Assiniboine Community College

About: Assiniboine Community College is a education organization based out in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Academic integrity & Higher education. The organization has 25 authors who have published 24 publications receiving 235 citations.

The roles of apoptosis, autophagy and unfolded protein response in arbovirus, influenza virus, and HIV infections

Abstract: Virus infection induces different cellular responses in infected cells. These include cellular stress responses like autophagy and unfolded protein response (UPR). Both autophagy and UPR are connec...

Community Development to Feed the Family in Northern Manitoba Communities: Evaluating Food Activities based on Their Food Sovereignty, Food Security, and Sustainable Livelihood Outcomes

Abstract: This article explores food-related activities and their impacts on sustainable livelihood assets, food sovereignty, and food security, and provides insight for future food-related community development. Analysis is based on community food assessments conducted in 14 Northern Manitoba communities and included a food security survey, price survey, and interviews. The lack of community control over development in First Nation and other Northern remote and rural communities in Northern Manitoba is found to undermine both food sovereignty and sustainable livelihoods, while creating high levels of food insecurity. According to logit models, sharing country foods increases food sovereignty and sustainable livelihoods, and has a stronger relationship to food security than either road access to retail stores in urban centres or increased competition between stores. The model predicts that rates of food insecurity for a community with a country foods program and with access to public transit and roads at 95% would be lower than the Canadian average of 92%. RESUME Cet article explore les activites relatives a l’alimentation et leur impact sur les biens durables ainsi que sur la souverainete et la securite alimentaires tout en ouvrant des perspectives sur le developpement communautaire futur relatif a l’alimentation. L’analyse se fonde sur une recherche menee dans quatorze communautes du nord du Manitoba et comprend un premier sondage sur la securite alimentaire, un second sondage sur les prix, et des entrevues. Le manque de controle du developpement dans les communautes reculees du nord du Manitoba, tant autochtones que non-autochtones, mine a la fois la souverainete alimentaire et les moyens d’existence durables tout en provoquant de hauts niveaux d’insecurite alimentaire. Selon un modele Logit, le partage d’aliments locaux permet une souverainete alimentaire et une autonomie durable tout en ayant un meilleur impact sur la securite alimentaire que celui obtenu par l’acces routier aux supermarches des centres urbains ou par une concurrence accrue entre detaillants. Le modele indique meme que les taux d’insecurite alimentaire pour une communaute rurale ayant un programme de nourriture locale et l’acces au transport en commun seraient, a 95%, inferieurs a la moyenne canadienne de 92%.

The Paradox of Faculty Attitudes toward Student Violations of Academic Integrity

Abstract: This study investigated faculty attitudes towards student violations of academic integrity in Canada using a qualitative review of 17 universities’ academic integrity/dishonesty policies combined with a quantitative survey of faculty members’ (N = 412) attitudes and behaviours around academic integrity and dishonesty. Results showed that 53.1% of survey respondents see academic dishonesty as a worsening problem at their institutions. Generally, they believe their respective institutional policies are sound in principle but fail in application. Two of the major factors identified by faculty as contributing to academic dishonesty are administrative. Many faculty members feel unsupported by their administration and are reluctant to formally report academic dishonesty due to the excessive burdens of dealing with paperwork and providing proof. Faculty members also cite unprepared students and international students who struggle with language issues and the Canadian academic context as major contributors to academic dishonesty. This study concludes with recommendations for educators and recommendations for future research.

Evaluating the Use of a Low-Cost Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Platform in Acquiring Digital Imagery for Emergency Response

Abstract: This research project evaluates the utilization of a low-cost Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) digital imaging platform developed in Manitoba, Canada for emergency response situations. Such a platform allows for the timely acquisition of high resolution imagery during emergency situations by personnel with relatively limited UAV flight training.

Qatar’s English Education Policy in K-12 and Higher Education: Rapid Development, Radical Reform and Transition to a New Way Forward

Abstract: The State of Qatar is a small peninsula in the Arabian Gulf that remained relatively unknown outside the region from its independence from Britain in 1971 until the late 1990s. An ambitious education reform and development program, on a scale—and at a speed—rarely if ever seen before, has seen Qatar go from a few schools and no universities at independence to a comprehensive K-12 system, three technical colleges and 15 universities (at the time of writing), most housed Education City, that combine the best of foreign education with local institutions. Education reform at all levels is fraught with difficulty in every country and has a long record of failure in most jurisdictions. It is not surprising then, that Qatar’s English for a New Era reform (EFNE), launched in 2002, came under heavy local criticism for rapidly instituting English as the medium of instruction in the K-12 system and for a failure to deliver promised improvements. In 2012, as a result of these perceived failures the Rand Corporation, author of the reform, did not have its contract with Qatar renewed. At the same time, the medium of instruction at the K-12 level reverted to Arabic. Similarly, simmering discontent with the dominance of English in higher education—and the perceived primacy of the imported education institutions—resulted in Qatar University officially becoming Arabic medium of instruction in many subjects. Therefore, Qatar is now at a policy crossroads. Does the leadership maintain the remaining EFNE reforms in the K-12 system now that Arabic has been restored to prominence? Do the Education City universities continue their dominance of higher education while continuing to be fully funded by the State of Qatar? At present, it seems that Qatar intends to stay the course and concentrate on a reform of teacher education in order to boost the number of Qatari teachers and to further improve the school system. Given that EFNE was producing improvements, albeit more slowly than desired, this seems like the prudent course. However, the Supreme Education Council, the body that oversees all levels of education in Qatar is known for making massive changes or reversal of policy with extreme rapidity. Therefore, only time will answer the question: “Whither education policy in Qatar?”