August 2006
The World of Wilmhurst
August 4, 2006
KAMLOOPS-How many of us would apply for a year-long job halfway across the world?
Geoff Wilmshurst, TRU's Study Abroad program manager, did just that this summer.
In June, he interviewed for a position as TRU's Director of India Programs, overseeing TRU educational delivery in India on a full-time, face-to-face basis in the city of Chandigarh, India. He got the job. He is leaving from the Kamloops Airport Aug. 11.
"At first, the kids gave no response. Then they went into denial, like this couldn't be happening, and now they're in acceptance mode," explained Wilmshurst, who said daughter Carmen, 9, was happy to hear they have horses and a skating rink in Chandigarh while son Jake, 12, is anxious to learn the game of cricket. As for Wilmshurst, "I'm taking my golf clubs."
Moving his family is not such a stretch, said Wilmshurst. "My son has always been very curious about the world," explained Wilmshurst, "and my wife has worked and travelled in many countries. We have a history of moving to some other parts of the world."
Still, it's still far from your average tourist vacation.
"I'm guessing that when I step off the plane, very soon after that I?ll be reviewing applications and recruiting," said Wilmshurst, who will be heading up TRU programs at the Canadian Institute for International Studies (CIIS) in Chandigarh, where he will oversee marketing, recruiting and pre-admission processes, and monitor instructors, ensuring that the school adheres to TRU standards.
"My job in India will have elements of the role of dean and registrar, plus marketer," said Wilmshurst. "It's funny, but part of my job will be to check transcripts, and as soon as I saw an Indian grades transcript, I was taken back to when I was bringing refugee students into Canada when I worked for the World University Service of Canada ten years ago."
TRU programs to be offered at the school include the fourth year of a Bachelor of Technology degree program, Technology Management, TRU's 18-month post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Marketing and the first year of its Bachelor of Technology in Applied Computing Science degree program.
"The big picture of this is I'm going to be the CIIS/TRU liaison, working with CIIS to resolve problems and present TRU's viewpoint to them."
TRU's viewpoint? "To offer a quality program," explained Wilmshurst.
"This is the first time that TRU has sent somebody to represent the university overseas full-time. It's a resident posting, which is new territory for us. We hope to be able to run more India programs and have more TRU faculty going there, and students from there coming here to complete a degree."
Of course Wilmshurst has an eye to potential exchanges. Since his arrival at TRU in 2004, he has built the university's Study Abroad program from about ten students per year going to six destinations, to more than 250. "There are now unlimited opportunities. Virtually every student applying for Study Abroad can go," said Wilmshurst, who will be replaced at the Study Abroad Centre by popular and well-known local travel guru, Jan Petrar.
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Geoff Wilmshurst will be available for interviews from 9 am Tuesday, Aug. 8 through Aug. 10. He may be reached at 250.371.0233.
Photo available on request to Bronwen Scott.
TRU appoints VP, Open Learning
August 14, 2006
KAMLOOPS-Thompson Rivers University has appointed an executive with broad education and business experience as its first Vice-President, Open Learning.
Judith Murray will join TRU from the University of Dubuque in Iowa, where she was special assistant to the president for new business development. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Dalhousie University and a Master of Arts degree from Mount Saint Vincent University, and has more than 20 years of education management experience.
"TRU is very pleased to have attracted such a high-calibre executive to lead our open learning division," said TRU President Roger Barnsley.
"Ms. Murray's extensive experience, coupled with her ability to meet new challenges and create viable, leading-edge enterprises, will help TRU to become a global leader in distance and on-line education."
Murray comes to TRU with 13 years of experience in the public post-secondary sector where she specialized in strategic planning, institutional management, policy formulation, government relations, labour relations, institutional analysis and problem solving. During this time, she held a number of ex officio posts, including membership on the Nova Scotia Council on Higher Education and the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission.
