Cité, in collaboration with a local radio station and the newspaper Le Droit is offering a series of free public webinars on subjects like business, health, and family, and has developed a resources website designed for students adapting to distance learning during this time.
- In just four days, College of the North Atlantic implemented an extensive Academic Programs Continuity Plan to move 181 of 205 programs online.
- The College of the North Atlantic is offering some great personal development courses – worth checking out, for you or to pass on to your parents, friends, or family!
- Fleming College adapts to online delivery, offering five modified programs beginning May 19.
- George Brown College moves peer tutoring online for those needing support with English, math, accounting, and study skills.
- Lambton College launches a series of free self-paced, competency-based online mini-courses., or “eBits” for professional growth and self-development in a post-pandemic world!
- The Centre for Teaching, Learning, and Innovation at Lethbridge College is offering its first, freely available open course on facilitating online learning for instructors, aiming to address challenges of online student retention and satisfaction and offer practical strategies for online classrooms.
- Lethbridge College Early Childhood Education faculty and students are turning to unique video software to fulfill practical teaching requirements in the wake of school closures.
- North Island College offers a unique opportunity for mariners to upgrade their skills in an online format.
- NorQuest College to switch to 100% online learning at two campuses.
- NVIT shares that faculty are preparing to teach in hybrid environments and student services are exploring virtual appointments and tutoring services!
- Okanagan College prof leads the way in developing new open educational resources.
- Red River College is working on shifting its trades and technology programs online through creative ways of teaching remotely, including simulated CNC milling and customized on-camera training.
- Recognizing difficulties posed by new online teaching methods, Red River College launches new grading options for students.
- While many Saskatchewan Polytechnic programs worked quickly to shift to online delivery due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Leadership Skills program never skipped a beat.
- Saskatchewan Polytechnic finds a unique way for Culinary Arts students to learn by cooking at home and emailing pictures of the meals they prepared.
- Selkirk College invites students to explore new pathways in the School of University Arts & Sciences and the School of Academic Upgrading as part of the college’s distance learning options starting on May 4.
- Sheridan College’s Inclusive Communities team has launched a webinar series looking specifically at ways to support Indigenous students who may be disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in their transitions to online learning.
- Instructors in Sheridan College’s Bachelor of Illustration program recently developed a method to reinvent life drawing classes remotely?
- Sheridan College has retooled, rethought and reorganized nearly 3,000 courses and ensured they could be delivered remotely.
- St Lawrence College classes are being delivered through a combination of online and digital simulations and collaborations until August.
- Hands-on learning is important for culinary students; however, VCC instructors are finding ways to adapt programming to new realities!
- In the Globe and Mail, read how different institutions have responded to challenges posed by COVID19 and adapted programs for the digital age.
Student support – finance
- Le Cégep de Matane a versé près de 64 000 $ en aide financière à ses étudiants dans le cadre du Programme d’aide financière spécial qu’il a mis en place le 24 mars dernier
- Coast Mountain College announces $40,000 in emergency relief for students.
- En cette période de grands bouleversements, le Collège André-Grasset annonce la mise en place d’un fonds d’urgence d’aide aux étudiants à hauteur de 20 000$.
- En collaboration avec l’Association des étudiantes et des étudiants de Montmorency (AGEM), la Fondation du Collège Montmorency offre une aide aux étudiants à faible revenu à se procurer un ordinateur gratuitement afin de leur permettre de poursuivre leur formation à distance.
- College of New Caledonia partners with Mastercard Foundation to enable Indigenous communities and young people to respond to the short-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- College of the North Atlantic launches a COVID-19 Student Relief Fund along with its affinity partner, TD Meloche Monnex.
- A number of initiatives have been established to help alleviate Conestoga College students’ financial stress, including a relief bursary that will provide assistance to both domestic and international students
- Douglas College emergency fund aims for $1 million to help students in need.
- In response to the financial burden facing students during the COVID-19 pandemic, Durham College has established an emergency bursary fund, offering more than $1.5 million in financial aid.
- Fleming College announces COVID-19 Emergency Fund to support students in need of financial relief.
- George Brown College and its Student Association are partnering to bring much needed financial support to students affected by COVID-19.
- Humber College Student Union is responding to COVID-19 related financial hardship by creating a $250,000 emergency relief fund. Humber supported the fund by combining the new funding with existing bursary funds.
