Whitehorse – A year ago Sue Starks barely knew how to turn an iPad on. This Friday, she’ll stand in front of educators from across the country to talk about how the popular tablet is transforming the education of practical nurses at Yukon College.

Starks, the co-ordinator for Yukon College’s Practical Nursing Program, and Claire Hills, a clinical instructor, are speaking at a session of the Canadian Association of Practical Nurse Educators in Halifax, Nova Scotia. They’ll be sharing their experience in using hand-held computer tablets in the classroom.

Starks says when five iPads were delivered to the program in September 2010, they weren’t experts by any means.

“We feel very challenged technically,” she says. “We had to figure out how to use them.”

Whitehorse – A respected Yukon elder will be visiting the University of Saskatchewan for three weeks later this month as part of a cultural exchange program supported by Yukon College.

Randall Tetlichi, a member of the Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation and First Nations Support worker at the college’s Ayamdigut Campus in Whitehorse, is going to be USask’s first Elder-in Residence.

During his three-week visit, Tetlichi will be sharing traditional culture and ways of knowing with students, faculty and staff at the University’s School of Environment and Sustainability (SENS).

”I think this is a great opportunity, not only for me but Yukon College,” says Tetlichi. “It will help us have better relations with the University of Saskatchewan. We need to visit and build relations between the College and universities we have partnerships with.”

Associate Certificate in Workplace Conflict now available to learners in the Yukon

JIBC and Yukon College have entered into a partnership to offer JIBC’s Associate Certificate in Workplace Conflict through the College’s Continuing Education and Training.

“Until recently, the relationship between our two organizations was around a credit transfer arrangement, where JIBC recognized five entry level conflict resolution courses delivered by Yukon College to be equivalent to five of ours,” said Laurie McAvoy, Program Coordinator with the JIBC School of Community and Social Justice. “Last year both parties agreed that the time was right to evolve the relationship into a full partnership.”

Whitehorse - Yukon College is embarking on a feasibility study for the establishment of a Centre for Northern Innovation in Mining in the territory.

The yearlong study will be conducted in two phases and overseen by an Advisory Group comprised of industry, government and First Nation representatives.

“Yukon College wishes to establish an education, training and research centre that will offer accredited programming in mining and related technology and conduct - in collaboration with industry partners and other research institutions - applied research projects that will help increase the competitiveness of the territory’s mining industry,” said Yukon College President Karen Barnes.

The study’s first phase will involve information gathering, consultation with the territorial and First Nation governments, non-governmental organizations, communities and industry.

An innovative insulated wall designed by Yukon College is being integrated into the newest Habitat for Humanity’s triplex project and is engineered for the Northern climate. The featured wall system uses high efficiency spray foam insulation while holding an R60 value and a reduced wall thickness. Whitehorse’s building code requires walls to be a minimum of R28. The foam design reduces construction labor and other material costs while simplifying the building process. The economizing extends to the new homeowners who will benefit by reduced heating costs.

Zach Kuzma is one student at Yukon College who started his semester off with a school supply that he is very happy to tote around in his backpack. Thanks to Meadia Solutions from Whitehorse, Kuzma is now the new owner of an IPad. Kuzma won the IPad by participating in the orientation events. The Fall Orientation is an annual event of activities that introduces students to college facilities, services, and peers. By participating in the informative and fun activities, Kuzma heightened his chances of winning the grand prize of a laptop. Owner, Trevor Mead-Robbins was on hand to present the anticipated prize to the happy winner along with President Karen Barnes.

Yukon College’s Continuing Education and Training has developed new packaging in its delivery of adult education programs and courses that will make learning more flexible and accessible. Responding to the needs of adults with busy work schedules, Continuing Education and Training has developed tools that will facilitate lifelong learning opportunities for all Northerners.

Continuing Education and Training produced a color glossy course guide that offers both programs and courses and is available at many locations in Whitehorse, 11 community campuses, and by direct mail at certain locations. To receive a course guide by mail, interested individuals may call 668 5200. Course offerings may also be found online along with the Continuing Education and Training’s newest educational partner, ed2go, which offers state-of-the-art virtual classroom learning.

For immediate release   | September 1, 2011

Orientation Day Activities Kick Off College Fall Semester

Whitehorse – Students will have a day to prepare themselves for their fall programs on Tuesday, September 6 during Yukon College’s annual Orientation event. The Opening Ceremony, to be held in the Kinnikinnick Kaf at 9am will welcome students and staff over coffee and muffins. The day has been organized into activities to get students informed and ready for the new school year such as information and assistance on funding, safety, learning and writing skills, counseling services, and accessing library and computer services. There are several opportunities to win prizes. The barbeque lunch will be served by dignitaries and the day ends with a closing ceremony campfire at the outdoor learning area, Roddy’s Camp. Orientation events continue until September 14 and are geared at getting students interested in extra-curricular college and community activities.

Yukon College is receiving close to $1 million in core funding from the Government of Yukon to support the mandate of the Yukon Cold Climate Innovation Centre (YCCIC).

“This funding furthers the research conducted by the Cold Climate Innovation Centre, which will assist Yukon companies in overcoming challenges posed by a cold-weather climate by developing technologies that meet the needs of Yukon industry, government and people,” Economic Development Minister Steve Nordick said.
 

The Government of Yukon is providing $960,896 to enable the ongoing development of YCCIC, which includes the related Yukon Technology Innovation Centre.
Examples of projects undertaken by YCCIC include:

Graham Rudge, a student at the Yukon School of Visual Arts (YukonSOVA), has won a $2500.00 recognition award in the BMO 1st Art! Invitational Student Art Competition.  Rudge’s piece, titled, “Circuit Skull”, was among 250 entries from post-secondary visual arts schools across the country. The piece was chosen along with 12 other finalists, representative for each province and territory.

Rudge fabricated the skull with a mosaic of recycled computer circuit components and speakers to make it a functional 3-D piece. Part of the YukonSOVA curriculum includes working with recycled items from the Dawson City landfill.  “Circuit Skull” is a commentary on the issue of the emerging human bond with technology.