PitchIt competition – Thursday, November 23rd at 4:00 PM

UVic’s 90-second elevator PitchIt competition is coming up on Thursday, November 23rd at 4:00 PM. The top five pitches will walk away with cash prizes, and the first-place winner can seize up to $1000!, and it is an excellent opportunity to practice pitching and build your network. Applications are due on Monday, November 20th, at 4:00 PM.

For more details and how to participate, please visit: https://www.uvic.ca/innovation/services/competitions/pitchit/index.php

Invitation to the organizing committee for Water & Environment Student Talks 2024

Calling all students interested in water and environmental research,

We are currently recruiting students to join the organizing committee for the upcoming Water & Environment Student Talks Conference (WEST-Con) 2024.

WEST-Con is an interdisciplinary conference organized by students for students working within the fields of water and environment. In the past two years, WEST-Con was held in a virtual/hybrid format to facilitate student participation nationally and internationally. This format has seen over 300 participants from 16 countries, creating a global community among student researchers.

We invite students from all faculties to join the multi-disciplinary Organizing Committee for WEST-Con 2024. Subcommittees include: Finance, Communications, Publicity, Logistics, and Content. A brief overview of the roles and responsibilities for each subcommittee can be found in the linked form shared below.

You can join the Organizing Committee by completing the form linked here.

Feel free to email us with any questions (info@west-conference.ubc.ca). We look forward to hearing from you!

MSc in Health: Science, Technology and Policy at Carleton University

Carleton University’s Department of Health Sciences offers an innovative and exciting opportunity for graduate studies in health sciences.

The Master of Science in Health: Science, Technology and Policy (HSTP) is a unique 6-credit graduate program. The program places an emphasis on skill acquisition, using problem-based approaches to understand health issues and sectors, and participation in collaborative interdisciplinary research projects. The program design is facilitated by the cohort model, which allows for collaboration between students from various academic backgrounds to improve their understanding of complex problems in the broad field of health.

This year we are offering a new distinctive option in the MSc in HSTP program.  Incoming students will have a choice between the Research Pathway and the Practicum Pathway.   Those in the Research Pathway would participate in an Interdisciplinary Health Research Project, a multi-stakeholder and disciplinary graduate-level research project. Research is supervised by faculty researchers and completed in collaboration with external partners (e.g. government, corporate, or community health institutions).  The Practicum Pathway is a new stream that allows students to gain work experience by completing practicum placement(s) at appropriate organization(s) (e.g. public health unit, provincial or federal governmental agency or non-governmental organization).

We are currently accepting applications for Fall 2024 admissions. Further information on the program and the applications instructions can be found at https://carleton.ca/healthsciences/msc-in-health-science-technology-and-policy/admissions-msc-in-hstp/

If interested, please submit an application online (https://graduate.carleton.ca/apply-online/) by February 1, 2024.

If you have any questions about the program, please contact Claire MacArthur: CLAIREMACARTHUR@CUNET.CARLETON.CA

 

International Student Survey – CBIE 2023

The University of Victoria and the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) are inviting international students to participate in the 2023 International Student Survey! This survey is being conducted at institutions across Canada and gives international students the opportunity to provide important feedback and suggestions about their educational experience.

SURVEY LINK

Click on this link to access the survey: https://surveys.cbie.ca/s3/UVic-2023

PRIZES

CBIE is offering three prizes of $1,000. Winners will be randomly selected from the pool of international students who complete the entire. To enter the draw, you must complete the survey, opt into the draw and allow CBIE follow-up if you are randomly chosen as one of the winners. Last year one of the UVic students won one of the $1000 prizes!

SURVEY SUPPORT

If you have any questions or concerns about how this survey is being conducted or if you experience any problems with the survey itself, please contact research-recherche@cbie.ca

THANK YOU

Thank you in advance for providing this critical feedback. Your participation will amplify the voices of international students and serve an important role in shaping the experiences of future international students who come to study in Canada.

Job Opportunity: Animal Care Technician

Animal Care Technician
Location: Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre

Date Posted: 10-Oct-23

Reporting to the Head of Animal Care, the Animal Care Technician is responsible for technical support in the animal care unit assisting with and upholding the ethical care of animals used in research and education at the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre (BMSC). This position works closely with the Head of Animal Care and the Animal Care Coordinator with regards to: animal care priorities on site, including daily monitoring of animal holding facilities in ensuring compliance with Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) standards, and is heavily involved in general husbandry of marine aquatic animals (including assisting with the maintenance and organization of aquatic equipment, spaces, and inventory). The position involves working collaboratively with the organization, including participating in strategic initiatives that enhance community engagement and partnerships for the BMSC as well as supporting research and education clients.

We are committed to an equitable, diverse, and inclusive campus that is accessible to all and free from harassment, bullying, and discrimination. The BMSC recognizes that diverse staff and clients benefit and enrich our workplace and the broader community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been, and continue to be, encountered by equity seeking groups, including women, Indigenous peoples, visible/racialized minorities, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQ+. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their professional success while they are here.

