Media releases

  • Brock in talks with University of West Indies to create Institute for Canada-Caribbean Studies

    MEDIA RELEASE: 9 April 2019 – R00063

    After years of partnering with one another on various initiatives, Brock University and the University of the West Indies (UWI) are now considering the creation of the Institute for Canada-Caribbean Studies.

    The schools came together on Brock’s main campus Friday, April 5 to renew two existing memorandums of understanding and to sign a new MOU that will see them begin talks related to the proposed institute.

    “The signing ceremony at Brock University is a testament to the relationship we’ve built together over many years, and commitment to the future of Canadian-Caribbean studies,” said Sir Hilary Beckles, Vice-Chancellor from UWI. Beckles highlighted the new agreement and recognized Brock University President Gervan Fearon in his opening remarks at the UWI Gala in Toronto on Saturday, April 6.

    Establishing the Institute for Canada-Caribbean studies would provide a focal point for multi-disciplinary research and teaching to deepen and improve the multi-faceted relationships between Canada and the Caribbean and examine issues affecting the Caribbean diaspora communities in Canada.

    At Brock, James Mandigo, Vice-Provost, Enrolment Management and International, will serve as the institutional lead to help facilitate the development of the Institute. His counterpart at UWI, Richard Bernal, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Global Affairs, will lead a similar process at UWI.

    “Establishing an Institute for Canada-Caribbean Studies would be a true reflection of Brock’s global commitment to fostering a culture of intercultural understanding,” Fearon said. “We will also be welcoming scholars from across Canada to be active participants and members of the Institute to collaborate and lead projects related to Canada-Caribbean issues. Our vision is to harness the expertise of the academic community across Canada and the Caribbean to help address important topics that are relevant to those who live, study and work in these regions of the world.”

    Established in 1948, UWI has campuses in Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Barbados, and an open campus, which provides post-secondary opportunities to students in 16 other Caribbean nations. It is the largest higher education provider in the English-speaking Caribbean. UWI was recently ranked in the Top 5 per cent of universities in the world by the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings in 2019.

    Canada has played a key role in the development of UWI, including funding support to build residences on the Jamaican and Trinidad and Tobago campuses, and a $20-million grant to support the creation of UWI’s open campus.

    Brock’s rich history with UWI includes presenting an honorary degree to Sir Hilary Beckles, professor and pro-vice chancellor and principal of the University of the West Indies in 2014.

    Brock is also the first university in Canada to be led by a Caribbean descendant. Fearon underscored the commitment of Brock to building strong ties with the Caribbean during his first international trip as President and Vice-Chancellor of Brock University to the Caribbean in May 2018, visiting Antigua, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Grenada.

    During last week’s meeting with Brock officials, Beckles and other dignitaries from UWI were joined by Canada’s High Commissioner to Jamaica, Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, and Cayman Islands, Her Excellency Laurie Peters.

    In addition to the MOU related to the development of the Institute for Canada-Caribbean Studies, the signing ceremony renewed two MOUs already in place between Brock and UWI.

    Together, they promote international and intercultural understanding, academic linkages and enrich the cultural understanding of both universities.

    More specifically, the agreements continue to provide mobility opportunities for faculty, staff and students between institutions.

    Faculty from across Canada and the Caribbean will be able to collaborate on joint research activities and participate in seminars, meetings and professional development opportunities. General staff, such as administrative and technical support, along with students from both institutions will also be able to gain valuable international experience through an exchange or short-term program.

    More information on Brock University’s international partner institutions can be found on the Brock International website.

    For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

    * Dan Dakin, Manager Communications and Media Relations, Brock University ddakin@brocku.ca, 905-688-5550 x5353 or 905-347-1970

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    Categories: Media releases

  • Grad students have three minutes and one slide to sum up complex research

    MEDIA RELEASE: 8 April 2019 – R00062

    Final round for annual Three Minute Thesis competition set for Thursday, April 11

    How the construction of a house relates to mitochondrial-mediated cell death may not be clear to most people, but that’s the analogy Jennifer Wilkinson used to explain her research in simple terms during Brock University’s Three Minute Thesis (3MT) preliminary round.

    Eight graduate students from five Faculties participated in the competition last week that challenges students to present their complex research to a general audience in no more than three minutes and using only one slide and no props.

    Event judges Cassie Price, Venture Development Co-ordinator for the Goodman Group, Cathy Majtenyi, Research Communications Specialist for the Office of Research Services, and Brad Clarke, Director, Student Life and Community Experience, selected three master’s students to advance to the challenge finals on Thursday, April 11 at Brock.

    Joining Wilkinson, a student in Applied Health Sciences, are Alicia Azzano from Applied Disability Studies and Rachel Richmond from Applied Health Sciences.

    “Selecting the finalists was much more difficult than I had imagined it would be,” said Price. “There were so many factors to take into consideration — presentation style, slide design, audience engagement and comprehension of the subject. It was a wonderful experience to learn about the fascinating research students are doing on campus from such a wide variety of disciplines.”

    Wilkinson said she decided to participate in 3MT to enhance her research communication skills.

    “I know it’s an important skill and part of my graduate degree to learn how to translate my knowledge for anyone to understand,” she said.

    Wilkinson and the other finalists will compete for the title of Brock 2019 3MT Champion during a midday break of the Mapping the New Knowledges (MNK) Graduate Student Conference April 11 at Brock.

    The winner of the challenge will represent Brock at the Ontario 3MT Competition, hosted by McMaster University on Wednesday, April 17. Presentations will be livestreamed and a winner will be selected to represent Ontario at the national finals, where 11 finalists will be competing for the title of 2019 Canadian 3MT Champion.

    Now in its 14th year, the MNK Conference is a daylong showcase of graduate student research happening at Brock, with more than 165 students presenting either oral or poster presentations.

    The day will kick off with a keynote address from Tek Thongpapanl, Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Studies in the Goodman School of Business, who will discuss his role as a mentor to students and his own personal journey with mentorship over his career.

    The conference, being held in Brock’s Plaza Building and the Cairns Family Health and Bioscience Research Complex, is free and open to the public.

    Mapping the New Knowledges conference highlights:

    8:30 a.m. — Keynote address

    11:45 a.m. — 3MT final round

    12:15 p.m. — Presentation of Marilyn Rose Graduate Leadership Award, Michael Plyley Graduate Mentorship Awards and Jack M. Miller Excellence in Research Awards

    For more information or for assistance arranging interviews:

    * Dan Dakin, Manager Communications and Media Relations, Brock University ddakin@brocku.ca, 905-688-5550 x5353 or 905-347-1970

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    Categories: Media releases