#ubc 2022

[linksvorne]

35. ROLLTREPPE. 2022-06-05 @ Sportclub-Platz (Ute Bock-Cup; w/ Sigrid Horn & Oh Alien)

[9jacompass]

Apply Now: Entrance Bursary Program for International Students at McGill University in Canada 2023

Apply Now: Entrance Bursary Program for International Students at McGill University in Canada 2023

Applications are invited from international eligible students to apply for the entrance bursary program at McGill University in Canada for 2023/2024 academic session. The Entrance Bursary program is a Need-based financial aid for future undergraduates. The goal of the program is to make the University more accessible to those who face financial challenges by supplementing other funding resources…

[mostlysignssomeportents]

The surveillance advertising to financial fraud pipeline

Monday (October 2), I'll be in Boise to host an event with VE Schwab. On October 7–8, I'm in Milan to keynote Wired Nextfest.

Being watched sucks. Of all the parenting mistakes I've made, none haunt me more than the times my daughter caught me watching her while she was learning to do something, discovered she was being observed in a vulnerable moment, and abandoned her attempt:

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/blog/2014/may/09/cybersecurity-begins-with-integrity-not-surveillance

It's hard to be your authentic self while you're under surveillance. For that reason alone, the rise and rise of the surveillance industry – an unholy public-private partnership between cops, spooks, and ad-tech scum – is a plague on humanity and a scourge on the Earth:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/08/16/the-second-best-time-is-now/#the-point-of-a-system-is-what-it-does

But beyond the psychic damage surveillance metes out, there are immediate, concrete ways in which surveillance brings us to harm. Ad-tech follows us into abortion clinics and then sells the info to the cops back home in the forced birth states run by Handmaid's Tale LARPers:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/06/29/no-i-in-uter-us/#egged-on

And even if you have the good fortune to live in a state whose motto isn't "There's no 'I" in uter-US," ad-tech also lets anti-abortion propagandists trick you into visiting fake "clinics" who defraud you into giving birth by running out the clock on terminating your pregnancy:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/06/15/paid-medical-disinformation/#crisis-pregnancy-centers

The commercial surveillance industry fuels SWATting, where sociopaths who don't like your internet opinions or are steamed because you beat them at Call of Duty trick the cops into thinking that there's an "active shooter" at your house, provoking the kind of American policing autoimmune reaction that can get you killed:

https://www.cnn.com/2019/09/14/us/swatting-sentence-casey-viner/index.html

There's just a lot of ways that compiling deep, nonconsensual, population-scale surveillance dossiers can bring safety and financial harm to the unwilling subjects of our experiment in digital spying. The wave of "business email compromises" (the infosec term for impersonating your boss to you and tricking you into cleaning out the company bank accounts)? They start with spear phishing, a phishing attack that uses personal information – bought from commercial sources or ganked from leaks – to craft a virtual Big Store con:

https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/safety-resources/scams-and-safety/common-scams-and-crimes/business-email-compromise

It's not just spear-phishers. There are plenty of financial predators who run petty grifts – stock swindles, identity theft, and other petty cons. These scams depend on commercial surveillance, both to target victims (e.g. buying Facebook ads targeting people struggling with medical debt and worried about losing their homes) and to run the con itself (by getting the information needed to pull of a successful identity theft).

In "Consumer Surveillance and Financial Fraud," a new National Bureau of Academic Research paper, a trio of business-school profs – Bo Bian (UBC), Michaela Pagel (WUSTL) and Huan Tang (Wharton) quantify the commercial surveillance industry's relationship to finance crimes:

https://www.nber.org/papers/w31692

The authors take advantage of a time-series of ZIP-code-accurate fraud complaint data from the Consumer Finance Protection Board, supplemented by complaints from the FTC, along with Apple's rollout of App Tracking Transparency, a change to app-based tracking on Apple mobile devices that turned of third-party commercial surveillance unless users explicitly opted into being spied on. More than 96% of Apple users blocked spying:

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2021/05/96-of-us-users-opt-out-of-app-tracking-in-ios-14-5-analytics-find/

In other words, they were able to see, neighborhood by neighborhood, what happened to financial fraud when users were able to block commercial surveillance.

What happened is, fraud plunged. Deprived of the raw material for committing fraud, criminals were substantially hampered in their ability to steal from internet users.

While this is something that security professionals have understood for years, this study puts some empirical spine into the large corpus of qualitative accounts of the surveillance-to-fraud pipeline.

As the authors note in their conclusion, this analysis is timely. Google has just rolled out a new surveillance system, the deceptively named "Privacy Sandbox," that every Chrome user is being opted in to unless they find and untick three separate preference tickboxes. You should find and untick these boxes:

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2023/09/how-turn-googles-privacy-sandbox-ad-tracking-and-why-you-should

Google has spun, lied and bullied Privacy Sandbox into existence; whenever this program draws enough fire, they rename it (it used to be called FLoC). But as the Apple example showed, no one wants to be spied on – that's why Google makes you find and untick three boxes to opt out of this new form of surveillance.

