(November
1 ,
2001, Gazette)
New
program for civil servants
Memorial University introduced the Public Sector Leadership and Management
Development Program at a news conference Oct. 30, the first organizational
development program of its kind targeted at both federal and provincial
government employees. The new program has been developed in co-operation
with the federal and provincial governments and is being delivered by
the Centre for Management Development at the Faculty of Business Administration.
The Public Sector Leadership and Management Development Program addresses
the skills development needs of leaders and managers within both the federal
and provincial governments. The program will offer current leadership
and management theories and practices and public sector application.
“For more than 20 years, the Centre for Management Development has
been working with individuals and groups to provide current, customized
training programs,” said Bill Morrissey, director, Centre for Management
Development. “We are committed to helping people acquire the tools
they need to work effectively and efficiently. This new program provides
a framework to help both levels of government work together, learn from
each other, and achieve greater results.”
History prof nominated for book prize
Dr. Gerhard Bassler, History, has been short-listed for the prestigious
Raymond Klibansky Prize for 2000-2001 for his book, Alfred Valdmanis and
the Politics of Survival. The prize awarded by the Humanities and Social
Sciences Federation of Canada is given for the best Canadian scholarly
works written in French and in English in the humanities and the social
sciences.
Dr. Bassler’s book is a biography of Alfred Valdmanis, best known
for his infamous role in Premier Joseph Smallwood’s scheme to industrialize
Newfoundland.
The prize, named after Dr. Raymond Klibansky, professor emeritus at McGill
University, one of Canada’s most eminent humanities scholars in classical
and modern philosophy, is selected by a cross-Canada jury. It is designed
to recognize excellence in research and writing and to acknowledge the
significant contribution that Canadian scholarly books make towards the
advancement of knowledge, of education, and of the discussion of important
issues affecting society. Dr. Bassler expressed his surprise and delight
at being short-listed for the honour. Notice of the award is expected
this month.
AIF generates $1.5 billion in proposals
The first request for project proposals under the $300-million Atlantic
Innovation Fund has generated an overwhelming response from the region’s
research institutions and business community. Robert G. Thibault, minister
of state for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), confirmed
that the agency has received 195 proposals seeking a total of $810 million
toward total project costs of $1.5 billion.
Of the submitted proposals, 120 are from non-commercial institutions or
organizations seeking a total of $587 million in funding, and 75 are from
commercial enterprises requesting a total of $223 million in funding.
The deadline for submitting proposals was Sept. 28.
“This is a tremendous response,” said Mr. Thibault. “It
proves what we suspected – that there has been untapped potential
for Atlantic Canada’s research institutions and private sector businesses
to work more closely together to make major investments in the research
and development capacity of the region.”
The minister acknowledged that the $300 million in the fund will not even
come close to meeting the demand for funding.
Memorial has submitted 15 applications worth a total of $132 million,
of which $73 million is being requested from the AIF.
Preparing a new generation
The J. Armand Bombardier Foundation launched a major fellowship program
Sept. 12 for Canadians who wish to internationalize their education. Over
the next five years, the foundation will finance innovative international
study, research and work programs proposed by Canadian students.
Over the five years, 125 candidates will be selected through an annual
competitive process to receive fellowships valued at $10,000 each. The
closing date for the first competition is March 1, 2002.
The goal of the program is to build a cadre of young Canadians who can
play a leading role in today’s knowledge-based global economy. It
is a broad-scope program permitting a variety of formal academic and informal
learning in virtually all disciplines – social sciences, humanities,
fine arts, business, law, pure and applied sciences.
Interested candidates must hold at least one university degree, show excellent
academic performance in their previous degree program and present a clear
study plan or a combination of study and research or work at an institution
abroad. Their task will be to convince the independent selection committee
of their capacity and commitment to internationalize their career and
use their newfound knowledge and cultural sensitivity to make a contribution
to the prosperity of Canada and to society in general.
For more information, see www.cbie.ca/bombardier.html
