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Posted on Feb. 19: University lauds federal government’s research innovation budget

McMaster University welcomes the federal government's commitment to boost research funding and support the development of tomorrow's innovative researchers with more graduate scholarship initiatives. University President Peter George said the budget recognizes the importance of making investments in learning and discovery. The government's focus on students and researchers will have significant payback for McMaster, one of Canada's top three research-intensive universities, and Canada, he noted. "I'm especially pleased that the government has sent an important signal that increasing the number of graduate students is a vital component to our long-term success," President George said. "Graduate students are key to developing tomorrow's researchers and the highly skilled personnel Canada needs to be competitive in a global economy. The federal government has shown leadership in supporting university-based research that will benefit all Canadians." Mamdouh Shoukri, McMaster's vice-president research & international affairs, said he was encouraged to see the government has committed itself to implementing its Innovation Strategy with support for indirect costs of research and more money for federal granting councils. The federal budget, unveiled in Ottawa Tuesday, calls for: A permanent contribution for indirect research costs An increase of $125 million per year for the federal granting councils Establishment of the Canada Graduate Scholarships to support 2,000 new master's and 2,000 new doctoral students each year Increased support for the Canada Foundation for Innovation and Genome Canada "McMaster is especially pleased to see the commitment to the National Research Council, for its support of the Atacama Large Millimetre Array astronomy project, which McMaster is involved in, and the development of the regional innovation centres," Shoukri said. "This is an opportunity to continue our work with our industry partners, other institutions and governments on initiatives in biotechnology and in materials and manufacturing."

Posted on Feb. 17: No classes during reading week

Finding a parking spot and getting a coffee in the morning may be a little easier this week. This is reading week at McMaster, and many students have either gone south, gone home or are hitting the books to catch up on assignments or reading. No classes are scheduled Feb. 17-21, although all University facilities are open. Classes and labs resume Feb. 24. Hospitality Services is reducing its hours of operations. Click here for a full schedule of reading week hours.

Posted on Feb. 17: Work groups present reports to steering committee, strategic planning process moves forward

McMaster's strategic planning process continues to move forward with the submission last week of reports from six working groups to the steering committee overseeing the process. Called "Refining Directions," the planning exercise was begun in the fall and is intended to further refine the University's strategic plan ("Directions") introduced seven years ago. On Tuesday, Feb. 11, the Refining Directions Steering Committee, chaired by University provost Ken Norrie, received reports from six working groups on aspects of University activities. The groups, each consisting of anywhere from 10 to 15 people from various areas of campus, have been meeting since last fall to study six main areas: research and graduate education, undergraduate education, external activities, internal community, planning and managing, and branding. To view the complete list of work group members, click here . "I'm delighted with the work group reports and with the excellent themes and topics that are being discussed and addressed," says Norrie. "This planning exercise is extremely important for the future of McMaster. The work of these six groups will help to inform all of us at McMaster as we begin our planning for the years beyond the double cohort. We know that this is a busy time for everyone and so we are especially grateful for the efforts made by each member of the six Work Groups to this planning process. Your commitment and service to McMaster is greatly appreciated," says University President Peter George. Themes and recommendations contained in the groups' reports will be synthesized by the steering committee and incorporated into a draft planning report.

Posted on Feb. 14: Blue movies for the birds

Are birds turned on by blue movies? Apparently so. New research by McMaster University PhD student Alex Ophir shows that female quails that initially weren't interested in a particular male quail have their interest piqued by watching a short video of that quail frolic with another female. "We found that she's spending more time with the male who she didn't initially show interest in," said Ophir, who is in the final stages of his psychology studies. "She recognizes the bird who starred in the blue movie and now she's attracted to him. "She can tell whether the male she sees in real life was the male she saw in the video," said Ophir, whose research focuses on mate choice and sex behaviour. "What we've found is that watching the video will increase her preference for the copulating male. She can distinguish between the quail male Tom Cruise and the quail male Mel Gibson."

Posted on Feb. 13: Call for Nominations: 2003 President’s Awards for Excellence in Teaching

This year marks the 11th anniversary of the President's Awards for Excellence in Teaching, which are designed to recognize outstanding contributions to teaching and learning at McMaster University. The awards demonstrate the value McMaster attaches to its educational function and recognize those who, through innovation and commitment, have significantly enhanced the quality of learning by McMaster students. All full-time and part-time faculty (including those on contract) are eligible. The President's Award for Course or Resources Design. This award recognizes the contribution of an individual, or of a group, to education through innovation and achievement in the design of a course or program of studies, or in the design of educational materials. The President's Award for Instruction. This award recognizes the contribution of an individual to education through innovation, achievement or continuing excellence in classroom or personal instruction. The President's Award for Educational Leadership. This award recognizes the contributions of an individual that more generally promotes excellence in teaching and learning. The contributions in question may not influence any single course or program directly but have effects well beyond the nominee's own department. The Award Each of the awards consists of: A citation of excellence and memento to be presented at the Spring Convocation; An honorarium in the amount of $5,000; An inscription of the recipient's name on McMaster's Wall of Recognition. Nomination Procedure Nomination forms are available in all departmental offices, from the Centre for Leadership in Learning, and can be downloaded from the following url: http://www.mcmaster.ca/cll. Nominations should be submitted by March 7, 2003 to: Dr. J.A. Johnson Chair of the Selection Committee The President's Awards for Excellence in Teaching c/o The Office of the President Gilmour Hall, Room 238 For more information or assistance in preparing a nomination, contact the Centre for Leadership in Learning, General Sciences Building, Room 217, ext. 24540.

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Posted on Feb. 19: University lauds federal government’s research innovation budget

Posted on Feb. 17: No classes during reading week

Posted on Feb. 17: Work groups present reports to steering committee, strategic planning process moves forward

Posted on Feb. 14: Blue movies for the birds

Posted on Feb. 13: Call for Nominations: 2003 President’s Awards for Excellence in Teaching

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