Lakehead University and community collaborators demo new prototypes

(May 19, 2010 " Thunder Bay, ON) Today, members of Lakehead University's Faculty of Engineering, alongside community collaborators, gathered to showcase prototypes of three innovative new software systems that may one day be used to share data more effectively and efficiently in the education and health care realms. The three projects are respectively entitled "Northern Lights," "Mobile Platform for Health Care Monitoring," and "Context-Aware Smart Learning Spaces."

The "Northern Lights" project is a multidisciplinary collaboration between Lakehead University's Department of Software Engineering, the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC) and the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM). The main objective in the project is to improve inter-professional care and medical education through the development of new text-based collaborative tools, which manage and share electronic medical records between caregivers. Northern Lights is based on a new domain-specific language (DSL) which standardizes textual representation of medical records. NOSM and the TBRHSC are ideal community partners to help deploy and refine the platform due to their smaller team sizes, openness to new documentation systems, and drive to become leaders in medical academics, inter-professional care, and education. The natural synergy between software engineering and medical practice is crucial in this effort, and will shape the technological infrastructure that will be created.

The "Mobile Platform for Health Care Monitoring" project/initiative encompasses research, design, and implementation of a mobile health monitoring system that is geared toward non-critical hospital patients who still require some degree of monitoring. It introduces a ubiquitous system that allows health care personnel to remotely monitor patients outside of the hospital, and ultimately provides tremendous financial savings to the health care industry and allows non-critical patients, who have partial autonomy and mobility, to be discharged from hospitals. Lakehead's Software Engineering Department has successfully created a prototype for mobile health care monitoring that seamlessly integrates vital data from various health sensors. It identifies the health status of a patient and takes appropriate measures for timely support by medical staff.

"Context-Aware Smart Learning Spaces" is a cost-effective infrastructure for smart learning spaces that provides a learner-centred, service-based architecture which transforms existing learning spaces, such as classrooms, computer labs, meeting rooms, and hallways, into intelligent and ambient learning environments. This is achieved by blending optimally configured, inexpensive technologies that in turn perceive learners' locations and schedules, identify current learning activity, recommend learning resources, and enable effective peer-collaboration and resource sharing. Built to enable enhanced instruction in various learning setups, it utilizes infrared technology to support formal, informal, and collaborative learning through a variety of handheld devices.

"These are cutting-edge systems and helpful features that will save educators and medical personnel time and money, and they'll provide greater service to users and clients," says Dr. Rachid Benlamri, Chair of Lakehead's Software Engineering Department and Supervisor of all three projects. Dr. Henri Saliba, Dean of Lakehead University's Faculty of Engineering, adds that, "these are the kinds of technologies and community partnerships that keep Lakehead University competitive with other engineering schools. Technology is forever advancing, and research in this field must keep users up to speed with their equipment, their clients, and the tasks they face as part of their daily lives."

Community partnerships are an integral facet of Lakehead University's research excellence. Dr. Rui Wang, Vice-President (Research), Lakehead University, emphasises the pivotal role that partnerships played in developing the Northern Lights prototype. "Without the funding and guidance NOSM and TBRHSC provided throughout every stage of this application's development, this project would not be at the stage or of the quality it is today. We are forever grateful for the valuable community input and collaboration our researchers can leverage in the advancement of their work."

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MEDIA: Various researchers and collaborators are available for media interview. To arrange interviews, please contact Heather Scott, Lakehead University Communications Officer (Thunder Bay), at 807-343-8177 or commun@lakeheadu.ca.

About Lakehead
Lakehead is a comprehensive university with a reputation for innovative programs and cutting-edge research. With a main campus located in Thunder Bay, Ontario and a campus in Orillia, Ontario, Lakehead has over 7,700 students and 2,250 faculty and staff, and is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. In 2006, Research Infosource Inc. named Lakehead University Canada's Research University of the Year in the undergraduate category. For more information on Lakehead University, visit www.lakeheadu.ca

Lakehead University's Centre for Northern Studies is pleased to sponsor a one-day international conference hosted by the Canadian International Council (CIC) - Thunder Bay Branch. The conference discusses the changing economy of Northwestern Ontario in a globalized world.

Northern Communities in a Changing World: Towards a Better Understanding of Global Competition in a Transnational Environment takes place at the Finnish Labour Temple on May 25.

See the Lakehead University Calendar of Events to learn more.

