Jon French

An important read about the value of social science and humanities research in solving big problems.

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Two Schulich School of Business - York University alumnae were recently featured in a Toronto Star article offering their tips on navigating a tough job market. The key takeaways from Majd Khnouf, MBA, PMP, PMI-ACP MBA '23 and Sheli Rozenfeld BBA '24? Utilize your university's resources and network! You never know where a conversation can take you. #centreforcareerdesign #schulichschoolofbusiness #newgrad #networking

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Ima Okonny's insights on transforming public services through data are enlightening. In this Public Sector Future episode, she outlines the importance of a strong data foundation, data literacy, and responsible AI. Her practical examples, like using NLP to identify vulnerable citizens, showcase the real-world impact of data-driven initiatives. A must-listen for public sector leaders seeking to harness data for positive change. #dataforgood #publicsector #AI #dataliteracy

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The best new academic program approval processes make intentional use of data to inform plans. They bring together the insights of faculty from research, labour market trends, and enrollment projections. These can be used to inform the development of robust scenarios to compare what could happen in different circumstances. Know what else robust enrollment scenarios are good for? Making an evidence-based and defensible case for funding a new program. Not sure where to start? Send me a DM with the word “plan” and let’s brainstorm together. #enrollmentmanagement #analytics #strategy

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Hello LinkedIn community! Tomorrow night (Sept 12) we will be hosting an Open House event at NEXT Canada for founders building early stage startups and students or recent grads considering becoming an entrepreneur. We will be presenting our three programs, hosting an alumni panel and giving the opportunity for members in the audience to pitch. You can sign up in the link below! To all my contacts - please tag people from your network in the comments below who you think would benefit in attending. #entrepreneurship #startups #accelerators #community

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“This course fills an important training gap for people entering AI and STEM fields,” says Elissa Strome, Executive Director of the Pan-Canadian Strategy at CIFAR. ”Conventional Western-led perspectives in tech and academic research tend to prioritize technical efficiency and profit but can overlook other critical aspects such as the impacts on the environment and wider community well-being. This course will help trainees in AI acquire a better-rounded knowledge of the potential risks and opportunities presented by AI for people and the planet.” https://lnkd.in/guZ95cXX

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Canadian innovators - the time is NOW for you to provide input on a proposal that will have dramatic effect on your ability to continue to do business here in Canada. In case you missed it, ISED has opened consultation to inform a proposal to legislate minimum spending targets for innovation and research and development by Canadian SMEs. Think about that for a minute - you can have your say on enshrining minimum expenditures for the Canadian innovation! No more risk of your innovation being scrapped after pre-qualifying! Currently, the ISC program has a budget of $113.8M. However, the recent federal budget will reduce this to a mere $40M in 2025/26. That means the program that has been so vital for the development of Canadian intellectual property and innovation will be gutted to a shadow of what it is now. Here is your chance to provide input and drive change. If Public Service and Procurement Canada has an annual expenditure of $25B, then the current ISC program represents a spending target of only 0.45%! Compare that to an already legislated minimum 5% procurement target for Indigenous businesses. Some ideas to consider when you fill out the survey: 1. What if enough Canadians recommended a 3-5% legislated target range to support Canadian innovation and research and development? That would result in an annual budget of $750M to $1.25B. Think of how epic that could be for you, Canada, our economy, and our youth! 2. What if these spending targets were legislated for all government departments? No longer opt-in or optional. Now true innovation could reach all sectors of the government, not just the few casually interested departments. 3. Canadian innovators, do what you do best - think creatively! What other solutions would help support your company? Speak up! Consultation ends July 26, 2024, but take 5 mins and do it now! Web poll is here: https://lnkd.in/gAwZNse5 Background information is here: https://lnkd.in/gvbZGN_t Don't wait - have your say. Perhaps together we can drive some much-needed change to support innovation and research and development by Canadian SMEs! Dr.-Ing. Armin Strobel, Alexandre Archambault, Taylor McCubbin, CD, Josh Ogden, Nima Ziraknejad, Ph.D., P.Eng., Dr. Reza Tavakoli, PEng, Juliano Franz, Michael Poma, Michael H. Cohen, Michael Evink, Matt VanAndel, Chris Healy, David Berg, Rahul Goel, Albert Behr, Albert Mansour P.Eng., MBA, PMP, Jimmy Pelk, Philip Reece, Jeremy James, Celina Radoi, PMP, Brendan MacDonald, Jeremy C. H. Wang, Nikita Iliushkin, Maksym Korol, Matt McRoberts, Fabian Wolk, Steve Magirias, Chris Hood, Sean Adams, F-RCGS, Lizeanne St Pierre, MESc, PEng, PMP, Laura Finlay, Brooke Jones, Stephanie Ochej, Mark D. Robbins, Jonathan Clarke, Declan S., Ted Strazimiri, Courtland Penk

