UFV eNews
Dec 2009

The UFV eNews is a quick and convenient way for you to keep up with the latest news and events from the University of the Fraser Valley.

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UFV welcomes province’s new
Education Quality Assurance designation

When you’re an international student shopping for a post-secondary school in Canada, it’s tough to make a life-changing decision based on glossy pamphlets, a chat with polished recruiter, and the promise of a vibrant campus thousands of kilometers away.  The BC government’s establishment last week of the new Education Quality Assurance (EQA) designation will help better inform these students and others who choose to come to our province in pursuit of higher education.

The first education brand or seal of quality in Canada, the EQA trademark will be used worldwide to promote high-quality, reputable BC post-secondary institutions. Not only will it result in a standard trademark recognizable worldwide that reduces confusion caused by various quality assurance processes,  but it will also protect BC’s reputation for quality post-secondary education and showcase the province internationally as a preferred place to live, work, and invest.

http://www.ufv.ca/MarCom/newsroom/EQA.htm    

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Thanks for strategic plan input

Many of you have taken us up on the opportunity to provide input for UFV’s new strategic plan. Thanks for taking the time to respond. Look for a draft plan to be ready early in the new year.
http://www.ufv.ca/president/StratPlan0910input.htm  
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Former logger turned UFV student wins Canada Post award
    
Scholarly pursuits such as graduating from high school and beyond turned out to be a short-lived aspiration for UFV student Reid Peters. Instead, Peters excelled at the school of hard knocks, which culminated in workplace injury. His options limited, Peters could have easily thrown in the towel. But rather than give up, the former residential school student and high school drop-out bounced back to become a winner of this year’s Canada Post Aboriginal Education Incentive Award.

http://www.ufv.ca/MarCom/newsroom/ReidPeters.htm  

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UFV introduces new specialty agriculture certificates

UFV  is spreading its agricultural roots by introducing a variety of new certificate programs designed specifically for people who are already, or soon want to be, working on local farms.

While UFV already offers certificate and diploma programs in agriculture as well as a business administration degree in agriculture management, the university realized there is an educational void for people who currently work on farms but don’t have the desire, or time, to go to school full-time.

This fall, UFV launched four new certificate programs. Students can now study part-time to learn about berry production, field vegetable production, integrated pest management, or current agricultural practices.

http://www.ufv.ca/MarCom/newsroom/new_ag_certs.htm  


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Aspiring scientists can now apply to UFV in Grade 11

Students looking to get a head-start on their university science studies can now apply to the University of the Fraser Valley’s Bachelor of Science degree program while still in Grade 11. Early application guarantees these students a seat in the BSc program at UFV once they graduate from Grade 12* and sets them up for priority registration in high-demand courses.

The benefits of getting a foot in the door early are numerous. Students get connected to the university community and are invited to participate in activities put on especially for them, like distinguished speakers panels, summer science retreats, sample classes, seminars, socials, and science career nights. They gain direct access to science professors and advisors at UFV, who can mentor them and help them make the right choices early in their studies.

http://www.ufv.ca/MarCom/newsroom/BSc_early_apps.htm  

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Poinsettia plants replace text books for UFV Agriculture students

Poinsettias are an annual part of the horticulture curriculum at UFV. Raising a plant from a tiny plug to a market-ready product covers a lot of practical learning. The students are taught everything from pest management, to soil health, to marketing skills — all with  poinsettias.

http://www.ufv.ca/MarCom/newsroom/poinsettia_plants.htm  


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UFV Welding students create huge Rotary wheel

Rotary International’s large symbol of the wheel conveys many images… but not usually of university students hoisting welding torches.

This fall, the Abbotsford-Sumas Rotary Club commissioned a group of UFV first-year welding students to produce one of the largest, and for sure the heaviest, Rotary wheels to be found in BC: it measures 12 feet in diameter and weighs 1,400 pounds.

The completed wheel will be installed on the large grassy area beside Highway #1 at the Sumas Road exit to Abbotsford. Luckily, the wheel is designed to break down into two pieces for shipping, but a hoist will be required to position it at the roadside location.

http://www.ufv.ca/MarCom/newsroom/Rotary_Wheel.htm 
 
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Toyota University fuels next generation of skilled tradespeople at UFV
 
Those concerned about the lack of skilled trades people should take note of what companies like Toyota are doing to promote the trades. Toyota Canada representatives were lauded for their in-kind vehicle donations to the University of the Fraser Valley during a recognition event at the university’s Chilliwack campus last Friday.

“Toyota was one of the first automotive companies ever to donate vehicles to us and we are incredibly grateful for their generosity over the years,” says Harv McCullough, UFV dean of trades and technology. “Since the early 1990s, Toyota has donated close to $100,000 worth of vehicles to UFV.

http://www.ufv.ca/MarCom/newsroom/ToyotaUniversity.htm  

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UFV in India

President Mark Evered and acting VP Academic Eric Davis recently made a trip to India to familiarize themselves with UFV's BBA program in Chandigarh and our other activities there. The visit included a visit to the University of Mumbai (which has about 400,000 students), with which UFV has signed a memorandum of understanding. UFV also signed an MOU with  Delhi University, one of the top universities in India. Established in 1922, Delhi University has 79 multi-disciplinary colleges and over 220,000 full time students.
UFV also 2-lakh (~C$4500) in scholarships to students of its highly practical BBA degree program, that has been delivered in Chandigarh since 2006.

http://www.ufv.ca/MarCom/newsroom/Chandigarh_grad_09.htm  


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UFV community takes care of student families at Christmas


Each year, UFV Student Life runs an Angel Tree program, seeking sponsors for student families in need at Christmas.

The UFV community, comprised of faculty, staff, administrators, and students, came together to fill a huge need this year.  There was a substantial increase in applicants for help from last year, with 77 families with a total of 164 children needing sponsorship.  

The trees went up on both campuses on Nov 17. Very little green could be seen through the gold, silver and red of the Angels representing a family in need. By the deadline, all angels had been sponsored either by gifts provided or cash donations to buy the gifts. As well as gifts, each family will receive a food hamper.  


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Upcoming events at UFV

Alumni Appreciation Basketball night — Sat, Jan 9

All alumni invited

Are you a UFV alumnus? Join us for a fun and FREE evening of pizza, beer, basketball and in-game promotions. Come and support the UFV Cascades as they challenge the University of Manitoba Bisons.

The Alumni Association, in partnership with the Athletics department, is hosting the second annual alumni evening of basketball on Jan 9, 2010. UFV alumni are invited to come together in the mezzanine of the Envision Athletic centre for an exciting and free night of fun.

Be sure to RSVP to alumni@ufv.ca. Then come to the mezzanine to register and get your ticket for the game.


UFV Theatre presents Paper Wheat
By 25th St House Theatre, Saskatchewan

This phenomenally successful musical production returns to the UFV stage. First presented here by The Chilliwack Theatre Festival in 1982, Paper Wheat is a cooperative creation by the 25th Street House theatre of Saskatchewan. Paper Wheat follows the struggles of early homesteaders in Western Canada and their gradual realization that isolation and economic helplessness could best be overcome by cooperation in institutions such as the Wheat Pool and the CCF.

Plays Jan 20 to Feb 7
Email theatre@ufv.ca  for tickets.


Keep in touch by watching the news and events listings at www.ufv.ca  .
Follow UFV on Twitter at www.twitter.com/goUFV  or check out our Facebook group.