In 1998, she left the public education sector to join a publicly traded, for-profit, education company offering graduate-level IT education. Here she oversaw the development and delivery of educational programs, including the development of an on-line education strategy for the company. In her capacity as Executive Vice-President, Ms. Murray was instrumental in designing and executing a US expansion strategy and helped grow company revenues from $15 million annually to $50 million as she managed more than 225 employees in 12 geographic locations and a budget of $20 million. She also oversaw all matters related to licensing, regulatory and accreditation requirements.
In 2002 Murray moved to Colorado, where she was President and COO of New Ventures in Higher Education, a subsidiary of Regis University. New Ventures specializes in helping colleges and universities offer accelerated adult education programs. At New Ventures, she was instrumental in working with a client institution to establish a highly successful for-profit education corporation specializing in the delivery of bilingual (Spanish-English) accelerated adult degree programs. In addition, she developed a business model for helping colleges and universities offer on-line education.
In 2005, Murray joined the University of Dubuque.
The new VP Open Learning will assume her position at TRU Sept. 1.
TRU, a BC leader in distance and on-line education, assumed responsibility for all programs and services of BC Open University in April, 2005.
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For more information, please contact TRU Office of the President at(250)828.5001.
TRU teaches in Chile
August 14, 2006
KAMLOOPS-What does Chilean government policy have to do with a Canadian university?
A lot if, like Thompson Rivers, the university has a global operation organized to respond quickly to educational needs in other countries.
That's what happened this June when the first woman elected as President of Chile, Michelle Bachelet, said, "We will achieve a more just country only if we can offer quality education," announcing the implementation of eight new educational initiatives, part of the 36 she committed to realizing during the first 100 days of her term.
These policies include larger subsidies for pre-school and primary education, a one-stop system for applying for and receiving aid to attend post-secondary school, programs to improve English education in Chile, and measures to allow more Chilean students and teachers to study abroad.
These last two are where TRU enters the picture; opportunity knocks, and TRU responds.
TRU, through its international education division, TRU World, has been heavily involved in teacher training in the past few years, and further, has a number of initiatives underway in Chile, including tourism education and community projects, English-language training, and study abroad in partnership with the Kamloops Indian Band.
The Chilean president also highlighted "an extraordinary program to offer scholarships to English teachers to allow them to perfect their language skills abroad," adding that "100 Chilean ESL teachers will travel abroad in the second half of this year, to receive further training."
"In many cases, it's too expensive for teachers to come here for training, so we?re taking the mountain to Mohammed," said ESL chair Bruce Thomson. "We have an agreement with the public school system in Vina del Mar, Chile to train their primary school teachers to teach English. So we're sending one of our instructors there now, we'll send more instructors over the course of the two-year agreement, and we're also sending two of our TESL students to do some student teaching there."
TRU's English as a Second Language (ESL) department and TRU World have over 20 years' experience in delivering a variety of ESL programs in Canada and abroad. As well, for the past five years, the university has been delivering EFL teacher training courses to Chinese teachers, along with a pilot TESL program in 2004/05.
TRU's TESL program is certified by TESL Canada, the national organization for ESL professionals, recognized in North America and abroad as a standard of teaching excellence. The program has been offered as a continuing education before, but is now core-funded and offered through the university's ESL department. The first contingent started this May. Two of these students will travel to Chile for their practicum.
The TESL certificate, which includes 200+ hours of instruction and a teaching practicum, can be completed in one full-time semester or on a part-time basis. Foundational courses include Applied Linguistics, Curriculum and Instruction, and Intercultural Studies, and a series of electives that highlight current trends and specialities in TESL will be offered. The teaching practicum will involve classroom observations and practice teaching and will be completed in the ESL classrooms at TRU.
Entry requirements include an undergraduate degree or concurrent enrolment in the Education Department at TRU. The TESL program is designed to include both Canadian and international students so that it can provide a true intercultural experience. Class sizes will be relatively small with 20 students in the content courses and 10 students in each practicum group. The instructors will all hold a minimum of a master's degree in ESL or a related field. The next program starts Sept. 5.