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Canada Falling Short of International Student Visa Caps: What It Means for the Future. Building a strong brand takes years, but it only takes a moment to harm it. Canada's international student market faces this challenge as actual student arrivals fall well below government-imposed visa caps. While adjusting these limits might seem like a solution, it doesn’t matter much if students no longer choose Canada as their destination. It’s a bit like managing your personal budget. Imagine you just replaced your roof, so you're cutting back in other areas. Normally, you spend $1,000 a month on groceries, but now you've trimmed it to $750 (let’s assume that’s realistic!). The thing is, even though you’ve adjusted your budget, you only have $500 left to spend. You can raise your grocery budget to $900, but it won’t change the fact that you’re still limited by what you actually have. Next week, I’ll be diving into how we can model the effects of these reduced international student numbers and explore what steps we might need to take over the next five years to course correct using Plaid Analytics Forecasting tools. Stay tuned! https://lnkd.in/gMM7q3US #cdnpse #highereducation #internationaleducation

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🚀 Is Your University Stifling Innovation or Fueling It? 🚀 Universities' equity stakes can significantly impact spinouts' potential success and attractiveness to investors. The epitome of an open, entrepreneur-friendly approach is the University of Waterloo's famous "inventor-owned" policy # 73. (https://lnkd.in/gXAjxaVm.) This policy clearly signals that the university prioritises the entrepreneurial spirit, drawing in some of the most innovative staff and students from around the world. This recent BusinessDesk article begins with the case of Zincovery, a startup focused on recycling zinc with low energy and low carbon technology. Initially, they faced the prospect of relinquishing two-thirds of their equity to the University of Canterbury, a deal breaker that would deter future investors. Recognising the stifling effect of such high demands, Zincovery opted to license the IP, a solution that eventually led to them attracting significant investment. But Zincovery's experience was more than five years ago. Universities like Canterbury have largely seen the light, shifting towards more flexible equity arrangements to support their researchers and the commercial viability of spinouts. By taking smaller stakes, often in the 10% range, universities might appear to be leaving money on the table. However, the broader benefits—like attracting top-tier entrepreneurial talent, fostering a thriving startup ecosystem, opportunities for graduates, industry collaboration and philanthropy — far outweigh the potential gains from larger equity shares, especially given the uncertainty of such early-stage ventures and future successful exits. This evolution in university policies is crucial for nurturing the next generation of innovators and ensuring the startups they create can thrive and scale globally. As yet, no university in the region has been bold enough to pursue the inventor-owned model, which, if done alongside the policy and culture changes necessary to support an entrepreneurial university, leaves a glaring opportunity for an institution to distinguish itself in the innovation race. #Innovation #UniversitySpinouts #StartupCulture #VentureCapital #Entrepreneurship #HigherEducation #Universities #TechTransfer

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The 'ballooning public sector' is worth paying attention to, and I appreciate Jason Kirby's efforts here to dig deeper, offer some context, and speak to a few economists about what might be driving this.

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In the evolving landscape of business analytics, it is vital to recognize the role research plays in driving progress and innovation. I am proud to share an initiative from the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT) featuring my thoughts on the impact of academic research on local industries in Southern Alberta. The transformative effects of data-driven research are evident across various sectors, from enhancing the productivity of local businesses to advancing sustainable practices in agriculture, and from improving the efficiency of transportation networks to innovating in manufacturing processes. Budget 2024 carries an opportunity to substantially fund Canadian research and build on the foundations laid by scholars and practitioners. An investment in research is an investment in our future, enabling us to solve complex problems and create a thriving, resilient economy. I support initiatives that foster research, bridging the gap between academia and industry for a prosperous future. #BusinessAnalytics #CanadianResearch #InvestInInnovation #UniversityOfLethbridge #DhillonSchoolofBusiness #CAUT

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The Gzowski College Micro-credential, "Entrepreneurship and Innovation: Foundations," is back for year two and sign-up is now open to Trent University students! This popular program will fill up quickly and we only have room for 50 students. Join to develop your soft skills and boost your leadership and networking skills. Upon completion, you’ll receive a digital badge to show your attainment of core competencies that will help you in any career path. Learn how to: -Define “social innovation” and entrepreneurship -Understand your comfort level with risks and rewards in entrepreneurship -Network effectively and confidently -Comfortably interact with mentors, leaders, and industry experts -Recognize the value of soft skills and how to utilize them -Accept critical feedback and learn from it -Develop strategies and skills for understanding future career paths -Understand how to access on-campus and off-campus resources that will help further your skills development and career paths.

