Posted on Feb. 17: Senate approves new hope’, programs, appointments
HOPE Chair in Peace Through Health
Senate approved the terms of reference for a HOPE Chair in Peace Through Health, a position that will encompass a broad and comprehensive range of peace and health issues.
The chair holder will engage in academic research, graduate and undergraduate teaching within the Centre for Peace Studies and Population Health Research Institute. The chair will have expertise in the determination of the health impacts of war and health work on violent conflict; in conflict analysis; in the role of political, economic and cultural factors in war-health interactions; and in peace-through-health initiatives.
A selection committee will be established to fill the five-year position.
New programs approved
McMaster's University Senate approved two new programs a combined bachelor and masters in biomedical engineering and a joint distance education course in rehabilitation science.
The first is a combined bachelor of engineering and master's of engineering program in biomedical engineering, offered in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. The program is designed to provide graduates with broad career opportunities in biological sciences, engineering and medical sciences, including entry to medical schools. It consists of a four-year bachelor of engineering program and a one-year master's of engineering program taken in the fifth year.
The master's degree in rehabilitation sciences, offered jointly with the University of British Columbia, is a course-based, distance education master's option within the current rehabilitation sciences master's program. The program will be delivered through Web-based, distance education which will provide practicing occupational therapists and physiotherapists in Canada and worldwide, the opportunity to upgrade their qualifications.
Faculty of Health Sciences establishes two new vice-president positions
In an attempt to enhance the national and international profile of the Faculty of Health Sciences, an associate vice-president (international health) and associate vice-president (clinical services) have been established.
“The decision to expand the role from director of McMaster international health sciences international to associate vice-president international health is a first step in putting our plans into action,” writes dean and vice-president of the Faculty of Health Sciences John Kelton, in a letter to Senate. “Along with providing leadership for international health initiatives within the Faculty of Health Sciences, the position will also lead strategic approaches to developing new opportunities.”
The associate vice-president international health will lead the development of partnerships with international health organizations by identifying and developing international opportunities and promoting the Faculty of Health Sciences internationally. Also, the position will be responsible for the activities of the FHS International Health Office.
The associate vice-president (clinical services) is the senior officer responsible for leading clinical initiatives that impact the faculty at the organizational level. The position will work closely with heads of departments and schools on matters of clinical interest in the faculty, with the associate deans (academic and research) to form an advisory body to the dean and vice-president (health sciences) and with hospital and department chiefs on issues affecting the interface between the faculty and the hospital.
The individuals who will fill these positions is yet to be announced.
