Eco-Kids score big with $25,000 donation

The University of Winnipeg Eco-Kids summer camp scored a $25,000 donation from the Winnipeg Jets True North Foundation. “U of W’s work with inner-city youth and education programs like the U of W Eco-Kids summer camp mirrors the initiatives we support that provide positive programming for children and youth and positively impact our community as a whole,” said Dwayne Green, executive director of the Winnipeg Jets True North Foundation. The popular camp began in 2007 and has since been attended by more than 5,000 children from 35 inner-city schools, participating in different environmental activities that focus on indigenous science. The free camp started as part of the U of W’s neighbourhood outreach initiative and has since worked to create a connection between the campus and the community.

Global College gets a new acting director

In June, the University of Winnipeg’s master’s in development practice program welcomed Dr. Jerry Buckland as acting director. After working as a professor in the international development studies program at Menno Simons College, Buckland replaced Dr. Julie Pelletier who has stepped down as the MDP director in order to focus on her numerous other responsibilities on campus. This two-year master’s program, with a focus on indigenous development, is the only program of its kind in the world. During its inaugural year, 15 students with backgrounds from Kenya to Thailand, and South Sudan to Canada were enrolled in the program through online “global classrooms.” Students who completed their first year are now working on practicums in Canada and internationally.

U of W, Winnipeg Technical College take on computer hackers

In a world increasingly run and regulated by computers, there are bad hackers and good hackers. The U of W and the Winnipeg Technical College have joined forces and are now offering a special one-year network security diploma program in order to train people to hack for the right reasons. The program, which began this September, is 12 months full time and combines hands-on practical learning with theory. Students are trained in various protocols, network standards, designs and security solutions.

Business faculty receives $25,000 gift

Accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) recently donated $25,000 to the university business and economics faculty. PwC is one of the “big four” accounting firms who work with organizations and individuals with tax, consulting and deals services. “U of W is grateful for PwC’s generous gift, which is an investment in the university’s future and the revitalization of downtown Winnipeg,” said university president Lloyd Axworthy. “It is also an investment in the promise of our business and economics leaders of tomorrow.” On June 6, room 3BC21 in the Buhler Centre, which overlooks the rooftop patio, was renamed the PwC Student Lounge.

University opts out of copyright clearance service agreement

On May 22, the University of Winnipeg opted out of its copyright clearance service agreement with Access Copyright and inaugurated its very own copyright procedures and policies unit on campus. Copyright procedures and policies at the university are now administered by the dean of library services and the university’s library staff. The university created its own copyright unit over budgetary concerns, redundancy issues and the protection of privacy and academic freedom. “By investing our resources here at home we are confident we can find the right balance that will protect copyrighted materials while allowing us to maintain our decision-making autonomy as a university,” university president Lloyd Axworthy said in regards to the switch.