Get caught up on what happened around the web this week in higher ed with this collection of recent articles on post-secondary education. This week's collection includes a look at the debate on colleges as "finishing schools," the impact of the CIHR commercialization grant cancellation, study permit delays, teaching life, and more.
How Universities Play Moneyball
Vitae
Associate Professor Mark Chou (Australian Catholic University) takes a look at how and why some universities are jockeying for positions within world ranking systems.
"Average" college student is no longer what many Canadians imagine
Maclean's
This article discusses the idea that colleges are increasingly becoming "finishing schools" for students with higher education degrees.
Students need meaningful data when choosing postsecondary education
Universities Canada
In a letter to the Maclean's editor, Universities Canada responds to Maclean's article that argued that Canadian students were increasingly opting to attend colleges over universities.
Cancellation of CIHR commercialization grant leaves "crucial gap"
The Ottawa Citizen
Elizabeth Payne investigates what the cancellation of the Proof of Principle grant program could mean for Canadian scientists.
Focus Fracas
The Chronicle of Higher Education
Professor Emeriti Frank Furedi (University of Kent) suggests that rather than resigning ourselves to our students' digitally frayed attention, we should figure out how to win it back.
Wanted and coming: Solid, reliable and current info on life after PhD
Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario
Richard Wiggers, Executive Director, Research and Programs, HEQCO, argues that the claim that only 18.6% of PhD grads find tenure-track employment is based on potentially misleading data.
New post-secondary business ventures on hold after Alberta auditor report
The Edmonton Journal
Alberta's Deputy Minister of Advanced Education Rod Skura has said that all new for-profit business venture proposals are on hold, pending the creation of new guidelines based on the auditor general's findings, released in October.
Study permit delays may hinder Canada's competitiveness - CBIE
The PIE News
According to a recent study by CBIE, lengthy study permit processing times pose a concern for Canada's global competitiveness by limiting both the effectiveness of the federal International Education Strategy and the effectiveness of PSE recruitment efforts across the country.
Why Canada's universities should mandate indigenous courses
The Globe and Mail
President and Vice-chancellor Annette Trimbee (University of Winnipeg) and Associate Vice-president (Indigenous Affairs) Wab Kinew (University of Winnipeg) make the argument that universities should recognize and embrace Canada's indigenous character.
The Challenge of Restoring the 'Public' to 'Public Higher Education'
The Chronicle of Higher Education
Higher-education advocates question the intense focus on metrics, return on investment, and work-force preparation.