Lakehead University - Orillia Staff and Students are participating in the Heart & Stroke Big Bike in support of the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

The Orillia event will take place at Couchiching Beach Park, near the intersection of Bay and Jarvis Streets on May 19, 2010.

The Big Bike is one of the Heart and Stroke Foundation's most FUN-raising fundraising events. Causing a commotion wherever it goes, the event is named after the BIG 30-seat BIKE. Teams made up of 29 enthusiastic riders and one driver (provided by the Heart and Stroke Foundation) pedal through over 200 communities, across nine provinces raising funds, attention and laughs along the way.

You can help raise funds for the Heart and Stroke Foundation by sponsoring the team online. Just click this link to access the secure pledge page. When you click on the link you will be taken to the Lakehead University team donation page where you can make a secure online credit card donation.

The Heart and Stroke Foundation leads the way in protecting the health of millions at risk of heart disease and stroke. One in three deaths in Canada are due to heart disease and stroke.

Lakehead University and Confederation College
develop joint program agreement

(May 13, 2010 " Thunder Bay, ON) Lakehead University and Confederation College have partnered to offer an "applied" Environmental Water Management stream to the University's existing Water Resource Science program. Effective September 2010, this new program element will provide students with a more comprehensive and hands-on learning experience, which representatives from both institutions fully expect will create enhanced career opportunities for those who complete the four-year degree.

University and College officials view this program as an investment on a number of levels. "The benefits of this program are many," says Lakehead University President Dr. Fred Gilbert. "Upon graduation, students will be better prepared for the workforce given the extensive practical and theoretical backgrounds they will have acquired in the areas of environmental management and remediation. This program is particularly applicable to water issues surrounding the more northerly communities in this region. It also provides another opportunity for the College and the University to combine their faculty and facilities in ways that complement each other, creating a specialized program better than either could mount independently." Confederation College President Patricia Lang adds, "Both institutions are deeply committed to meeting the educational needs of our students. In addition to the theory and practice that lies at the foundation of this field of study, practical learning situations, during which students will have access to field-specific equipment and facilities, provide students with the best of both worlds when it comes to post-secondary learning and opportunity."

Over the course of the four-year degree, students spend their first year at Lakehead University where they learn basic scientific concepts. During their second year of study, students attend Confederation College and become immersed in applying theory and concepts to practice while using state-of-the-art equipment, including a scaled-down and computer-controlled version of Thunder Bay's water treatment facility. During this time they also learn field sampling and data collection techniques, using the equipment they may be expected to operate upon entering the workforce after graduation. In their third and fourth years, students return to Lakehead University to take the same upper level science courses as the Water Resource Science students who aren't enrolled in the integrated stream, while undertaking comprehensive scientific study in the form of an Honours thesis.

"This is a great pathway for students wishing to combine strengths of a college and university education," says Joe Vieira, Dean of the School of Engineering, Technology and Trades at Confederation College. "Graduates of this program will be well prepared for their future careers."This integrated program's curriculum also raises student awareness of related environmental law and regulations, focusing especially on water and waste water, waste management, and industry, which Dr. Andrew Dean, Dean of Lakehead University's Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies, notes are very important. "Regulations are becoming more stringent and there is a growing need to have well educated professionals who can utilize the newest techniques when monitoring the security and safety of our water supply. This integrated degree combines the very solid theoretical program of an Honours Water Resource Science degree from Lakehead University with the hands-on training that is provided by the Environmental Technician program at Confederation College."

Upon successful completion of this program, students receive an Honours Bachelor's degree in Water Resource Science from Lakehead University, an Environmental Technician Diploma from Confederation College, and can write exams to be eligible for their Water and Wastewater Operator-in-Training and Entry-Level Drinking Water Operator certifications from the Province.

The Integrated degree builds on the articulation agreement signed last year between the University and the College, which allows qualified Environmental Technician graduates to get a full year's worth of credit towards the Water Resource Science degree.

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MEDIA: Dr. Gilbert, Patricia Lang, Dr. Dean, and Joe Vieira are available for media interview. To arrange interviews with Drs. Gilbert and Dean, please contact Heather Scott, Communications Officer, at 807-343-8177 or commun@lakeheadu.ca. To arrange interviews with Patricia Lang and Joe Vieira, please contact Bethanie Foster at 807-475-6137 or Bethanie.Foster@confederationc.on.ca.