For more information contact TRU ESL Dept chairperson Bruce Thomson at 250.828.5294 or by e-mail.
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For more information, contact Bruce Thomson at 250.828.5294
Parking fees increase Sept. 1
Aug. 25, 2006
KAMLOOPS-TRU reminds students, employees and community members that a facet of a resolution passed by the TRU board of governors in May 2005 will come into effect next month.
Effective Sept. 1, daily parking rates will be $3. Monthly parking passes may also be purchased at a rate of $50/month, while semester parking permits are available for $150/semester.
Despite the increase, TRU remains very competitive compared to other universities, explained TRU finance VP Cliff Neufeld, pointing out that compared to UVic's $340/semester, UBC's $300-$340/semester and UNBC's $240/semester, TRU's $150 is a bargain, more in line with the province's colleges and university colleges.
Countering arguments that the parking rate hike adds an additional burden to cash-strapped students, Neufeld noted that the fee is not mandatory, saying, "It's a user-pay system." Students and employees at TRU pay the same fee for parking.
The university has also actively supported and facilitated alternate means of transportation over the past several years, he explained.
"We'd like to keep the vehicle/student ratio as low as possible," said Neufeld, adding that although government funds certain capital projects and most educational programs, it does not fund or subsidize campus parking.
"We hope students take advantage of the U-Pass as much as possible," said Neufeld. "There are other green alternatives available to our students and employees as well, including a car-pool program facilitated by our Wellness Centre, and a better bike lock-up system, implemented this summer."
Neufeld also hopes that the new on-campus 580-student residence, which will see its first occupants this September, will also help to reduce the need for students to drive to class.
Much of the fee increase goes right back into improvements to the campus' transportation infrastructure, noted Neufeld, with increased surveillance and other lot improvements implemented this past summer.
Parking permit dispensers have also been made more user-friendly. By Sept. 1, new pay-and-display parking meters will have been installed in all parking lots except for Lot M. These new machines will accept quarters, loonies and twoonies in addition to credit cards.
TRU's moratorium on weekend and evening parking fees will also remain in effect this year.
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For more information, please contact:
Cliff Neufeld (VP Finance & Administration): 250-828-5011
Les Tabata (Director, Facilities Services): 250-828-5381
TRU to lead on line program development in chemistry and tourism
Aug. 21, 2006
KAMLOOPS-Thompson Rivers University is the lead institution on two successful BCcampus proposals, one originating from the Faculty of Science, and one from the School of Tourism.
TRU's science and tourism proposals were among 16 successful proposals selected from a total of 55 in 2006.
TRU Sciences aims to develop an integrated laboratory network to allow students to complete science labs online, anytime/anyplace, with shared access to scientific instrumentation, instructional materials and expertise, while Tourism will develop five courses to complete an on line Bachelor of Tourism Management program.
TRU is also collaborating with ten BC post-secondary institutions to revise and update four courses (Adult Basic Education Intermediate Math, Provincial Technical and Professional English, Advanced English and Provincial Biology) for an Adult Basic Education Online Program, and is partnering with UBC and UNBC to develop a virtual teaching tool on specific soil forming processes consisting of four learning objects for use in soil, agriculture, forestry, and natural resource management courses across BC.
Integrated laboratory network (ILN) partners UBC, UNBC, and Western Washington University will meet at TRU Aug. 21 and 22 for an orientation workshop; The group plans to complete the development of and pilot-test new learning and laboratory activities at partner institutions between Sept. 2007 and April 30, 2008, with an evaluation and development of a sustainable business model to be completed by July 31, 2009. Once established, the BC-ILN will allow additional development of tailor-made lecture learning activities and laboratory courses that can be completed through distance offerings. The cost-effectiveness of increased utilization of instrumentation and the sharing of instructional materials and expertise between institutions will provide students with access to a wider spectrum of relevant modern equipment and learning activities to support their education.