Tasks and responsibilities:

  • Working closely with the Head of Animal Care and the Animal Care Coordinator regarding animal care priorities on campus, and liaising between the Animal Care Coordinator and research/students/public on site.
  • Daily monitoring of animal holding facilities (research, teaching and field trips) in compliance with Canadian Council for Animal Care (CCAC) standards.
  • Providing oversite of all animals on site, ensuring care is being provided by responsible party.
  • Providing husbandry of marine aquatic animals (e.g. fish and large variety of invertebrate species) used in research, teaching and field trips.
  • Providing habitat development and enrichment of display animals held on site.
  • Advising on animal care holding and procedures on site.
  • Assisting in and ensuring animal collection records are submitted by animal users and submitting BMSC’s required collections data to the appropriate external bodies.
  • Assisting in the collection of marine organisms (possibly with scientific diving, if qualified).
  • Assisting with delivering animal care seminars for the university summer students and field trips staff.
  • Providing logistical planning support and administrative support with regards to the relevant activities (e.g., permitting, advising, planning, managing small projects etc.)
  • Assisting in troubleshooting animal health situations alongside the Head of Animal Care and BMSC veterinarian.

Other responsibilities:

  • May on occasion assist the Coordinator and Chair of the Animal Care Committee in the administration of animal use protocols and animal care committee.
  • May on occasion assist with the coordination of BMSC’s animal care committee.
  • Assisting in other duties related to animal care as required.
  • Assisting with supervision of summer animal care assistant(s).
  • Assisting new researchers, facilitating collaborative research.
  • Informing users of available resources.
  • Assisting with the maintenance and organization of aquatic equipment, spaces, and inventory.

Required qualifications:

  • Degree or diploma in biology or related field with strong interest in animal welfare, husbandry, and aquatic science
  • Knowledge of Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) guidelines and standards.
  • Excellent communication skills (diplomacy and tact are essential)
  • Past husbandry experience in non-research facilities may be considered in the absence of the above noted qualifications
  • Attention to detail is crucial in following procedures and standard operating procedures
  • Must be fluent in written and oral English language
  • Good record keeping skills required
  • Must be willing to work weekends and after hours as required.

Desired qualifications:

  • Pleasure Craft Operator Card (can be provided to the successful candidate)
  • Animal User Training certification (through institution or online through the UPEI Experimental Fish Course – can be provided to the successful candidate)
  • Prior experience in animal care (e.g., preferably at a certified aquarium or facility)
  • WHMIS training (can be provided to the successful candidate)
  • SVOP (Small Vessel Operator’s Proficiency), SDV-BS (Small Domestic Vessel Basic Safety, formally known as MED-A3) and ROC-M (Restricted Operator’s Certificate-Maritime) certifications are assets
  • Familiarity with local marine fauna and its natural history/ecology is a strong asset
  • Adaptability to work and live in a remote location

Hourly Wage: Starting wage $22/hour (potential for increase based on experience and performance) plus benefits after probationary period.

Term: 6 month contract (potential to be made permanent full-time) –  37.5 hours/week

Application Deadline: November 10, 2023 (deadline will be extended if position is not filled)

How to Apply: Please apply by sending your resumé or CV, three references and a cover letter to the Coordinator of Animal Care at acc@bamfieldmsc.com

Ocean of data hackathon

On behalf of DeepSense,  ShiftKey Labs, and COVE, we wanted to reach out to share an opportunity about a FREE event open to post-secondary students across Canada. We are partnering with the Canadian Integrated Ocean Observing System (CIOOS), Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), and Ocean Startup Project to host the 7th Ocean of Data Challenge: Coast to Coast to Coast.

The Challenge kicks off on Wednesday, November 1st at 6pm ADT/ 5pm EST/ 2pm PT. Participants can work solo or in teams of up to five to submit their final idea in a video presentation format by November 20, 2023 at 11:59pm PT.  This Challenge is an opportunity for post-secondary students to use ocean data and explore how ocean data can improve the sustainability of our oceans and our communities as they answer the ultimate question: how can ocean data help us understand Canada’s ocean health, ocean economy, and ocean people? Submissions could be as simple as just a really insightful bar chart, a well-thought-out app idea, a detailed word cloud, or even use machine learning to build a prediction tool! Judges will watch the videos and choose a winner by Monday, November 27th. Judging will be based on the potential for sustainable impact, originality, and creativity! This challenge is a fantastic way to show off design, programming, data crunching, communication, or other skills. Not to mention more than $2,000 in prizes! Get more info and register today!

Travel Funding Opportunities

Did you know that you may be eligible to receive funding for your international exchange, co-op, work study or field school?

 International Mobility Access Grant (IMAG)

The International Mobility Access Grant (IMAG) aims to reduce barriers for students with a disability, Indigenous students and low-income students to access and participate in UVic’s international mobility programs and strengthen their global skills. 