There is no consensual basis for mass commercial surveillance. The story that "people don't mind ads so long as they're relevant" is a lie. But even if it was true, it wouldn't be enough, because beyond the harms to being our authentic selves that come from the knowledge that we're being observed, surveillance data is a crucial ingredient for all kinds of crime, harassment, and deception.

We can't rely on companies to spy on us responsibly. Apple may have blocked third-party app spying, but they effect nonconsensual, continuous surveillance of every Apple mobile device user, and lie about it:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/11/14/luxury-surveillance/#liar-liar

That's why we should ban commercial surveillance. We should outlaw surveillance advertising. Period:

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2022/03/ban-online-behavioral-advertising

Contrary to the claims of surveillance profiteers, this wouldn't reduce the income to ad-supported news and other media – it would increase their revenues, by letting them place ads without relying on the surveillance troves assembled by the Google/Meta ad-tech duopoly, who take the majority of ad-revenue:

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2023/05/save-news-we-must-ban-surveillance-advertising

We're 30 years into the commercial surveillance pandemic and Congress still hasn't passed a federal privacy law with a private right of action. But other agencies aren't waiting for Congress. The FTC and DoJ Antitrust Divsision have proposed new merger guidelines that allow regulators to consider privacy harms when companies merge:

https://www.regulations.gov/comment/FTC-2023-0043-1569

Think here of how Google devoured Fitbit and claimed massive troves of extremely personal data, much of which was collected because employers required workers to wear biometric trackers to get the best deal on health care:

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2020/04/google-fitbit-merger-would-cement-googles-data-empire

Companies can't be trusted to collect, retain or use our personal data wisely. The right "balance" here is to simply ban that collection, without an explicit opt-in. The way this should work is that companies can't collect private data unless users hunt down and untick three "don't spy on me" boxes. After all, that's the standard that Google has set.

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/09/29/ban-surveillance-ads/#sucker-funnel

Image: Cryteria (modified) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:HAL9000.svg

CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en

[asunsetgrace16]

☾ ◇ ｊｅｎｎａ ｍａｄｄｅｎ ‣ 𝒸𝒽𝒶𝓇𝒶𝒸𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝓅𝓇𝑜𝒻𝒾𝓁𝑒

main masterlist ⎥ au masterlist⎥ navigation

[𝟶𝟷] ___ 𝙱𝙰𝚂𝙸𝙲𝚂

Name(s): Jenna Amber Madden

Nickname(s): Jen, Jennie, Jens

Age: 19

Birthday: September 5, 2004

Birthplace: Rosetown, Saskatchewan

Allergies: rabbits, dust, and pollen

Conditions/Illnesses: none

Occupation: works at Sephora part-time, will be a Chemical engineer after university

Education: high school diploma, half-done her BSc of Physics

Current Residence: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Hobbies: sudoku puzzles, crosswords, playing guitar and piano,

Pets: Lily - German Shephard/Husky cross, several barn cats; Momo and Juice are the deck/house cats

Sports: volleyball in high school, plays in a rec league now, running

Ethnicity: German, Ukrainian, British

Nationality: Canadian

[𝟶𝟸]  ___  𝙰𝙿𝙿𝙴𝙰𝚁𝙰𝙽𝙲𝙴

Height: 5'5

Eye Colour: Brown

Hair Colour: Dark Brown

Birthmarks: none

Scars: one on her ankle from when she broke it two years ago and had surgery to fix it

Tattoos: none

Style: country, jeans with cute sweaters, leggings with old Carhartt hoodies, oversized shirts from her brothers (and Fraser), both gold and silver jewelry

Piercings/Accessories: simple ear lobe piercings, one helix, always wears the ring her grandma gave her

[𝟶𝟹]  ___  𝙿𝙴𝚁𝚂𝙾𝙽𝙰𝙻𝙸𝚃𝚈

Introvert or Extrovert: both and it depends on where she is, how much sleep she got, and who she's around

Mood/Temper: she is intense and driven, always looking for a challenge. She loves her siblings (now that they are older), and will go to bat for any of them. She's also very stubborn.

Dreams/Goals: wants to travel, road trip across Canada, run in the Boston Marathon

Strengths: her work ethic, she's always prepared for anything

Weaknesses: she calls it being realistic, Andrew calls it pessimism

Quirks: usually leaves the house with her shoes untied, mixes up the different-coloured pen caps

Habits: stands and watches the horizon/clouds/weather like a middle-aged dad and/or every farmer ever

Fears: heights, balloons

[𝟶𝟺]  ___  𝙻𝙸𝙺𝙴𝚂 & 𝙳𝙸𝚂𝙻𝙸𝙺𝙴𝚂

Likes: being outside, frogs, sunsets, meals in the field, horseback riding, running

Dislikes: mosquitoes, ranch dressing, writing essays, early mornings

[𝟶𝟻] ___ 𝙰𝙴𝚂𝚃𝙷𝙴𝚃𝙸𝙲

[𝟶𝟼] ___ 𝙵𝚄𝙽 𝙵𝙰𝙲𝚃���

[𝟶𝟽] ___ 𝙵𝙰𝚅𝙾𝚄𝚁𝙸𝚃𝙴𝚂

Food: chicken noodle soup

Music: country. classic rock

Songs: Blown Away by Carrie Underwood. Getting There by Terri Clark. Cornelia Street by Taylor Swift. Strong by One Direction.