"To help us overcome the challenges we see in teaching our analytical chemistry courses as well as expand the choices available for learning by utilizing technology, we will develop and operate an Integrated Laboratory Network (ILN) in the province of BC that will provide online, anytime/anyplace, shared access to scientific instrumentation, instructional materials and expertise to enhance excellence in science education," explained TRU assistant chemistry professor Sharon Brewer.
"This project builds on the successful research collaboration between UBC Pharmacy and Western Washington University (WWU) to develop the ILN concept. We feel that a BC-ILN has significant potential to enhance student learning, access and teaching practice in science programs."
Building on six upper-level online courses for the Bachelor of Tourism Management developed in 2002, TRU's School of Tourism, along with partners Malaspina University College and Capilano College, will develop five additional courses complementary to the completion of the university's tourism degree program related to tourism research methods, management of festivals and events, sport tourism, and community and rural tourism development.
The tourism program team will hold a meeting October 30th, to review of learning outcomes, discuss course design models, track copyrights, and share templates and ideas, with the project due for completion Jan. 30, 2008.
BCcampus, the public post-secondary system's web-based portal that supports educators and connects students to online learning programs and services offered at B.C.'s public institutions, created its annual Online Program Development Fund (OPDF) in 2003 to encourage and support inter-institutional collaboration and partnerships for development of online learning resources to give students access to more programs that will help them complete degrees, diplomas and certificates. Since 2003, $5.5 million has been made available through the BCcampus Online Program Development Fund to institutions for developing online resources.
Once many of these projects have completed their development process producing online learning resources that are now in operational use, they become available for sharing and reuse by others.
BCcampus is also a partner in TRU's "Mapping quality of life and the culture of small cities" project, which received $1,000,000 in funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council earlier this year.
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For more information, visit BC Campus or contact:
Dr. Dave Twynam (Dean, TRU School of Tourism) at 250-371-5861 or by email.
Dr. Sharon Brewer (Assistant Professor, TRU Faculty of Science) at 250-371-5548 or by email.
Ms. Kathryn MacDonald (BCcampus Communications and Partner Relations) at 250-661-8888 or by email.
TRU Foundation tees up for student awards
Aug. 22, 2006
KAMLOOPS-It's a hole-in-one for TRU students, says the Thompson Rivers University Foundation of its first Annual TRU Foundation Charity Golf Classic.
"This event is not just another golf tournament," explains Foundation Development Officer Karen Gamracy. "It promises to be the charity golf tournament everyone hopes for. Participants can look forward to having a great relaxed game of golf, a fabulous deluxe buffet, and surprises for everyone."
An entry fee of $150/person includes golf and 19th-hole deluxe buffet, with tax receipts available.
"Since all net proceeds from this event will be used to support the Foundation's efforts in providing financial aid for TRU students," Gamracy adds, "there's no such thing as a bad game at this tournament. It's the ultimate feel-good, fun event."
Charitable golfers can get tickets by calling 828-5264, or by email or on the web.
The Charity Classic will be held Sept.15 at Sun Rivers Golf Resort, with registration at 11:30 am, followed by a 12:30 pm shot gun start, best ball format.
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Symposium to explore elder housing issues
Aug. 24, 2006
KAMLOOPS-Community members are urged to share their views Sept. 12 at the second annual Aging Symposium, presented by TRU's Aging and Health Research Centre at the Desert Gardens Senior Centre.
"We would like to hear the views of community members, especially older adults and service providers, about housing for older people in Kamloops," said Centre director Wendy Hulko. "After the keynote address, there will be ample opportunity for discussion, through small groups and a closing panel, to find out people's ideas, concerns, and recommendations on housing for older people in our community."
The free event features keynote speaker Charmaine Spencer, a lawyer and research associate in vulnerable populations, whose work focuses on a range of "risk" and older adult issues. A member of Simon Fraser University's Gerontological Research Centre since 1991, Spencer is a leader in housing for older people, and recently completed research on assistive living and discrimination in housing.
"Ms. Spencer's presentation will add a lot to our understanding of the housing issues faced by older adults," said Hulko, who added that a breakout discussion will immediately follow Spencer's talk.
