Articles by author: Brock University

• Brock partners with Niagara College, Niagara Workforce Planning Board to research pathways to economic growth

  Wednesday, June 14, 2017 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE: 12 June 2017 – R00114

  Brock University, Niagara College’s School of Business and the Niagara Workforce Planning Board have formed a partnership that will see the three institutions collaborate on economic, business and labour research.

   

  The parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on June 12 stating a desire to combine their strengths to gain a fresh understanding of Niagara’s makeup and challenges, and identify new approaches for stimulating healthy growth in area communities.

  “The partnership is based on the shared values of responsiveness to the needs of the local community, a commitment to collaboration that celebrates and leverages the diverse perspectives and strengths of stakeholders, and pursuit of world-class research excellence,” says the MOU.

  Areas of cooperation include:

  • Preparing research reports and/or policy briefs on group-decided projects
  • Co-ordinating research activities that may include other community organizations
  • Supporting the partners’ projects by sharing expertise and contacts
  • Organizing joint forums with community partners in Niagara
  • Obtaining funding from various sources for “policy-relevant” research

     

  Charles Conteh, Director of Brock’s Niagara Community Observatory (NCO), says the three-way partnership will enable researchers to get a “panoramic view” of how the economy, business and labour interact with one another as Niagara region moves forward with regional development.

  “Let’s co-ordinate our strength and together begin to ask larger questions about the economic vitality of Niagara and job creation: What are the gaps? What are the challenges? Bottlenecks? Constraints? How can we overcome them?” he says.

  Research generated from the five-year partnership is meant to align resources to best support people, programs and services.

  “Brock University is deeply committed to working with the community by building partnerships in reciprocity and mutual respect,” says Interim Vice-President Research Joffre Mercier. “Our community stakeholders’ input informs and directs our research, and our research will help inform decisions that will enhance the economic and social health of Niagara. The Niagara Community Observatory plays a key role in directing and driving these efforts, and we are grateful to them for their hard work.”

  Niagara College and the Niagara Workforce Planning Board are equally enthusiastic about the potential benefits of this agreement.

  “Niagara College is pleased to have a role in this important partnership with Brock University and the Niagara Workforce Planning Board,” says Vivian Kinnaird, Niagara College’s Dean of Business, Hospitality and Environment. “This partnership will allow us to work together on research that will be beneficial for the Niagara region.”

  This type of collaboration between post-secondary education and labour market experts is “key to identifying labour market research priorities for our community, and it leverages our individual roles and strengths in support of economic development in Niagara,” says Niagara College President Dan Patterson. “The MOU we’ve signed today reflects our shared goals of aligning the skills and knowledge of our workforce with the current and future needs of Niagara’s business and industry.”

  The Niagara Workforce Planning Board is thrilled to be partnering with Niagara College and Brock’s NCO, said Chief Executive Officer Mario De Divitiis.

  “This initiative ensures streamlined and effective collaboration between some of the foremost public research institutions in the region, and that opens up so much possibility for Niagara.”

  About the partners

  Brock University’s Niagara Community Observatory is a public-policy think-tank working in partnership with the Niagara community to foster, produce and disseminate research on current and emerging issues. It produces a range of policy briefs on topics of interest and concern to Niagara region.

  Currently celebrating its 50th year as a College of Applied Arts and Technology, Niagara College is a leader in applied education and a key contributor to the economies of Niagara and Ontario.  Through its School of Business, Niagara College offers a broad range of comprehensive business and business administration programs at the Diploma, Graduate Certificate and Bachelor’s Degree level.

  The Niagara Workforce Planning Board (NWPB) is one of 26 regional planning boards in Ontario making up the Local Boards Network, partly funded through Employment Ontario. NWPB performs authoritative research identifying and assessing current employment and economic trends and growing workforce opportunities to foster economic growth, develop talent across the labour market, and strengthen partnership and collaboration within our growing community.

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews with Charles Conteh and Joffre Mercier:

  * Cathy Majtenyi, Research Communications/Media Relations Specialist, Brock University cmajtenyi@brocku.ca, 905-688-5550 x5789 or 905-321-0566

  Categories: Media releases

• Canadian business leader receives honorary doctorate from Brock

  Friday, June 09, 2017 | By Brock University

  MEDIA RELEASE: 8 June 2017 – R00112

  Much has changed since Maureen Sabia graduated from law school in the late 1960s. And yet, much has stayed the same.

  “In some ways I feel sorry for these graduates today,” the Chairman of the Board for Canadian Tire Corporation said Thursday afternoon before receiving an honorary degree from Brock University. “They’re just starting out, and all of the challenges and pitfalls ahead of them — I remember those vividly.”

  But graduates today also have the benefit of a world of opportunity, Sabia said.

  “At the same time I’m excited for them, because the opportunities that are available today are opportunities we only dreamed of when I graduated.”

  Sabia grew up in St. Catharines and is the daughter of high-profile social activist Laura Sabia, who received her own honorary degree from Brock in 1979. By that point, Maureen Sabia was working in Toronto, but returned to the campus to watch her mother’s Convocation ceremony.

  It was Sabia’s mother who taught her daughter that women could do anything men could do.

  A Canadian business leader, Sabia has served on committees and boards of directors for numerous corporations across multiple sectors. She has also served on the boards or advisory councils at Brock University, University of Guelph, University of Toronto, Dalhousie University and other post-secondary institutions.

  For more than 30 years, Sabia has been on Canadian Tire’s board, and she’s established herself as someone whose life is focused entirely on her business career.

  In her Convocation address, she encouraged the graduates to believe in the mantra “yes, I can.”

  “It is up to all of you to use your talents and your learning to the very best of your abilities,” Sabia said. “Don’t waste them.”

  She told the students about the difficult journey through sometimes unchartered territory, and said she believes political correctness has been taken too far.

  “We need to celebrate our unity as Canadians and not focus so much on the differences that silo us,” she said.

  Sabia said she wants Canada to go from being known as the “kindest, gentlest country in the world,” to being one where “great leadership, ambition, hard work, innovation, growth and individual responsibility” make Canada prosperous.

  “That is good for all who make Canada home,” she said.

  Goodman School of Business Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching

  Earlier in the day, Goodman School of Business Accounting Professor Samir Trabelsi gave the morning Convocation address after being awarded the Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching.

  Trabelsi, an international expert in corporate governance, said for graduates to succeed in a world increasingly filled with pressure, they need to “be a leader rather than a pathfinder, cultivate agility, and celebrate cultural diversity.”

  “I’m sure each of you have different dreams, but none of you should give up your dreams and aspirations that will drive you to a higher level of achievement,” he said. “You should hold onto your goals, even if you stumble here or there.”

  Convocation wraps up Friday with the final ceremony at 10 a.m. Graduands from both the faculties of Math and Science and Humanities will be conferred, while indigenous language pioneer David Kanatawakhon-Maracle will receive an honorary doctorate and give the Convocation address.

  For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:
   
  * Dan Dakin, Media Relations Officer, Brock University ddakin@brocku.ca, 905-688-5550 x5353 or 905-347-1970

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  Categories: Media releases