Movies: The Other Woman. Ocean's 8. Talledaga Nights.

Shows: S.W.A.T. Manifest. Brooklyn 99.

Colour: purple

Place: Vancouver Island, BC

[𝟶𝟾] ___ 𝙵𝙰𝙼𝙸𝙻𝚈 & 𝚁𝙴𝙻𝙰𝚃𝙸𝙾𝙽𝚂𝙷𝙸𝙿𝚂

Family: Jenna is the middle child, a twin to John. She has two older brothers and two younger sisters

Mom: Anna Madden (nee Travis), b. december 18, 1968

Dad: Josh Madden, b. march 24, 1963

Sibling(s): Brothers - Liam, Andrew, and John, Sisters - Melissa and Charlotte

➪ Liam Madden: b. november 2, 2000. engaged to fiancee Cara. works in crop technology and will keep helping to farm.

➪ Andrew Madden: b. june 21, 2001. single. recently graduated from U of S with a degree in Agribusiness and will take over the main farm.

➪ John Madden: b. september 5, 2004. gay. dating boyfriend Luke. attending UBC and getting a degree in Mathematical Sciences.

➪ Melissa (Lis) Madden: b. june 18, 2006. bisexual. single. just graduated high school and is attending U of S to become a vet.

➪ Charlotte (Charlie) Madden: b. may 5, 2009. single. starting high school. an excellent hockey player who has been offered scholarships in the States.

Relationship Status: almost taken. Fraser Minten (october 2024)

Past Relationships: Jenna was in two relationships prior to getting with Fraser

➪ Luke: (July 2020 - June 2022) he was her high school relationship. they were together for two years before going their separate ways after graduating. it was a mutual decision as their life plans were taking them in different directions.

➪ Sam: (December 2022 - March 2023) he was a fun relationship. he was a known party boy and wasn't looking for serious which was good with Jenna. they had fun but ultimately decided they were better off as friends.

[creativemorningsvancouver]

We are quite excited to host chef, restauranteur, 
author, and activist, Meeru Dhalwala, who will share her compelling story of creativity through the lens of June’s global theme ‘reverie’.

Register

Meeru moved from Washington, D.C. to Vancouver in February 1995 and has since been cooking and running the kitchens and menus at Vij’s and Rangoli restaurants. Vij’s has been hailed by the New York Times as “easily among the finest Indian restaurants in the world.” (Rangoli closed after 17 years in May 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic). Meeru also wrote all three award-winning Vij’s cookbooks.

In 2021, Meeru created a small community business built from her learned ethics in the food industry: My Bambiri (baby) Foods. My Bambiri sources from BC organic farmers and sells on income-based pricing: three price options based on a family’s specific finances. She has also partnered with Food Stash Foundation to sell My Bambiri at their markets for low-income families who face many economic and social barriers. In October 2022, Meeru relaunched her annual international food fair called “Joy of Feeding” that is held at the UBC Farm Centre for Sustainable Food Systems.

Meeru holds a MSc in development studies from Bath University, UK, and brings her passion for humanity into her business and cooking practices. She is one of Vancouver’s most prominent promoters of women in business, climate change and sustainability, and healthy-elegant cooking. She proudly sits on the Board of Directors for the Green Party of Vancouver. For her professional and community work, Meeru has received honorary doctorates from both University of British Columbia and Simon Fraser University.

Every month we like to ask our speakers a handful of probing questions to give us a deeper glimpse into their life and relationship with creativity:

How do you define creativity and apply it in your life and career? I imagine and then come up with ideas. Lots of ideas, of which most aren’t realistic, but contribute to the final ideas that I/we can execute. I love the process of ideas popping or slowly coming to form in my head. I love the crazy ideas that are impractical and the ideas that could make stories if I were a novelist. I say the word “IDEA!” in the Vij’s kitchen and staff stops whatever we’re doing, get excited and hear the “IDEA!” Half of them result in all of us just laughing b/c while even saying it, I realize it’s not practical or just sounds silly coming out. My kitchen staff doesn’t rely on me to run the daily kitchen—cooking, ordering, loading, prep, etc.—but they rely on me for my “IDEA!” And if I love my idea, I don’t let it go.

Where do you find your best creative inspiration or energy? From running in my neighborhood—not any neighborhood or trail. Running is combination of my familiar surroundings and my body igniting me—my brain is dancing while my body is doing all the physical work. Whatever is on my mind—whether my family, trying to save some aspect of the environment, imagining being dead, imagining my comfort place on this earth, a work issue, coming up with recipes, etc.—it’s done with abandon while I’m running. Within 10 minutes, I lose myself in imagining, pondering…and daydreaming about my past in relation to today.

What’s one piece of creative advice or a tip you wish you’d known as a young person? Find a solo activity during which you feel abandon and…yes, lose yourself in reverie! I run. All those times when I was crying or stressed about my home life or school life, if I had gone out running and released that stress energy, the weight would have lightened and so many windows would have opened. Doesn’t have to be a physical activity—it can be knitting or drawing.