About Lakehead
Lakehead is a comprehensive university with a reputation for innovative programs and cutting-edge research. With a main campus located in Thunder Bay, Ontario and a campus in Orillia, Ontario, Lakehead has over 7,700 students and 2,250 faculty and staff, and is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. In 2006, Research Infosource Inc. named Lakehead University Canada's Research University of the Year in the undergraduate category. For more information on Lakehead University, visit www.lakeheadu.ca

Recommendations approved by Council will elevate
city's reputation internationally as a good place to grow old

(May 12, 2010 " Thunder Bay, ON) At the May 10 City Council meeting, committee members from the local Age-Friendly Thunder Bay committee presented a strong case and successfully convinced Council members to endorse Thunder Bay to become an Age-Friendly community. As a champion of this initiative, Thunder Bay is one of the first cities in Ontario to be recognized with the Age-Friendly title, and is now well positioned to become internationally recognized as part of the World Health Organization's (WHO) Global Network of Age-Friendly Cities. Becoming age friendly also recognizes the social and economic contribution of Thunder Bay's older people and the growing economic opportunities of providing goods and services for our aging population.

As explained by Dr. Mary Lou Kelley, research affiliate with the Centre for Education and Research on Aging and Health (CERAH), an Age-Friendly City is accessible, inclusive, and supportive of its older citizens. "Thunder Bay has many strengths, particularly in the variety of opportunities and services it offers its older population."

Surveys indicate that many avenues exist for older citizens to stay active and involved, and to experience a high quality of life that is affordable for most. "Older adults feel respected here," Kelley says, adding, "The city does have some challenges to address in the areas of affordable housing options, transportation, and safety and security in some neighbourhoods. Becoming more age friendly will involve promoting inclusive community values, greater access to all community resources, and access to specialized senior services."

The committee members who put forth this recommendation to Council include 30 dedicated stakeholders from the older adult population and from local organizations, such as CERAH, which work to support older adults.

The stakeholder committee will meet with City's senior administration to discuss next steps in reporting mechanisms.

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MEDIA: Dr. Mary Lou Kelley and Councillor Rebecca Johnston, Chair of the Committee, are available for media interview. To arrange interview times, please contact Heather Scott, Communications Officer, at 807-343-8177 or commun@lakeheadu.ca.

About Lakehead
Lakehead is a comprehensive university with a reputation for innovative programs and cutting-edge research. With a main campus located in Thunder Bay, Ontario and a campus in Orillia, Ontario, Lakehead has over 7,700 students and 2,250 faculty and staff, and is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. In 2006, Research Infosource Inc. named Lakehead University Canada's Research University of the Year in the undergraduate category. For more information on Lakehead University, visit www.lakeheadu.ca

FinnForum IX is just around the corner and it offers something for everyone interested in the Finnish dimensions of the Social Sciences and Humanities.

FinnForum is held every three or four years. This year, Thunder Bay was chosen as the location for this international event. The theme for the conference is Finland and the World: Past, Present and Future.

The conference will be held at the historic Prince Arthur Waterfront Hotel on Cumberland Street, and kicks off on Tuesday May 25 at 7:00 p.m. with the Thunder Bay premiere of Chrystene Ells' feature length drama, Sisu: The Death of Tom Sukanen. The following two days, FinnForum will host 70 presentations on History, Literature, Film, Education, and other topics dealing with Finnish culture and society in the broader world.

In addition to academic discussions, FinnForum also presents musicians, notably John Berquist and Danny Johnson, who will play at various events throughout the conference.

This event also offers:

• A market place where books and other conference related merchandize will be sold
• Displays by the Finnish Canadian Historical Society and the Thunder Bay Historical Museum, and local artists who belong to Superior Finn
• A banquet, held on Thursday evening at the Finlandia Hall with honoured guests Ambassador Risto Piipponen and Mrs. Marjatta Piipponen in attendance. A limited number of tickets for the banquet are available for purchase at the Scandinavian Deli on Bay Street.

The unemployed, students, and seniors are admitted free of charge to all conference presentations. For more information visit the FinnForum website.

(May 10, 2010 " Thunder Bay, ON) Three Lakehead University researchers have been awarded a $24,000 Latin America and Caribbean Research Exchange Grant (LACREG) from the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada. The grant will support researcher exchange and travel involved in studying The Social Impact of Pulp Mills and Changing Economies in Ontario and Uruguay.

Drs. Ronald Harpelle and Michel Beaulieu of Lakehead's Department of History, along with Dr. Chris Southcott of Lakehead's Department of Sociology, received this funding from the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) as their work addresses several of IDRC's thematic research priorities.

