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February 26, 2003

UVIC FIRST IN BC TO OFFER BACHELOR OF SOFTWARE ENGINEERING

UVIC Press Release

February 20, 2003 – Software is ubiquitous and central to everyday life. It drives computer games, online services, office services and control systems in cars. Beginning this fall, the UVic faculty of engineering will be offering a full undergraduate degree program in software engineering. Graduates of this new program will design software that is reliable, efficient and effective in critical safety systems as well as desktop computers.

Software engineering involves the design, implementation, testing and maintenance of software applications and software dependent systems. Software engineering covers not only the technical aspects of building software systems, but also addresses management issues. As a discipline, it is a cornerstone of the information technology sector and a significant factor in our economy.

“UVic has offered software engineering courses since 1980 and degree options since 1998,” says Dr. Michael Miller, dean of engineering. “As of September, we will be expanding our offerings to a full degree program so that UVic students will be able to even better prepare themselves for careers as software engineers.”

The UVic bachelor of software engineering (BSENG) program includes eight academic terms and 16 months of co-operative education (co-op) that combines practical on-the-job experience with university studies. Not only does co-op complement the academic component of the program, it also helps students determine their long term career plans and helps finance their education.

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Students can enter the BSENG program directly from high school or transfer from a university college. Entrance scholarships are available. For more information visit www.bseng.uvic.ca.

FIRST GERONTOLOGY RESEARCH CENTRE IN SASKATCHEWAN LAUNCHED

University of Regina News Release

The province’s first gerontology research centre was launched today at the University of Regina. The Centre on Aging and Health (CAH) will be a focal point for research and expertise that addresses the health issues of the aging population in Saskatchewan and Canada.

“The Centre on Aging and Health is further evidence of the dynamic and innovative work being done at the University of Regina. We are developing a strong research culture and health research is one of the areas identified for special emphasis. The work at the Centre on Aging and Health will increase our knowledge in gerontology, an area that is critical to future health care provincially and nationally,” says Dr. Allan Cahoon, Vice-President (Research and International) at the University of Regina.

The North American population is aging, and 20 per cent of the Canadian population will be over the age of 65 by 2021, compared to the current 12.7 per cent. In Saskatchewan, the percentage of seniors is 14.6 per cent, higher than any other province.

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The CAH has also established the Committee for Aboriginal Health and Aging Research to encourage more research into Aboriginal health needs and aging. This is an area where very little research has been done but where there is a great need for more knowledge.

To visit the Web site of the Centre for Aging and Health go to:
http://uregina.ca/hadjistt/centre_index.htm

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YORK U. LAUNCHES GLOBAL RESOURCE CENTRE ON CITIZENSHIP STUDIES

TORONTO, January 15, 2003 — With Canadian scholars in the forefront of international research on the changing nature of citizenship world wide, York University today established the Citizenship Studies Media Lab (CSML) as a Canadian headquarters and global clearing house for research. It is directed by Engin Isin, York professor of social science and holder of the Canada Research Chair in Citizenship Studies.

The CSML Web site will begin delivering some of its services and information by spring 2003. You can visit the site at http://csml.calumet.yorku.ca.