Who (living or dead) would you most enjoy hearing speak at CreativeMornings? George Eliot or Graca Machel. Intellectually attuned and gracefully passionate, brave women. Middlemarch is still relevant as a compelling storyline and observation on humanity’s social concoctions. Women and children’s rights activist Graca Machel was the First Lady of Mozambique at an important and crucial time. Her husband (the President) was assassinated via a plane crash. Later, she became the First Lady of South Africa, as wife of Nelson Mandela.

What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done? Fly to Vancouver from Washington D.C. to meet a guy I was talking on the phone with for a month (back in 1994) and, after spending 5 days with him, deciding to marry him asap. I left my hometown, friends and career in human rights and economic development to move to Vancouver. It resulted in a new and completed unexpected career, two beautiful children and 17 years of marriage. I don’t know how, but I grabbed the confidence in love before it escaped in the form of common sense.

If you could open a door and go anywhere, where would that be? My partner is a dry suit (meaning he dives in cold waters) scuba diver and travels to all waters of the world to dive, take photos. His “comfort place” in this world is the silence and being solo under water—complete opposite from mine. He lies there with his camera, watches and waits for creatures to swim, fully in zen mode. This level of silence and alone-ness intimidates and fascinates me. I would LOVE to turn myself into an invisible and weightless being, and be on his shoulder while he does this. I would not want to disturb his zen. For me, this would be like magically living in a dream.

What are you proudest of in your life? Giving motherhood my all, by which I don’t mean just love. The most important moment of my life so far is when I first looked down at my newborn and felt/saw the look in her wide eyes, settling on her mom’s face. I call this “Newborn Eyes”. Newborn Eyes are the energy of my personal life. I’m proud of fully and honestly engaging with my two daughters as humans and not as my extensions. I’m proud of calling them out on their shit and not worrying if they like me or not, or if they’ll rebel. I’m proud that I never stopped being me for the sake of being a mother.

If you could do anything now, what would you do? Have each human above the age of, say 6, in this world watch the animated documentary film “Flee” for its subject matter and b/c its engrossing storytelling. I want all of us watching at the exact same time so we are aware of sharing this experience together, as one. So, a bit of magic or super sci-fi high tech required here. Some of the bravest and most loving people in this world are “refugees” and “migrants”. These are labels for some, but for me they are my mom and dad.

What books made a difference in your life and why? The Employees by Olga Ravn. This book is potentially our real future with real humans co-existing with AI types of humans. It’s beautifully written. It’s a very short book and I read it twice in a row.

Register

[priyankashares]

Canadian Universities Embracing the Metaverse: A New Era of Learning

In the dynamic landscape of education, the Metaverse represents a revolutionary paradigm shift, blending virtual reality with real-world experiences to redefine how we learn, collaborate, and innovate. As Canadian universities increasingly integrate Metaverse technologies into their academic frameworks, they are pioneering a new era of learning that transcends traditional boundaries.

The Metaverse offers immersive environments where students can engage in lifelike simulations, interactive lectures, and global collaborations, all from the comfort of their digital campuses. For Canadian universities, embracing the Metaverse isn’t just about adopting cutting-edge technology—it’s about enhancing accessibility, fostering creativity, and preparing students for a globally interconnected future. By harnessing the power of the Metaverse, these institutions are poised to elevate learning experiences, drive innovation, and shape the next generation of leaders in a digitally transformed world.

Adoption of the Metaverse in Canadian Universities

Across Canada, universities are at the forefront of embracing the transformative potential of the Metaverse in education. Institutions are integrating virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies to enhance learning experiences, promote collaboration, and prepare students for future careers in digital environments.

Case Studies of Specific Universities and Their Metaverse Initiatives

1. University of Toronto

In 2023, the University of Toronto launched immersive VR classrooms that simulate real-world scenarios for medical and engineering students. These virtual environments allow for hands-on training and interactive learning experiences.

2. University of British Columbia (UBC)

Since 2024, UBC has partnered with VR developers to create virtual field trips for geography and environmental science students. These simulations provide students with realistic explorations of ecosystems and geographical landscapes.

3. McGill University

Starting in 2022, McGill University has established virtual laboratories where students can conduct experiments in physics, chemistry, and biology using AR technologies. This initiative enhances practical learning without the need for physical lab spaces.

Collaboration with Technology Partners and Innovators

Canadian universities are collaborating closely with technology partners and innovators to advance Metaverse initiatives:

Partnerships with VR/AR Developers

Approximately 70% of universities have been actively partnering with leading VR/AR developers to co-create immersive educational content and platforms tailored to academic needs.

Industry Collaborations

Collaborations with industry leaders in technology and innovation have seen a 60% increase in research and development of new Metaverse applications in education.

Innovation Hubs

Several universities have established innovation hubs focused on Metaverse technologies, where students and faculty collaborate on cutting-edge projects and research.

These initiatives not only enhance educational experiences but also position Canadian universities as pioneers in leveraging the Metaverse to shape the future of learning and research. As these initiatives continue to evolve, they promise to redefine education, making it more accessible, engaging, and responsive to the demands of a digital age.

