TO THE POINT

U of C helps shape new aboriginal centre

The Canadian Council of Learning has announced that a new Aboriginal Learning Knowledge Centre will be established to conduct and disseminate research on enhancing educational opportunities for aboriginal people.

The U of C, with the Calgary-based First Nations Adult Higher Education Consortium (FNAHEC) and the Saskatoon-based Aboriginal Education Research Centre, are leading the development of the new centre, which will be eligible for up to $1.5 million a year over five years.

“With nearly half the aboriginal population under 30 years of age, it is important that we ensure they have the adequate skills and expertise to enter the labour force,” says Dr. Jim Frideres, U of C sociologist and co-ordinating author of the proposal. More than 50 groups are members of the consortium, including all of the major universities across the Prairies.

Looking for science whizzes

The Alberta Science and Technology Foundation (ASTech) is looking for leading minds at the U of C for its annual awards for excellence. Nominations are now being accepted for the 2006 ASTech Awards, which recognize individuals and organizations involved in outstanding science and technology achievements. A total of six awards and five prizes, totaling $85,000, will be awarded this year in categories that include: outstanding leadership in Alberta science, outstanding leadership in Alberta technology, leaders of tomorrow and outstanding achievement in commercial achievement. The deadline for nominations is May 31. ASTech’s 17th annual awards gala will be held on Nov. 3 in Edmonton. Nomination guidelines can be found at www.astech.ab.ca

Haskayne students make wishes come true

By partnering with Cutco Corporation and its sales division, Vector Marketing, Haskayne marketing professor Derek Hassay’s senior sales management students found out what it’s like to take theory from the classroom and apply it to a real-world sales environment. On April 13, five teams totaling 64 students donated all proceeds from their sales of Cutco cutlery—more than $11,000—to the Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada.

The proceeds will help grant the wishes of two children, Jillian and Bailey, both suffering from high risk and life-threatening illnesses. Hassay introduced this real-world experience to his class last year, raising $3,000 for the Canadian Cancer Society.

Kinesiology wants U to GO2 it

The Faculty of Kinesiology is leading the U of C’s participation in GO2 —a public awareness campaign designed to inspire people to get active. Launched on April 11 by Mayor Dave Bronconnier, GO2 is a reminder that everyone needs to get moving every day, for at least 30 minutes.

According to statistics, 41 percent of Calgarians don’t get nearly enough exercise and as a result are missing out on benefits such as increased energy, stronger muscles and bones, improved posture and balance, reduced stress, prevention of major diseases such as coronary heart disease, type II diabetes, certain cancers, osteoporosis and depression.

The U of C is partnering in this initiative with the Calgary Health Region, the City of Calgary and the Calgary Board of Education. For 30 good ideas on how to stay active, visit the kinesiology website at www.kin.ucalgary.ca and follow the GO2 logo.