David Carrière-Acco

🌎 MSCAdvocacy recently launched its mission in Canada at the Canada-Europe Partnership Forum in Ottawa, engaging with key stakeholders from the international education sectors of both regions. The forum focused on strengthening Canada-Europe partnerships in higher education, especially following Canada’s recent association with #HorizonEurope Pillar Two. Key discussions highlighted the significant role of Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (#MSCA) and other funding opportunities like Erasmus Plus, European Research Council (ERC), and Eureka Network. As Johanna Füllmann, our country liaison officer, stated, “Awareness of Horizon Europe in Canada is skyrocketing, paving the way for closer collaboration between Canadian and EU researchers.” The potential of MSCA as a bottom-up approach for establishing doctoral and postdoctoral networks and staff exchanges is immense. Many larger universities are already recognising this opportunity, particularly through the co-funding mechanism established with Mitacs. Our team has been actively promoting these initiatives through discussions across major cities including Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, and Edmonton. A highlight was the reception hosted by the Alberta Bureau for International Education (ABIE) on 4 November in Ottawa, which celebrated Canada’s diverse culinary offerings and featured a traditional hoop dance by an Algonquin dancer—underscoring the importance of indigenous perspectives in research. The event provided MSCAdvocacy with valuable opportunities to indulge with numerous stakeholders in the Canadian science and education sectors. The mission included insightful visits and bilateral talks at various locations, such as the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) Art Smith Aero Centre in Calgary, the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (Amii), and the University of Alberta International Office in Edmonton. A meeting with aerospace researcher Carlo Antonini, a three-time MSCA grant fellow based in Toronto, underscored that MSCA offers a solid source for scientists to excel in their specific fields of interest, as it is open to all research topics. We look forward to fostering innovation and collaboration between Canadian and European researchers! #ResearchCollaboration #EUfunded

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🌟 Exciting news! The Digital Governance Council | Conseil de gouvernance numérique, in partnership with The Dais at Toronto Metropolitan University , Blueprint , and Imagine Canada, is proud to share the release of the latest Canadian Centre for Nonprofit Digital Resilience | Centre canadien pour la résilience numérique report: "The Demand for Digital Skills in Canada's Nonprofit Sector." 📊💻 Key insights from this report include: 1️⃣ Nonprofit jobs show a lower demand for digital skills compared to other knowledge sector jobs, particularly in software development and data analytics. 2️⃣ Microsoft Office proficiency remains the top demanded digital skill in the nonprofit sector, highlighting the need for basic office software competency. 3️⃣ While digital skill requirements may not be as intense as in other sectors, there's evidence that nonprofit jobs are adapting to digital trends. This report is part of the "Futureproofing the Community Service Workforce" initiative, aimed at unlocking the nonprofit sector's digital potential to strengthen community services. 🔗 Read the full report: https://lnkd.in/e-8Gc5uK Join us in our mission to bridge the digital skills gap and empower Canada's nonprofit sector. Together, we can build a more resilient and digitally capable community service workforce. #DigitalSkills #NonprofitSector #CanadianNonprofits #DigitalTransformation #FutureOfWork

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Is applied research on your Fall to-do list? Make sure to register today for Applied Research 101. PS: Did you know that some college research offices cover the costs of registering for the program? If you are a researcher at Mohawk College, St. Lawrence College or Loyalist College Research make sure to chat with your research office before registering.

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This week on our AI Observatory blog, our Research Associate Sandrine Desforges reflects on two components from the U15 Canada's recently released "Navigating AI in Teaching and Learning: Values, Principles and Leading Practices" - notably: > The importance of building trust: She talks about impacts of limited engagement with faculty, staff and students, and shares highlights from a recent report from the College Innovation Network. She also reiterates the specific need to engage with Indigenous faculty, staff and students in building institutional responses to AI, and shares a list of resources developed by Indigenous scholars. > Post-secondary institutions' role in educating the members of their community on AI: Here, she shares quotes from Ethan Mollick on the importance of playing with AI, and urges institutions to carve out resources to enable faculty, staff and students to experiment with AI. Read today's blog: https://lnkd.in/eyavn59k Make sure to subscribe if you don't want to miss any of our future AI blog posts: https://lnkd.in/eNNvy-vf #ArtificialIntelligence #AI #GenAI #HigherEd #PostSecondary

