News

TD Bank Group invests $400K in support of Yukon business incubator 

October 28, 2020

Yukon University’s Innovation & Entrepreneurship (I&E) is launching a Yukon business incubator, thanks to a $400K contribution from TD Bank Group. Over the next four years, this early-stage business incubation program, IncubateNorth, will support entrepreneurs throughout the territory to grow their businesses locally, nationally, and internationally. 

The IncubateNorth team will work with each successful applicant to develop a 12 to 18-month program specific to the needs of the entrepreneur. The incubator will offer shared workspace, support and programming for applicants to gain the skills and knowledge needed to grow their business within and beyond the Yukon. IncubateNorth is Canada’s first regional incubator and will be available remotely for Yukon communities.  

Innovation and Entrepreneurship receives funding to support social enterprise

October 7, 2020

Yukon University’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship (I&E) is supporting social enterprise throughout the territory thanks to funding from the Government of Canada’s Sustainable Development Goals Funding program. 
 
I&E will use this funding to raise awareness about the benefits of social enterprise and support Yukon businesses to incorporate sustainable development goals (SDG’s) into their business practices. This support will address the needs of businesses new to sustainability practises, as well as further enhance Yukon businesses that have already adopted one or more sustainable development goals into their social enterprise. 
 

Jamena James Allen named chancellor of Yukon University

October 6, 2020
Jamena James Allen

WHITEHORSE, YT—The Yukon University board of governors is pleased to announce Jamena James Allen as the new chancellor of Yukon Unive

New program launched to help bolster Yukon tourism operators

September 23, 2020

WHITEHORSE, YT: The tourism industry will be the industry hit hardest and longest by the effects of COVID-19. TIA Yukon has created a unique partnership with Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Yukon University, Yukon First Nation Culture and Tourism Association and the Wilderness Tourism Association of the Yukon to bring Yukon’s tourism industry the Yukon Elevate Tourism Program (ELEVATE).

YukonU in the News: Sept 2020

September 22, 2020

Recent media stories of YukonU students, researchers and faculty.

Climate change is causing more rain in the North. That’s bad news for permafrost
The Narwhal (Aug. 20)

Dr. Fabrice Calmels shows a retrogressive permafrost thaw slump on the Alaska Highway
The Weather Network (Sept. 4)

It’s a quiet new world at Yukon University
Whitehorse Star (Sept. 2)

Students begin Fall 2020 classes
CBC News Network (Sept. 6)

Practical Nurse students prepare to enter workforce challenged by COVID-19
CBC Northbeat (Sept. 14)

Yukoners invited to join national dialogue on anti-Black racism in higher education

September 21, 2020
Black Canadian post-secondary leaders

WHITEHORSE, YT—Yukon University is joining universities and colleges across Canada in a series of national dialogues to facilitate concrete actions for change in higher education

YukonU president resigns; VP Maggie Matear appointed interim president

September 16, 2020

WHITEHORSE, YT—Yukon University board chair David Morrison announced today that president Dr. Mike DeGagné has resigned his position. 

“We are disappointed that Dr. DeGagné is unable to continue as president but respect his decision,” said David Morrison, chair of the Yukon University Board of Governors.  

“It is with a heavy heart that I have made this decision. Yukon University is a fantastic institution. There is much to be proud of here. Yukon and Canada are fortunate to have such dedicated faculty, staff and executives working hard to make a difference for students, northerners and all Canadians,” said Dr. DeGagné. 

Effective immediately, the Yukon University Board of Governors has appointed Vice President University Services Dr. Maggie Matear as interim president and vice chancellor. 

UPDATED: Ayamdigut campus returns to restricted access due to potential COVID-19 exposure

September 1, 2020

UPDATED Sept. 3:

Bursary now supports six students thanks to generosity of Flaherty family and friends

August 31, 2020
Paul Flaherty

WHITEHORSE, YT — A student award that supported a single bursary of $500 annually will now support six students each year. This is thanks to the generosity of friends, family and two corporate donations. 
 
Paul and Helen Flaherty created the bursary in 2016 while Paul served as Yukon College Board of Governors chair. The award supports students engaged in university prep courses, which many know as upgrading, with the intention of enrolling in a credit program. 
 
From Paul’s time on the board, hearing directly from students on challenges they face in their educational journeys, he and Helen saw how precarious this first step of returning to post-secondary education can be. They endeavoured to support and encourage students at this initial stage.

Industrial disturbances are contributing to decline of boreal caribou  

August 31, 2020
Boreal caribou. Photo credit: Gabriel Rivest

 A research paper released this month confirmed that significant declines in boreal caribou herds over the past 30 years are due to habitat disturbance. “Boreal Caribou Can Coexist with Natural but Not Industrial Disturbances”, was published in the Journal of Wildlife Management by five co-authors including Yukon University and University of Alberta professor, Dr. Fiona Schmiegelow. The paper concludes that caribou can persist with wildfire but will continue to decline in disturbed areas as a result of cumulative industrial activities if preventative or mitigative actions are not taken. 

YukonU ensuring in-person supports available throughout Fall semester; orientation via video

August 28, 2020
physical distance marker

WHITEHORSE, YT—With most credit program instruction taking place online in the Fall semester, YukonU is ensuring students can access in-person academic and personal supports at all 13 campuses.  

“We know the shift to online learning due to COVID-19 comes with the loss of social contact and sense of community on campus. We expect students to be in greater need of in-person supports than ever before, so this is where our focus will be,” said Dr. Janet Welch, vice president Academic and Student Services.  

“To protect the health and safety of students, employees and their loved ones, we can’t offer in-person classes, but we want credit students to know that campus supports are here for them,” added Welch. 

Minto Explorations joins Yukon University’s Northern Mine Remediation Consortium 

August 5, 2020
Minto mine site

Yukon University welcomes Minto Explorations to the Northern Mine Remediation program’s Yukon Mining Research Consortium. Minto Explorations will be the seventh industrial partner to join the Consortium and the first member operating an active mine in the Territory.  

YukonU’s Northern Mine Remediation program is a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) Industrial Research Chair program dedicated to solving northern mining challenges as identified by the local industrial partners. The Consortium has directed the Chair, Dr. Guillaume Nielsen, to focus the research program on passive water treatment technologies, mine waste management, mine revegetation, and community engagement.