Value: Up to $8,000
Open to: Indigenous students, students with a disability and low-income students who are also current UVic undergraduate students and either Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
Next deadline: November 1st, 2023

Please note: The international activity must commence within 12 months of the application deadline.

Student International Activities Fund (SIAF) 

The Student International Activities Fund (SIAF) is intended to assist UVic students with their participation in unpaid, international learning activities. 

Value: $500

  • Asia Undergraduate Supplement: $1,000
  • Asia Graduate Supplement: $5,000

Open to: Full-time undergraduate and graduate students
Next deadline: November 15th, 2023
(3 competitions per year – March, July and November)

Please note: The international activity must commence within 12 months of the application deadline used. Applications can be submitted retroactively.

One World International Scholarship

The One World International Scholarship is awarded to students participating in study, or work-abroad programs.

Value: $2,000-$5,000
Open to: Full-time undergraduate and graduate students who are also either Canadian citizens or permanent residents and residents of BC
Next deadline: November 15, 2023

Please note: Student must plan to begin their international experience before May 1, 2024

Nimrod Hungarian Mobility Award

The Nimrod Hungarian Mobility Award (Nimrod) helps UVic students participate in international learning activities taking place at accredited universities in Hungary.

Value: Varies
Open to: Full-time undergraduate, graduate or post-graduate students 
Next deadline:
November 15th, 2023 
(3 competitions per year – March, July and November) 

Please note: The international activity must commence within 12 months of the application deadline used.

Killam Fellowship Program

The Killam Fellowships Program provides an opportunity for exceptional undergraduate students to spend either one semester or a full academic year as an exchange student in the United States, at a participating institution.

Value: $15,000+

  • cash award of $5,000 US per semester
  • $10,000 for the full academic year

 Open to: Full-time undergraduate, graduate or post-graduate students 
Next deadline:
November 15th, 2023 
(3 competitions per year – March, July and November) 

Please note: Applications are for placement in Fall or Spring of the next school year.

Questions? Contact world@uvic.ca 

For more info and to apply, visit our funding webpage

For general information on International exchange, visit the outbound student webpage 

For information on international co-op, contact intlcoopcoord@uvic.ca, or visit the international co-op webpage 

SASS and MPT Info Sessions

Are you interested in health professions?  The UBC Department of Physical Therapy  and the School of Audiology and Speech Sciences are hosting in-person info sessions at the University of Victoria on Wednesday, November 22nd.  Department representatives will discuss their respective programs and admission requirements followed by a Q&A session. Details below:

School of Audiology and Speech Sciences
Medical Sciences Building (MSB 150)
Wednesday, November 22nd, 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Register: https://ubc.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4SEgY6kF4ak8wYe

Master of Physical Therapy
Medical Sciences Building (MSB 150)
Wednesday, November 22nd, 5:15 PM to 6:15 PM
Register: https://ubc.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_4SEgY6kF4ak8wYe

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=1125566788816494&set=a.800709047968938

STEM Faculty involvement in FECS Engagement Circles

SOCIAL INNOVATION LAB

October 2023 to April 2024

Truth and (Re)conciliation is a top priority for the University of Victoria, for Canadians, and Indigenous Peoples. Engineers and Professionals have a role to play in Truth and (Re)conciliation. The Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science is conducting engagement sessions to determine what initiatives, programs, and events, supports and resources are needed to continue working on the UVic Indigenous Plan.

The Social Innovation Lab will take a diverse set of participants through 7 design sessions with a human centred approach to explore current state, future state, and ideate together to develop the Faculty’s Truth and (Re)conciliation strategy.

We would like to ensure that First Nations, Metis, or Inuit undergraduate and graduate students have a voice and a seat at the table. If you are interested in attending one or all the sessions, please submit an Expression of Interest through this google form. An honorarium will be provided.

We appreciate your consideration – if you have any questions or require further clarity, please contact Jessica Vandenberghe at engradcc@uvic.ca.

Age of Generative AI Workshop

Join us in our brand-new workshop, Age of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI), to explore the history of AI, discuss some of its positive and negative impacts on the world, and learn how and when to use AI tools in the classroom! Share your thoughts on the opportunities and challenges that come with these tools and be a part of the conversation that’s shaping the future of education!

Register today for a session on October 24th or November 2nd at learnanywhere.uvic.ca/academic-integrity

Academic Integrity – Learn Anywhere

First Generation Mentorship Program

The “First in Class Mentorship Program” is for students who are the first in their family to attend higher education as they often face many barriers. Not only is it financially challenging, but the culture of higher education can seem strange or unfamiliar to someone who has no experience with it and can’t ask family for help or advice. To better support first-gen students, we have decided to create a mentorship program. We are a group of faculty who were ourselves first-gen students, so we understand the experience well. To learn more about potential mentors, see our website here: https://onlineacademiccommunity.uvic.ca/firstgen/