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In the era of AI, cultivating skills such as self-awareness and adaptability is crucial for both educators and students. Dr. Cherie Werhun, PhD, Sheridan’s Associate Vice Provost, Human Development and Potential, shared insights on the power of self-intelligence in an article featured on Harvard Business Publishing Education. Launching in fall 2024, a unique and first-of-its kind program at Sheridan will offer learners access to a self-paced, state-of-the-art online learning platform (and accompanying mobile application) that recommends research-backed practices. Learners who engage with the program will work on skills that boost resilience and agility, connecting each unique educational journey with many of the deeply human skills they’ll need to excel at whatever life throws their way. Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/gBsD2X_y Learn more about S-Sense: https://lnkd.in/g2_CMiwk

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🚨Your Voice 2024 Survey deadline alert🚨 There's only one week left to help the Future Skills Centre - Centre des Compétences futures better understand how the skills and workforce development ecosystem can evolve to meet Canada’s emerging and future labour market demands. Challenge Factory is proud to contribute to amplifying the full ecosystem's voice and impact, and we're thrilled to support the collection of reliable, robust data 🎉 Our 2024 report, "Hidden Sector, Hidden Talent: Mapping Canada's Career Development Sector," identifies 15 groups that are part of the ecosystem and, together, can ensure all Canadians have access to consistent, reliable labour market information. 📣 Now's the time to make your voice heard. 📣 Complete the Future Skills Centre survey by December 17:  https://lnkd.in/gDPrvgex Download the Challenge Factory report: https://lnkd.in/g4k3ywUm #CareerDevelopment #WorkforceDevelopment

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📊✨ Conestoga Public Schools transformed their data management with Otus, making it easier for teachers to access insights and support students effectively. Hear from Megan Glazebrook, an elementary instructional coach for Conestoga, how with streamlined assessments and a collaborative approach, they're driving positive outcomes for every learner. #DataDriven #EducationInnovation https://hubs.li/Q02SMfQd0

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Do you know what #skills are the most important for start-up entrepreneurs to succeed? Our latest project with MindFrame Connect, a not-for-profit funded by Future Skills Centre - Centre des Compétences futures, and created by Dalhousie University, Toronto Metropolitan University, Innovation + Impact Network of Canada, and Globalive, involved over 150 mentors, mentees and entrepreneurs across Canada. As part of MindFrame Connect's research, three higher-order skills were identified as necessary for start-up #entrepreneurs: ✅Self-awareness — understanding one’s strengths, weaknesses, motivation and behaviour. It can be fostered through coaching and mentorship, critical self-reflection, feedback, evaluation and mental performance skills. ✅A growth mindset — the belief that personal attributes can be developed through dedication, effort and learning. Research indicates that a growth mindset is essential for entrepreneurial self-efficacy, as it increases the likelihood of taking on new challenges. ✅Resilience — the ability to overcome adversity, adapt to change and successfully navigate stressors. Social support is important in developing resilience, as having a supportive relationship can provide emotional support and assistance. ➡️Learn more about the program and best practices in mentorship for entrepreneurs in the full report: https://bit.ly/45SeGHT

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Transforming Change Detection for Canada’s Enterprises Microsoft’s Drasi is here! This open-source tool empowers Canadian businesses to handle real-time monitoring and automated reactions seamlessly, ensuring peak operational efficiency. Learn more!

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  In yesterday's webinar, alongside Vinay Chaudhry, CEO of Worldwide EduConnect and Andrew Champagne, Mobility Programs Manager at Colleges and Institutes Canada | Collèges et instituts Canada, we heard from Saurabh Malhotra Malhortra, CEO and Founder of Student Direct:     "If we keep doing what we are doing, diversity will suffer a lot."   Watch this insightful discussion about the future of international student recruitment in Canada via the link below! ⤵ https://lnkd.in/eRWqE6Q7

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New research in collaboration with Future Skills Centre - Centre des Compétences futures and Vector Institute looks at the shift in the Canadian AI job market, the challenges organizations face recruiting talent for AI roles and the skills gaps they’re seeing. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/4fFXl8Z

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Our ADaPT (Advanced Digital and Professional Training) program here at Toronto Metropolitan University is revolutionizing pathways to #employment by combining foundational business #skills with cutting-edge digital training in areas like AI, cybersecurity and the green transition. Supported by the Future Skills Centre - Centre des Compétences futures (FSC) and the Ontario Government | Gouvernement de l’Ontario, ADaPT has empowered over 1,100 participants—85% from equity-deserving groups—with an impressive 90% placement rate. This employer-driven initiative collaborates with 900+ companies, including Sun Life Canada, RBC and Infosys. ADaPT modules are also now part of Ontario Chamber of Commerce’s FSC-funded Skills Bridge, a digital platform developed by Magnet that provides smaller organizations across Canada with access to practical training to meet their current and emerging needs. Interested in learning more? Read The Globe and Mail article: https://lnkd.in/g8HERRrR #Upskilling #Innovation #DigitalTransformation #EDI #DiversityMatters Louie DiPalma

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🎉 Learn more about the ADaPT program and the impact we are making!