In May and early June, Dr. Diego Piniero, rural sociologist and Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the Universidad de la República in Montevideo, along with PhD Candidate Matias Carambula, also a rural sociologist, will visit Thunder Bay and the region. The Uruguayan researchers are interested in how northern communities cope with the dominance of transnational corporations and the fluctuating fortunes of the pulp industry. This research project is part of an ongoing program of research focused on resource-dependent communities around the world

Likewise, the Canadian team, comprising Drs. Harpelle, Beaulieu, and Southcott, will spend three weeks in Uruguay later this year. They will visit communities undergoing significant socio-economic change as a result of the construction of the Frey Bentos pulp mill, a development that has caused the conversion of thousands of hectares of ranch land into forest farms.

As Dr. Harpelle notes, "This grant helps foster new research connections, which means opportunities for Lakehead faculty and students to meet with the Uruguayan scientists in the future."

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MEDIA: Dr. Ron Harpelle is available for interview. Interview times can be arranged by contacting Heather Scott, Communications Officer, at 807-343-8177 or commun@lakeheadu.ca.

About Lakehead
Lakehead is a comprehensive university with a reputation for innovative programs and cutting-edge research. With a main campus located in Thunder Bay, Ontario and a campus in Orillia, Ontario, Lakehead has over 7,700 students and 2,250 faculty and staff, and is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. In 2006, Research Infosource Inc. named Lakehead University Canada's Research University of the Year in the undergraduate category. For more information on Lakehead University, visit www.lakeheadu.ca

(May 4, 2010 " Thunder Bay, ON) Lakehead University has added another degree program to its already extensive roster. The Honours Bachelor of Science in Resource and Environmental Economics is a unique program in Canada, and Lakehead faculty members are confident it will give students a leading edge in their careers " particularly in the area of policy analysis in the resource and environmental sectors.

Offering courses commencing fall 2010, the program combines the analytical content of economic analysis with the scientific literacy and knowledge of natural resources, science, and the environment.

Dr. Andrew Dean, Dean of Lakehead's Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies, notes the unique learning elements this new program provides students, and its applicability to changing times. "Students will benefit from a combination of the academic intensity of an economics degree and the scientific depth and breadth of an environmental science degree " a marriage of science and social science." Dr. Dean adds the new degree covers matters at the forefront of today's ever-changing society, and is well placed to generate the expertise and value-added human capital needed to drive the economy during these times of challenging economic transition.

Those interested in finding out more may contact:

Dr. Andrew P. Dean
Dean, Science and Environmental Studies, Lakehead University
Tel: 807-766-7211

OR

Dr. Livio Di Matteo
Chair, Economics Department, Lakehead University
Tel: 807-343-8545

MEDIA: Dr. Dean and Dr. Di Matteo are available for media interview today. To arrange interview times, please contact Heather Scott, Communications Officer, at 807-343-8177 or commun@lakeheadu.ca.

About Lakehead
Lakehead is a comprehensive university with a reputation for innovative programs and cutting-edge research. With a main campus located in Thunder Bay, Ontario and a campus in Orillia, Ontario, Lakehead has over 7,700 students and 2,250 faculty and staff, and is home to the west campus of the Northern Ontario School of Medicine. In 2006, Research Infosource Inc. named Lakehead University Canada's Research University of the Year in the undergraduate category. For more information on Lakehead University, visit www.lakeheadu.ca

Lakehead University's Centre for Northern Studies, Office of Aboriginal Initiatives, and Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies, alongside the Negahneewin College of Academic and Community Development at Confederation College of Applied Arts and Technology are pleased to sponsor a visit by Terry Tobias, a leader in the field of traditional land use and occupancy mapping. During a free public lecture and a two-day workshop, Tobias dialogues with the Thunder Bay community:

April 21 - Public lecture by Terry Tobias at Lakehead University's ATAC 1003. Presentation begins at 7:00 p.m. Admission is free, and everyone is welcome to attend. Refreshments will be provided.

April 23 - 2-day workshop on learning best practice techniques for traditional land use and occupancy studies. Workshops run from 9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. in Confederation College's Shuniah Building, room C252. Cost is $200. Enrollment is limited. Lunches and materials are provided.

For more information, please contact Peggy Smith at 807-343-8672/ pasmith@lakeheadu.ca, or Karen Peterson at 807-475-6645/karen.peterson@confederationc.on.ca.