WHITEHORSE—The Government of Yukon, Yukon College and the University of Alberta have signed a memorandum of understanding that outlines the framework for a coordinated approach to identifying and facilitating upcoming projects and initiatives. 

“This memorandum of understanding is a positive step in diversifying programming and educational options available to students in Yukon and Alberta,” Premier Darrell Pasloski said. “Focussing on building science capacity and relationships was a priority identified in Yukon’s 2016 Science Strategy, and this agreement helps us move towards achieving this goal.”

The memorandum of understanding identifies several objectives, including establishing joint research projects, introducing new degree programs and professional certifications, student mobility and staff exchanges and increased programming to encourage public awareness of topics relevant to science in the North. 

WHITEHORSE—Staff at Yukon College are receiving training this month on how to best respond to disclosure from a student or colleague of sexualized assault or harrassment. Front line staff across a number of College departments and all Safety and Security officers will receive this training; it will be expanded to additional staff over the next year.

The two-hour training session will focus on how to lead a supportive conversation with the person disclosing, and informing them of resources available at Yukon College and in the wider community. The session will be led by two College staff with extensive experience in counselling and survivor support and is intended to be phase one of a larger sexualized violence education plan for staff and students.

This training coincides with May being Sexualized Assault Prevention Month and a new sexualized harrassment and assault policy being developed by staff and students.

Scientists at the Yukon Research Centre (YRC) are doing more than just publishing their results – they are sharing their knowledge with students at Eliza Van Bibber School in Pelly Crossing. Researchers have arranged a diverse team of experts to expose high school students to different characteristics of constructed wetlands and their valuable role in water purification, a recently proven technique that could be used at mine sites in their traditional territory.

In partnership with Selkirk First Nation (SFN) and Casino Mining Corporation, Dr. Amelie Janin, Yukon College’s NSERC Industrial Research Chair (IRC) in Mine Life Cycle, is sharing her research with youth so they can benefit from the results.

WHITEHORSE—Yukon College is now accepting applications for a new Aviation Management diploma to be offered in partnership with Alkan Air’s Flight Training Unit. The two-year program is designed for students who wish to obtain a commercial pilot license while simultaneously learning practical business skills relevant to today’s aviation industry.

Students in the 60 credit program will graduate with both a private and a commercial pilot’s licence (30 credits). The remaining 30 credits will consist of 10 courses at Yukon College which must include Wilderness First Aid, Outdoor Pursuits and Leadership and the Yukon First Nations core competency, as well as business courses options, including communications, management, marketing, human resources, and commercial law.

University of Saskatchewan and Yukon College have been awarded a Social Science and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) grant to make climate change research more relevant to northern indigenous communities. This research will combine the disciplines of both science and art to support community adaptation to climate change.

“This project brings together the Yukon School of Visual Arts, the Yukon Research Centre, and University of Saskatchewan’s Social Science Research Laboratory with northern communities to transform local knowledge and science into artistic interpretations of changing northern landscapes”, said Dr. Graham Strickert, Adjunct Faculty with Yukon College and Research Associate with the Global Institute for Water Security. “It is our hope that by combining science and art we will not only better engage with the community but we can creatively explore solutions to our changing climate.”

WHITEHORSE—Yukon College student Alex Therriault is challenging northerners to take a 24-hour fossil fuel diet. The 19-year-old Renewable Resources Management student completed his own diet last month as part of the Climate Change and the Circumpolar World course and it prompted him to switch his main vehicle and eat more local food.

“Our behaviour drives the visible effects of climate change we are seeing all around us in the Yukon right now. I get frustrated and feel helpless, but focusing on my fossil fuel consumption for just one-day really opened my eyes to the fairly basic lifestyle changes we can make to reduce our impact on the world.”

The Renewable Resources Management program student focused on transportation and food during the diet, which encourages participants to both reduce fossil fuel consumption and be more mindful of all the ways fossil fuels are necessary to their lives.

Minister Navdeep Bains today announced an investment of $202,258 to support the creation of an online Atlas of Arctic Resource Development, the first of its kind in the Canadian North and scheduled to launch April 2016.

Developed through the Resources and Sustainable Development in the Arctic network (ReSDA), located at Yukon College, the online Atlas is a sharing tool will make resource development in Yukon more transparent, enabling public access to relevant environmental, scientific, and socio-economic information on major resource development projects in the North. 

WHITEHORSE—The Government of Yukon announced today that it will be extending funding for the Practical Nurse (PN) program at Yukon College to continue for another four years in order to help meet demand for Licenced Practical Nurses (LPNs).

“Continuing our support for locally trained practical nurses reflects our government’s commitment to make Yukon a great place to live, work, play and raise a family,” Minister of Education Doug Graham said. “This funding reflects our commitment to improving Yukoners’ access to health care, preparing Yukoners for jobs, and improving Yukoners’ access to education.”

Starting in the 2016/17 budget, subject to legislative approval, the Yukon government will provide more than $1,950,000 over four years to the College to operate the program from July 4, 2016, to May 29, 2020.

Whitehorse – Yukoners can add up to 3 months to the growing season thanks to a greenhouse design supported by Yukon Research Centre’s Cold Climate Innovation (CCI). Bob Sharp has created a greenhouse kit that makes food production more reliable and economical for Yukoners.

The Solar Growing greenhouse kit has been designed to handle the challenges of northern growing conditions. Sharp created a system that automatically controls extremes in temperature thereby optimizing plant growth. This eight piece kit made of durable materials can be readily assembled.

Four Yukon innovators have been short-listed for the 2016 Yukon Innovation Prize. These finalists will each receive $10,000 to further develop their idea and compete for the grand prize of $60,000.

Cold Climate Innovation at the Yukon Research Centre (YRC) and Government of Yukon’s Economic Development created this prize to support Yukon innovators whose ideas have an environmental or economic benefit to the Yukon.

The selection committee reviewed 28 proposals and chose four finalists whose ideas have high market and commercialization potential in food security and agriculture.