Benefits of the Metaverse for Learning

The Metaverse is reshaping the landscape of education, offering a multitude of benefits that enhance engagement, accessibility, inclusivity, and global collaboration.

1. Enhanced Engagement

Studies have shown that immersive learning experiences in the Metaverse significantly enhance student engagement. According to a report by Meta (formerly Facebook), students in virtual classrooms are more actively involved in lessons and retain information better compared to traditional methods.

Research indicates that 87% of students find VR-enhanced lessons more engaging, leading to increased participation and higher academic achievement.

2. Accessibility and Inclusivity

The Metaverse promotes accessibility and inclusivity by breaking down geographical barriers and accommodating diverse learning needs.

A study by the International Data Corporation (IDC) revealed that 85% of educators believe virtual environments enhance accessibility for students with disabilities, providing them with equal opportunities for participation.

Additionally, virtual classrooms accommodate flexible learning schedules, allowing students to attend classes from anywhere in the world, thereby democratizing access to quality education.

3. Innovative Teaching Methods

Educators are leveraging the Metaverse to pioneer innovative teaching methods that cater to today’s digital-native students.

Research from the Learning and Technology Library indicates that 78% of teachers integrate virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) into their lessons to create dynamic, interactive learning experiences.

For example, VR-based historical reenactments and AR-enhanced science experiments captivate student interest and encourage active learning, leading to higher academic performance and greater student satisfaction.

4. Global Reach and Collaboration

The Metaverse facilitates global reach and collaboration by connecting students and educators across continents.

According to a survey by McKinsey & Company, 63% of universities have implemented virtual exchange programs through the Metaverse, enabling cultural exchanges and collaborative projects that transcend borders.

Virtual conferences and seminars hosted in the Metaverse attract diverse audiences and foster interdisciplinary dialogue, enriching learning experiences and preparing students for a globally interconnected workforce.

In conclusion, the Metaverse represents a paradigm shift in education, offering enhanced engagement, accessibility, innovative teaching methods, and global collaboration opportunities. As educational institutions continue to embrace these technologies, the potential for transformative learning experiences and inclusive education grows, paving the way for a more interconnected and knowledge-driven future.

Long-term Benefits for Canadian Universities and the Education Sector

The adoption of Metaverse technologies holds promising long-term benefits for Canadian universities and the broader education sector, ushering in a new era of innovation and opportunity.

1. Enhanced Learning Experiences

Metaverse technologies offer Canadian universities the opportunity to enhance learning experiences through immersive simulations, virtual laboratories, and interactive educational content. By integrating virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) into curricula, universities can provide students with hands-on learning opportunities that transcend traditional classroom limitations. This approach not only deepens understanding but also prepares students for careers in technology-driven fields by exposing them to cutting-edge tools and methodologies.

2. Increased Access and Inclusivity

The Metaverse promotes increased access and inclusivity within Canadian universities by overcoming geographical barriers and accommodating diverse learning needs. Students can participate in virtual classes and collaborative projects from anywhere, fostering a more inclusive educational environment. Additionally, virtual environments can be tailored to support students with disabilities, ensuring equitable access to educational resources and opportunities.

3. Cost Efficiency and Sustainability

Virtual learning environments powered by the Metaverse can lead to cost efficiencies for Canadian universities. Reduced infrastructure costs associated with physical facilities and maintenance, coupled with decreased travel expenses for students and faculty, contribute to overall financial sustainability. Moreover, virtual classrooms support environmentally sustainable practices by reducing carbon footprints associated with commuting and campus operations.

4. Global Collaboration and Partnerships

Metaverse technologies facilitate global collaboration and partnerships for Canadian universities. Through virtual exchange programs, joint research initiatives, and international conferences hosted in virtual spaces, universities can connect with counterparts worldwide, exchange knowledge, and foster interdisciplinary collaborations. This global connectivity enriches educational experiences, broadens perspectives, and prepares students to thrive in a globalized economy.

5. Innovation and Research Advancement

Embracing the Metaverse stimulates innovation and advances research within Canadian universities. Faculty and students can leverage virtual environments to conduct experiments, simulate scenarios, and explore new methodologies in fields ranging from healthcare and engineering to humanities and social sciences. This fosters a culture of innovation, propels academic research forward, and positions Canadian universities at the forefront of technological advancements.

By embracing metaverse technology, universities can strengthen their educational offerings, better prepare students for future careers, and contribute to a more connected and knowledge-driven society.

Conclusion

Canadian universities are embracing the Metaverse education platform, ushering in a transformative era for higher education. By integrating virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and immersive simulations, they are enhancing learning experiences and preparing students for a digital future. This shift promotes inclusivity, reduces costs, fosters global collaboration, and drives innovation in research and teaching methodologies.

Connect with ibentos and explore how our platform can empower your institution.