- Lethbridge College launches Ready to Rise campaign bringing the community together to support student mental health and wellness as well as provide financial support.
- Loyalist College offers $1 million in student support bursaries to offset effects of COVID-19.
- Northern College continues to Provide Support to Those Impacted by Covid-19.
- Okanagan College offers virtual info sessions, online summer sessions, $5K tuition giveaway to help ease stress for potential students.
- In light of global pandemic, Saskatchewan Polytechnic commits to zero per cent tuition increase in 2020-21.
- At Vancouver Island University, students are struggling with keeping their families safe and healthy due to the unprecedented pandemic. VIU has partnered with VIU Student Union to raise $250k for Emergency Bursaries and needs your help to raise another $100k.
- Thanks to United Way Yukon, 48 Yukon College students have received $25 grocery gift cards to assist them during the COVID-19 pandemic response!
Student support – housing
- Loyalist College is one of a number of institutions that have taken measures to house student residents off-campus to protect their health during COVID-19.
- Loyalist College is helping find accommodations in local hotels and providing funding for food and other necessities for nearly 200 international students following campus residence closures related to COVID-19.
Student support – mental health and community
- Algonquin College is supporting students by sharing 10 tips on how to cope with stress and anxiety.
- BCIT releases Mental Health At Home service to provide students with tips, resources and one-to-one sessions.
- In the Globe and Mail, Camosun College, Langara College, Centennial College, and NSCC share strategies for supporting international students during a pandemic.
- Le Cégep John Abbott College lance une nouvelle ressource de santé mentale disponible 24 heures sur 24, 7 jours sur 7 et 365 jours par année.
- Cégep de Rimouski and Cégep de Chicoutimi have partnered with Optania, a technology firm in the Saguenay region, to develop two innovative artificial intelligence tools supporting the academic success and psychosocial health of their students?
- Conestoga College Student Engagement Services is offering workshops to help students stay social connected during distancing efforts.
- PASS (Peer Assisted Study Sessions) is a free academic support program from Humber College for high-risk courses that allows students to connect with peer tutors from the same program.
- Take a look at these tips put together by Okanagan College Counselling Services!
- Amazing work by RRC to ensure that Indigenous students are supported during COVID19.
- Red River College’s Indigenous Student Supports quickly got to work ensuring that their Indigenous students were supported during this time, organizing deliveries of computers and emergency food hampers, and are also preparing traditional medicines such as sage and cedar so students can smudge at home.
- Saskatchewan Polytechnic students can book online video appointments with counsellors, including Indigenous counsellors and accessibility counsellors, on the institutions student wellness webpage.
Student support – resources for online training
- Responding to challenges posed by #COVID19: “Alberta’s colleges took exceptional steps to ensure students met educational outcomes, had access to technology, had needed supports in place and were engaged in their learning.”
- Le Cégep de Chicoutimi propose aux élèves du secondaire de vivre une expérience liée à un programme d’études à partir de la maison avec la nouvelle « Boîte CCHIC, ton Cégep pour emporter ».
- Le Cégep de Sept-Îles met en place une Brigade technopédagogique afin d’offrir un soutien aux enseignantes et enseignants.
- Site de ressources conçu pour les étudiants en apprentissage à distance durant cette période exceptionnelle au Collège La Cité.
- To address the gap in access to high-speed internet in northern Alberta’s rural communities, Northern Lakes College introduces Drive-Up Wi-Fi for students.
- Saskatchewan Polytechnic helps students with technology investments during challenging times.
- Sheridan College’s Inclusive Communities team has launched a webinar series looking specifically at ways to support Indigenous students who may be disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in their transitions to online learning.
- Sheridan College launches new online campus hub to welcome over 7,000 students and position them for success.
- Sheridan College has launched an innovative program that provides students with various remote and virtual internship options and helps community partners resolve pandemic-related issues.
Other
Cybersecurity
- A Humber College professor and his students are joining the world-wide fight against #COVID19 related cyber threats.
Online graduation ceremony
- BCIT Security Systems Technician (SST) program’s online virtual celebration for the graduating SST students: (BCIT’s first-ever online unofficial graduation).
- Portage College is hosting a virtual convocation this year where students can celebrate their accomplishments with fellow peers, faculty and staff.
- Vancouver Island University hosts virtual event to recognize Indigenous graduates during COVID-19.
Journalism
- Sheridan College journalism students participate in Pandemic Diaries project.