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As the digital equity field evolves, I believe we'll be reading more about aspects of the digital divide that go beyond simply asking if communities have access to technology. This research from Ivey Business School professor Isam Faik describes the importance of understanding how the design of context-specific solutions can support the three elements of digital inequality.  By shifting our perspective to view digital inclusion as a design challenge, we can empower marginalized communities to not only adopt technology, but to shape its development in ways that are relevant to their unique needs and environments. #InclusiveDesign

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🎓✨ Attention Colleges and Universities! ✨🎓 Invest in the future by developing a military-connected student strategy. Canadian 🇨🇦 post-secondary education has the incredible opportunity to empower an underrepresented group—military-connected students—who have the potential to make a disproportionate impact on our economy. We can help this underrepresented group transition seamlessly into academic life and beyond by fostering an inclusive and supportive environment. Let's work together to unlock their potential and drive innovation, leadership, and growth in our communities. Make a difference. Let's elevate our educational institutions and, in turn, our economy by investing in military-connected learners! 🇨🇦💼 Canadian Armed Forces | Forces armées canadiennes Veterans Affairs Canada / Anciens Combattants Canada The Royal Canadian Legion CIMVHR - Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research #MilitaryConnectedLearners #HigherEducation #EconomicImpact #InclusiveEducation #ReleasePointEducation

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Since the recent announcement of the Canadian government requesting students to take a proficiency test after graduation to qualify for the Post Graduate Work Permit (#PGWP), my LinkedIn feed has been filled with comments expressing concerns about the implications of this new requirement. Many are questioning whether this is a necessary measure or simply a hurdle to dissuade students from studying in Canada. Given the significant concerns raised in response to the recent announcement, it's crucial to address these issues. To provide clarity and address these concerns, I'd like to extend a special invitation to our upcoming webinar: 'Advancing Security in Online English Testing: Key Strategies & Best Practices' 📅 Oct 3, 2024 at 08:30 PST (11:30 EST). This webinar is specifically designed to explore these important matters and provide reassurance. As LanguageCert Academic is available online, we'll be exploring the evolving cheating threats, our latest fraud prevention measures, and how institutions can play a role in ensuring reliable results. We'll cover topics like: 🕵️‍♂️ The latest in online proctoring methods ✅ How our verification system works to maintain trust 🏆 Best practices for institutions to support these efforts This webinar is a unique opportunity to learn how we, as an industry, can ensure that exam results reflect students' true language abilities. I encourage you to register and be part of this important discussion. 📝Registration link: https://lnkd.in/gHYtiRim

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🌿 I’m beyond excited to share the latest development in the collaboration between Colleges and Institutes Canada | Collèges et instituts Canada and the National Council of Deans of Apprenticeship, Trades and Technology! For the past four years, I’ve had the privilege of working with these two incredible organizations, and it has been a true honour to be part of the Green Training Modules for Trades Educators to Support Sustainable Housing Construction project. What makes this initiative even more special is seeing the collaboration between Medicine Hat College, Red Deer Polytechnic, and Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies (SIIT) come to life! Working alongside Morgan Blair from MHC and Justin L. from SIIT, we’re developing a two-day interactive workshop that will guide faculty on how to integrate these cutting-edge modules into their teaching while empowering them to create innovative projects that bring sustainable practices to life in their classrooms. Developed under CiCan’s ImpAct-Climate program, these modules provide trades instructors in carpentry, electrical, landscaping, and HVACR with the tools to integrate climate change awareness, eco-friendly practices, and Indigenous perspectives into their courses. By equipping educators with these open educational resources, we're ensuring that graduates across Canada are prepared to tackle nationwide challenges like housing with sustainable and inclusive solutions. The impact of this work goes beyond the classroom—it’s about preparing the next generation of trades professionals to lead the way in affordable and net-zero housing while embracing environmental stewardship and cultural inclusivity. Together, we are building a greener, more sustainable future! 🌱🔧🏠 #GreeningTheTrades #CiCan #NCDATT #SustainableConstruction #GreenBuilding #TradesEducation #FacultyDevelopment #IndigenousPerspectives #CollaborationInAction #MHC #RDP #SIIT #EmpoweringEducators #BuildingTheFuture

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My kids are a long way from starting high school, but I'm thrilled to hear of the recent Ontario high school curriculum developments focusing on financial literacy and career education, particularly the investment of up to $14 million in 2024-25 for career coaching for grade 9 and 10 students in public publicly funded schools. The government says that starting in the next school year, new career coaches “with direct experience in high demand economic sectors" will complement the work of guidance counsellors and teachers in small group sessions of fewer than six. According to Ontario Education Minister, Stephen Lecce, "By elevating life skills in the classroom, along with better career education and higher math standards on educators, we are setting up every student for life-long success. Our bottom line: ensuring students graduate with practical learning that leads them to better jobs and bigger paycheques." ❓ Based on my line of work, I am followed by a lot of undergraduate students. So, I'm curious, undergrads - do you wish you'd had more of this type of practical education during your high school years?

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