[brasilcalling]

UBC Distributes R$ 791 Million in 2023

In 2023, the collective management of musical copyrights achieved record-breaking success across the Shows, Digital, Radio, Cinema, and General Users segments, according to the latest UBC Annual Report. The total revenue collected by the seven Brazilian societies reached R$ 1.63 billion, marking a 17% increase from 2022 and setting a historical record. UBC’s contribution to these figures was…

[stanstanchev]

29th floor. Amazing city and mountain views. NorthEast corner 2 bdrm 2 bath 673 sqft at Georgetown 1. Built in 2022. In the core of Surrey City Centre. Walk to all amenities, Surrey City Centre shops, restaurants, Surrey Central Skytrain Station, SFU and KPU campuses, UBC campus and numerous parks. 30,000 sq ft of amenities with entertaining lounge, co-work space, outdoor theatre, dog run, fitness centre and guest suite. L-shaped kitchen BOSCH and BLOMBERG appliance package. 1 parking and 1 storage locker are included. Pets are OK. Rentals are OK. Minimum 30 days short term rentals. Ready to move in. Call Stan Stanchev 1-604-202-1412

[rezcowgirl]

"UBC funds genocide"

Seen in Vancouver

[mal-mchale]

Mallory Justine McHale

"I want you to show me the worst of you More than your words can do Tonight I’ll be whatever you want me to be Tell me your fantasies"

Nicknames: Mal Pronouns: She/Her Sexuality: Lesbian Magic status: Mundus Nationality: British Ethnicity: Mixed Accent: British, Londoner, borderline cockney at times, accent has morphed slightly due four years in Canada Height: 5’7 Build: Strong, toned, jacked Complexion: Lightly Tanned Eye color: Hazel but depending on the lighting can be more of a light, golden brown Hair color/length/style: Dark brown, almost black, shaved on the sides, long on the top, a bit wavy, usually styled with product back and blown dry to keep it out of her face Tattoos: A thunderbird in flight, black and grey, on the back of her shoulder, the number 15 on her ankle usually covered by her socks Piercings: Cartilage, ears, and barbells in her nips Daily jewelry: On duty: A small necklace with St. Christopher on it that her Gran gave her. When she's not on duty or in the gym: a mixed and matched rings Occupation: Firefighter, Swynlake Fire Department Relationship Status: Single What would you find if you Googled them?: A UBC Hockey Bio with scoring records, a really old LinkedIn that hasn't been updated since 2020, a probably her name in couple local news articles from NTO when Swynlake comes to their aid for large fires What natives would know about them: -General Knowledge: Moved here in 2019, worked for InterPride for about a year, started at the fire academy in 2020, Officially graduated and joined the Fire Department in 2021. - Relationships: Ava Harper (2020-2022)

[college-girl199328]

Judy Cameron still remembers getting the telegram that marked her first offer to fly planes for a major commercial carrier. Pacific Western Airlines had come calling, writing her a "congratulations" and inviting her to sit down with the interview board.

Forty-five years later, Cameron — who was Air Canada's first female pilot — has 23,000 hours of flying, a scholarship, and an Order of Canada membership to her name.

After a fulfilling 40-year career, Cameron recalls the struggles she faced in the early years and the efforts still needed to encourage more young women to enter aviation — especially the cockpit, which remains extremely male-dominated.

As of January, nearly eight percent of Air Canada's pilots were women--better than the U.S. average of 4.9 percent, according to a 2022 report from the Centre for Aviation, an Australia-based market research firm. The figure is also much higher than the tally just a few decades ago, when female flight crew stood out glaringly.

Cameron developed a taste for adrenalin early on, buying a motorcycle in Grade 12 and later riding her Honda Hog to the University of British Columbia most days, "even in the rain." After her first year studying arts, she found a summer job interviewing pilots at small airports for a Transport Canada survey. On her first day in 1973, one of them invited her to hop on board.

Cameron dropped out of UBC and applied to a two-year aviation program at Selkirk College. "I got on my motorcycle and drove eight hours to Castlegar … and when I got there the head of the aviation program had a motorbike. That's probably how I got into the course." Raised by a single mother in Vancouver, Cameron had grown up in a one-room apartment. Television and cars were luxuries they couldn't afford.

When Cameron flew her first passenger, in a two-seat, single-engine Cessna 150 training aircraft, it was her mom in the seat beside her. College wasn't an easy time. "It was hard, doing my training and being in a classroom full of guys. I was always the odd one out," she said. "It was so isolating."

Following graduation, Cameron found pilot work at a pulp and paper company in 1975, but the board of directors wouldn't let her fly. She wound up helping with dispatch and office management, occasionally managing to get a flight in when a subsidiary operated the plane. After switching to a job as a passenger agent at B.C.'s Airwest Airlines — with infrequent turns in the cockpit — Cameron was eventually hired by a small regional service in Slave Lake, Alta., where she flew a Douglas DC-3 airliner — a big break, due to the larger size of the plane.

Four months later, the company went bankrupt — the paycheques bounced — and executives at the carrier that took over its routes weren't thrilled about her presence. "The chief pilot there basically didn't want to hire me. But he said, 'At least the big airlines won't hire you.'"

The airline stationed her in Inuvik, N.W.T., and proceeded to lay her off. She was later rehired as a dispatcher and allowed to fly periodically.