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📢 Discover manufacturing data insights! 📢 Our data bulletins are a must-read for anyone looking for valuable insights into the Ontario #manufacturing ecosystem ✅ ⤵

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🎓 “We’re seeing technology transform learning at all levels,” says Dr. Wendy Cukier, our founder and academic director and academic research director of the Future Skills Centre - Centre des Compétences futures, which aims to address gaps in digital skills, especially among Canada’s diverse populations. Canada is at the forefront of integrating artificial intelligence (#AI) into #education, reshaping how and where we learn. From personalized, adaptive learning to immersive virtual classrooms, AI-driven edtech unlocks new opportunities for learners of all ages. But with opportunity comes responsibility. Challenges like ensuring #equity in access, addressing ethical concerns and navigating the #digital divide remain critical. As policymakers, educators and innovators, we must work together to ensure no learner is left behind. As Cukier notes, “Everyone needs basic AI literacy." One example is DI's ADaPT (Advanced Digital and Professional Training) program. It helps diverse postsecondary school graduates from varied academic backgrounds learn tech skills while providing career support. “It doesn’t focus on engineers and computer scientists, it focuses on English majors and history grads,” Cukier says. In this latest The Globe and Mail article from Mary Gooderham, explore how #Canada is leading the charge in AI-enabled education and the issues shaping the future of learning: https://lnkd.in/gdTXu--h #AI #EdTech #Innovation #EducationTransformation

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Our #ThisIsCivicTech social series spotlights stories of people using tech to help their communities, from coast to coast. Next up: City of Ottawa Activities listing 🏸 The problem: How can we make #Ottawa's recreation programs' information more easily searchable? Claudie Larouche was frustrated navigating the City of Ottawa's website to find information on its dozens of recreation facilities. Like many other residents, she wanted the information in one central location online. 🏸 The solution: A website listing all available activities with filter options With the help of AI, she created her own activity search tool with information such as hours and location. 🏸 The result: More residents taking advantage of Ottawa's recreational offerings! Thanks to this online tool, Ottawa residents no longer need to visit individual recreation facilities' websites to see what programs are available and when. 💡Learn more about this Claudie Larouche's project: https://bit.ly/3xKoC9t 💡 Have an idea for a similar project? Connect with the Canadian civic tech community to get help launching it: https://bit.ly/3UfA2tt

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🚨 BREAKING NEWS 🚨 Quebec takes a historic step towards national digital identity! #Bill82 #DigitalQuebec 🌟 Quebec modernizes its digital services! #DigitalTransformation #Innovation Minister @ÉricCaire has just tabled Bill 82 on national digital identity, a major transformation for digital Quebec. 📱 A digital revolution for citizens: 🎯 Major investment of $101.8 million over 5 years 🔐 Enhanced government cybersecurity ⚡ Improved user experience for online services 💡 Major transformation axes: ✅ Unified government authentication ✅ Enhanced personal data protection ✅ More accessible and efficient digital services ✅ Modernized technological infrastructure 🛠️ Key objectives: 📌 Simplify access to government services 📌 Strengthen citizen data security 📌 Optimize public service efficiency 📌 Reduce environmental footprint 🌿 An important step towards a greener and more efficient government! This initiative positions Quebec as a leader in government digital transformation! 🚀 Share to inform your network about this major digital transformation in Quebec! 🔄 #DigitalQuebec #PublicService #DigitalGovernment #Innovation #Cybersecurity #DigitalTransformation #PublicModernization #TechQC #DigitalIdentity #SmartGov #OnlineServices #QuebecTech #Administration2_0 #ResponsibleDigital #CyberSecurity #InfoSec #InfoSecurity #QuebecGovernment #DigitalSecurity #DigitalTransformation #CyberSecurityQC #Tech #Digital #QuebecInnovation #PublicService #CyberSécurité #InfoSec #InfoSecurity

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