U of W introduces Youth in Care tuition waiver

The University of Winnipeg is set to offer a Youth in Care Tuition Waiver program starting in September 2012. Young people who have grown up in care homes under the child welfare system will now be given the chance to attend the university without worrying about debt. The program, believed to be the first of its kind in Manitoba, will start as a pilot project in the fall. Ten students will be supported with free tuition, which the university will cover from its Opportunity Fund. Food and housing costs will be paid by the Province of Manitoba Authorities. “I want all our children to be able to look forward to a future full of opportunities. With this initiative the University of Winnipeg is setting an important example of looking past hardship to the potential in each young person,” said Children and Youth Opportunities Minister Kevin Chief.

Dr. James Currie named new Dean of Science

Longtime faculty member Dr. James Currie has been appointed the new dean of science.  Curried joined the faculty in 1988 and during his time at the university has held a strong academic record, worked as the chair of the mathematics and statistics department, and most recently as served as associate dean of science. “This is an exciting time to be studying science at the University of Winnipeg, with our state-of-the art Richardson College for the Environment and Science Complex attracting world-class faculty and students at both the undergraduate and graduate level,” university president Lloyd Axworthy said in a release.

Canada awards and renews research chairs

The federal government has selected the University of Winnipeg to house a new Canada Research Chair in Subatomic Physics, while renewing a second chair devoted to exploring science learning in indigenous settings. The new Canada Research Chair in Fundamental Symmetries in Subatomic Physics was given to Dr. Jeffery Martin and consists of $200,000 per year for seven years. Dr. Dawn Sutherland, Research Chair in Science Education and Cultural Contexts, was renewed for a stretch of five years and consists of $100,000 per year. Both researchers are highly regarded within their fields and have backgrounds laden with pertinent research and collaborative efforts, inside and outside Canada. U of W now has five Canada research chairs.

Alumni association calls for nominations

The University of Winnipeg Alumni Association is now accepting nominations for distinguished alumni that have made an impact in their field and their community. Each year the association honours two alumni at the spring and fall convocation ceremonies, recognizing the impact these people have made on others at a local, national and international level. Past recipients include Winnipeg filmmaker Guy Maddin, children’s entertainer Fred Penner and many more. A speaker’s series is also being launched. The first speaker, Winnipeg Free Press editor Margo Goodhand, was one of last year’s award recipients.  For more information, email [email protected] or call 204-988-7118.

Published in Volume 66, Number 24 of The Uniter (March 21, 2012)