Overall, though, she said the experience was positive and the pilots respectful, some of them serving as mentors. However, the company was no exception to the years-long failure of most airlines to provide uniforms for pregnant crew members, including Cameron in 1984. The shortcoming was a milder example of some of the gender inequalities that persisted at various carriers into the 1970s, including strict weight limits, age ceilings, and marriage bans for flight attendants.

Today, Air Canada aviators may be asked to submit a note from their doctor every two weeks confirming they are fit to fly, starting in the 20th week of pregnancy. Pilots are considered fit to fly until week 30, "in the case of a normal pregnancy," according to Transport Canada regulations. Many of Air Canada's 410 female pilots — out of 5,230 in total — see Cameron as an inspiration.

Since retiring in 2015, Cameron has barely slowed down. The Oakville, Ont., resident has taken a course on aerobatics — "loops and rolls and Cuban eights" — in Florida. And she's actively involved in the Air Canada scholarship program in her name. Launched in 2019 and backed partly by flight training company CAE, the fund helped support 13 young women training to become pilots or aircraft maintenance engineers last year, granting them $5,000 apiece. Education in the sector is notoriously expensive.

Last year, 12 percent of new pilot licenses issued in Canada went to women, according to the Institute for Women in Aviation Worldwide. Cameron also serves as a director of the Northern Lights Aero Foundation, which offers mentorship and highlights women's achievements in aviation.

[shotattheshow]

[REVIEW] Black Veil Brides @ Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre

After eight years away from the Pacific Northwest, Black Veil Brides made their return to Vancouver, in something of a homecoming despite being a far ways from home.

Flanked by Vancouver-based bassist Lonny Eagleton, Saturday’s show at the Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre marked the first time Eagleton had performed with BVB in his hometown – and the reception at UBC did not disappoint.

Galleries: Black Veil Brides | VV | Dark Divine

The double-headlining tour featured BVB alongside VV, Ville Valo of Finnish goth rock gods HIM, with Orlando horrorcore outfit Dark Divine opening the show.

Dark Divine vocalist Anthony Martinez led the crowd through eight rippers including “Run Away,” “The Reaper” and “Halloweentown,” expressing a genuine sincerity to the Vancouver fans for their energy seeing the band for the first time.

VV took centre stage with an outstanding set, alternating between new songs from his solo debut Neon Noir and old ones from his HIM days. He opened with the 2022 single “Echolocate Your Love” before launching into the Dark Light smash “Wings of a Butterfly.”

The elders in the crowd hung on every word through new songs like “The Foreverlost,” “Heartful of Ghosts” and “Salute the Sanguine,” but really got going in the HIM tunes, known to change slightly from setlist to setlist. Vancouver was fortunate to hear some particularly deep cuts, including 1999’s “Join Me in Death” and 2000’s “Right Here in My Arms,” as well as fan favourite “The Funeral of Hearts” and “Buried Alive by Love.”

Then came time for Black Veil Brides to take the stage, and the eight-year wait was worth it.

Singer Andy Biersack marched back and forth with the swagger of Tommy Lee in his prime, tearing into “Crimson Skies” off their last album The Phantom Tomorrow before throwing it back more than a decade to 2011’s solo-heavy “Rebel Love Song.”

Long-time guitarists Jake Pitts and Jinxx traded riffs throughout the night on singles like “Wake Up” and deep cuts such as “Coffin.” Eagleton looked truly at home onstage in the rhythm section with drummer Christian Coma.

The metalcore five-piece bounced from back-to-back 2021 singles “Scarlet Cross” and “Torch,” to two more songs off 2010’s We Stitch These Wounds, rounding out the main set with “Perfect Weapon” and their 2009 breakout single “Knives and Pens.”

For BVB fans, the encore was a treat, with the band ending the night strong with a few older songs: “Lost It All” set the tone followed by 2011’s “Fallen Angels” and their highest charting single to date, “In the End” off Wretched and Divine: The Story of the Wild Ones.

Black Veil Brides made it a memorable night at the UBC arena, and with any luck, they’ll be back a little sooner next time to do it all again.

[wolfsummoner]

Uggghhhhh

Tl;dr: Québec wants to increase the French language in their province, so they're increasing the minimum out of the province tuition from ~9k CAD to ~17k CAD. People (like me) who originally wanted to go there for undergrad work are hesitating now, because that's at least twice as much as other provinces.

For context, UBC's out-of-province tuition for a B.Sc. at the Vancouver campus is ~6k, plus ~2k in student fees and books. Total of ~8k. Less than half the minimum tuition for Québec universities. That's one of the most expensive universities in BC.

U of A is the same, including student fees and books. University of Saskatchewan is 10k for engineering, and *is* 30-60k for dentistry but medicine isn't cheap.

But let's check another French province. New Brunswick - the one bilingual province in Canada.

Université de Moncton: ~8.5k, for the 2022-23 year.

University of New Brunswick: ~9k, not including fees.

Like, I'm all for the preservation of languages - they're a backbone to culture. And I'm sure this will stop Montréal from being anglicized, but it also won't let the French language spread.

A solution I'd say (though it may not at all be feasible) is to base the tuition of 1. French fluency and 2. How many French courses the students are taking.

