Daily News

Posted on Sept. 17: Canada’s innovation strategy develops at McMaster

Business, academic and youth leaders from across Hamilton and the Halton region are at McMaster University today to discuss Canada's innovation strategy. More than 100 attendees, representing area businesses, academic institutions and governments, are participating in facilitated dialogue discussions, a plenary session and hearing from a panel of innovation champions, including Mamdouh Shoukri, vice-president research and Doug Barber, former chair of McMaster's Board of Governors and Distinguished Professor-in-Residence in the Faculty of Engineering. The dialogue sessions are focused on four key themes: knowledge creation and commercialization; innovation policy and regulatory climate; skills and learning; and strengthening community capacity. Participants are discussing local and regional business productivity and spin-off issues, as well as innovation at the community level, while proposing solutions to a number of challenges. Other McMaster participants include President Peter George, Ken Norrie, provost and vice-president academic, Mo Elbestawi, dean of engineering, Chris Bart, director of the Management of Innovation and New Technology research centre in the School of Business and business professor Marvin Ryder.

Posted on Sept. 16: Nominations open for student senators

Nominations for the election of students to University Senate open today. Twelve student positions, one graduate and one undergraduate from each of the six Faculties are sought for Senate the governing body responsible for making decisions on academic policy. "I think it is important for students to consider running for these positions because of the significance of the decisions that are made at the University Senate," says Evan Mackintosh, president of McMaster Students Union. "Students need strong voices at the Senate to ensure that their opinions influence the direction of the institution. McMaster is a student-centred University; therefore, its students must actively participate in the governance of the whole."

Posted on Sept. 16: Security Services cleans house

Security Services will present its annual bicycle auction and lost and found sale on Wednesday, Sept. 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the McMaster University Student Center plaza, outside of Mills Library. This year, there are approximately 35 bikes to be auctioned off. These bikes have been collected and stored by Security Services over the last year. These bikes have no identifiable marking on them, and security services cannot locate an owner. After keeping the bikes for a minimum of 90 days they are auctioned off with all proceeds going to Campus Watch programs. The auction will take place at 12 p.m. Security Services is also hosting a bicycle anti-theft program. This program was created in 1999 when bike theft became a growing concern on campus. This voluntary program is intended to educate and assist the University community in protecting and securing bicycles both on and off the campus. To date, hundreds of bicycles have been registered. This free program involves having the bicycle engraved with a uniquely identifiable number such as the owner's drivers license number. If the bike was stolen, any police agency would be able to locate the owner and return the bike. Also involved in this program is a registration form. This form includes the name, address, description of the bike and serial number. This registration form is kept on file with Hamilton Police Service, and a sticker is placed on the bike to educate others that it is registered with a police service. Security Services will be engraving bikes from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. If unable to attend at that time, bikes can be engraved and registered at the security office in E.T. Clark Center, or the MACycle Co-op office in Wentworth House anytime. During this event, Security Services will also be selling off lost and found items. These items have been held by security services for at least 60 days. Included in these items are text books, clothing, calculators, umbrellas, hats and gloves. Proceeds from these items also go toward Campus Watch programs. Bicycle security tips Always lock your bike to a bike rack Always buy the best quality lock you can afford Lock your bike with two different locks Place as much of the bike as your can through the lock Record the serial number of your bike Have your bike engraved Immediately report any suspicious activity to security Always wear a helmet, for your safety

Posted on Sept. 16: Graduate students in science, engineering invited to scholarship session

Engineering and science graduate and senior undergraduate students take note. An information session being held on campus this week may yield some much-needed and useful scholarship information. Representatives from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) will be on campus Thursday, Sept. 19 to inform students of their scholarship and fellowship programs and to provide advice on the application procedure. The session will run from 8 to 11 a.m. in the Banquet Hall,(Room 319), McMaster University Student Centre. Students are invited to bring questions and to find out more about the programs and procedures. NSERC offers post-graduate scholarships valued at $17,300 to $19,100 annually (for a maximum of two years per category, depending on category of application and qualifications) to high-calibre scholars who are engaged in master's or doctoral programs in the natural sciences or engineering. Candace Robinson, Pat Houston, Eika Vagt, and Reginald Theriault, all from NSERC, will be present for the session. The session is open to all interested engineering and science graduate and senior undergraduate students. For more information about NSERC and its scholarship programs, visit the links below. For more information about the session, contact the School of Graduate Studies, ext. 24234.