"During the breakout discussion, facilitators will be working with groups to develop housing solutions," explained Hulko. "We hope that this discussion will help to expand our understanding of housing issues and discrimination faced by older adults."
The symposium will also involve responses from the City of Kamloops and the Interior Health Authority following the sharing of themes from the group discussions.
Hulko hopes to have a diverse audience at the symposium, which is sponsored by the TRU Aging and Health Research Centre, the TRU Comprehensive University Enhancement Fund, and the Seniors Outreach Society.
"This event is free, and open to everyone who has an interest in the well being of our community," she said. "This may be someone who is looking at their own housing situation or who is concerned about the development of our community. The symposium hopes to expand our understanding of issues relating to housing especially in later life."
The symposium runs from 2:00 to 5:00 pm at the Senior Centre, which is located at 540 Seymour Street. As refreshments will be provided, prospective participants are asked to RSVP by September 8, 2006 to Jasmin Wright at the TRU Aging and Health Research Centre by phone: 250-828-8776 or by e-mail.
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For more information, please contact Dr. Wendy Hulko, Assistant Professor of Social Work, at 250-377-6130 or by e-mail.
TRU Chorus holds auditions Sept. 5
Aug.25, 2006
KAMLOOPS-The Thompson Rivers University Chorus begins its 2006/2007 season next month.
The chorus is looking for Altos, Tenors, and Basses, both from the community and from TRU students. Prospective members must be able to match pitch and carry an independent part. Rehearsals are Tuesdays from 6:30pm to 9:20pm.
The first rehearsal will be Tuesday, Sept. 5 at the TRU Alumni Theatre (in the Clock Tower building) at 6:30 pm. Only students taking the course, and prospective new community members should attend this rehearsal, where there will be placement auditions.
The first full rehearsal for all members will be on Tuesday, Sept. 12, when the chorus will start work on folk songs from the British Isles and from Asia for concerts in November. The chorus will also be singing the Rutter Requiem with the Kamloops Symphony in the spring.
For more information, please contact John Churchley at 371-5947 or by email.
TRU instructor takes two-year leave to benefit Thai orphans
Aug. 25, 2006
KAMLOOPS- Dave Wharf, heavy-duty mechanics apprentice instructor, is taking a two-year leave to work in Thailand at the El Shaddai 2 orphanage, located at SiRacha, about two hours SE of Bangkok, along with his wife, Terry.
The Wharf's long-term commitment stems from a trip Dave and Terry took to Thailand a couple of years ago for a working vacation to help out at an orphanage. After fundraising back home, the couple returned to Thailand last Christmas to help rebuild the orphanage, which had been condemned.
After spending some more time with the children, Dave and Terry knew they had to go back to Thailand. They have been tirelessly fundraising over the last year to raise the required capital needed to finish off the building, including building beds, cupboards, tables and chairs, and re-building the kitchen, including purchasing a new fridge and stove suitable for 30+ children.
At the same time, the Wharfs will also be guiding the "house parents" as much as possible in the normal day-to-day operations of the orphanage, with a plan to increase the number of children to around thirty. Dave and Terry will also be making trips up to the jungle areas to find orphaned children and bring the back to the home. Most of the children have come from the north (Golden Triangle area). Not only will Dave and Terry be teaching the children English but also some practical trade skills to the villagers and the older children.
Dave and Terry, who are paying for all their own expenses such as rent, food, travel, fuel etc, hope to raise enough money to purchase a fridge and stove for the children, and would very much appreciate donations. As they are leaving for Thailand Sept. 1, they hope that people will send donations to A&D World Missions, PO Box 26010, Lethbridge Alberta, T1H 6H4, and label the donation for El Shaddai 2 children's home. Dave notes that A&D World Missions uses only one per cent of donations for administrative expenses, with the rest going directly to the orphanages. Tax receipts can be issued; please indicate with your contribution if you would like a receipt.
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