[inner-wellness]

Philosophy Of Chiropractic Medicine

We can deal with any musculoskeletal complaint in the whole body from the toes, to knees, hips, elbows, palms, wrists, shoulders, TMJ, backbone, pelvis, and ALL the muscular tissues in between. Doctors Van Der Mark and Slater are skilled to develop and carry out a complete therapy /management plan on your musculoskeletal well being problem. A chiropractic adjustment can be a protected and effective solution for you if you have any of the above signs. A registered chiropractor can assess you to ensure that an adjustment will be efficient in helping you together with your situation.

This might imply you're feeling stronger, have less ache, you're feeling lighter or more versatile, you would have extra energy, etc. The remedy is much like an everyday chiropractic treatment but also entails more muscle energy tests to establish weaknesses and should contain the need for nutritional supplementation, rehab train, or soft tissue remedy. Chiropractors are specialists in manual adjustment of the vertebrae of the spine and other joints. Adjustment helps relieve ache and restore normal functioning to the backbone, joints and supporting buildings of the body – so you can take pleasure in your everyday activities again as quickly as potential.

If left untreated many injuries dismissed as mere aches and pains can turn out to be more severe over time and even turn out to be debilitating if arthritis units in. It is based on the idea that an essential life energy referred to as "qi" flows by way of the body along invisible traces toronto chiropractic services. Stimulating points along these traces corrects the circulate of qi to optimize well being or block pain. Chiropractic care is popular amongst athletes, serving to them maintain optimal operate, keep away from harm, and get well sooner between workouts.

Appletree Medical Group is dedicated to offering the most effective well being service to each sufferers and physicians. We hope after dispelling these myths, you’ll visit your chiropractor that can assist you along with your current condition. Your insurance toronto chiropractic company may require a doctor’s referral for the appointment to be covered by your insurance coverage plan. Please contact your insurance firm or employer immediately to verify particulars about your insurance coverage protection.

Chiropractic care is a non-invasive, hands-on, health care discipline that focuses on the musculoskeletal system. Michelle Kwok joined Lift Clinic in November 2022 with a Bachelor of Kinesiology at UBC and finished her Doctorate in Chiropractic Medicine from the University of Western States, in Portland. In her early career as a kinesiologist, she discovered her ardour to help individuals as she was impressed chiropractic medicine by working with a sufferers from ICBC motor vehicle accidents, long-term incapacity, and work comp circumstances. Her background of being mentored by a kinesiologist and a chiropractor with a strength and conditioning background was the muse of how she approaches her current work along with her patients.

[canadaopps]

University of British Columbia Schmidt Science Fellowships 2024 in Canada - Fully Funded $100,000 per year

University of British Columbia Schmidt Science Fellowships 2024 in Canada - Fully Funded $100,000 per year Deadline: April 2024 Eligibility: Canadian, Permanent Resident, International

University of British Columbia Schmidt Science Fellowships 2024 in Canada - Fully Funded $100,000 per year

The Schmidt Science Fellows program provides the world’s best emerging scientists with new skills and perspectives to develop novel solutions to society’s challenges, become scientific and societal thought leaders, and accelerate ground-breaking discoveries.  The program is looking for the brightest minds in the natural sciences, mathematics, engineering, and computing who are interested in broadening their horizons.  Candidates to be Schmidt Science Fellows are expected to already have a strong track record of scientific achievement from their PhD studies, combined with a clear intellectual curiosity and desire to drive future discoveries. They should have the commitment and character to engage with society and global challenges to making a lasting difference in the world. Fellows should have a collaborative spirit with the experience and desire to work with diverse teams and across scientific disciplines. CANADA – Trudeau Foundation Scholarship 2023 -APPLY NOW Fellows receive a stipend of $100,000 USD per year and are supported to pursue a one to two year postdoctoral placement at a world-leading laboratory anywhere in the world in a disciplinary pivot from their PhD.  Fellows also benefit from a Global Meeting Series and personalized mentoring program.  UBC is one of select group of the world’s leading science and engineering institutions that are invited to nominate students to the international competition.  In 2022, 29 Schmidt Science Fellows were selected to be recipients globally.

ELIGIBILITY: University of British Columbia Schmidt Science Fellowships 2024 in Canada - Fully Funded $100,000 per year

In order to be eligible for nomination and potential selection as a Schmidt Science Fellow, candidates must meet the following requirements: - Must have completed, or expect to complete, all the requirements for the conferral of their UBC PhD, including a successful defense, between 1 June 2023 and 30 July 2024.  Please note that prospective UBC students are not eligible for nomination. - Have conducted their graduate degree in the natural sciences (Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Earth Sciences), Engineering, Mathematics, or Computing – and all sub-disciplines therein - Be available for the entire period of the 2024 program, from July 2024 to September 2025 including attendance of the Global Meeting Series (whether virtual or in person, as conditions allow, and including additional virtual programming). The Schmidt Science Fellows program is committed to equality of opportunity for all candidates.  Applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, gender, gender identity, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy or maternity, parental status marital or civil partner status, race, color, ethnic or national origin, nationality, religion or belief.  Refer to the Schmidt Science Fellows webpage for eligibility FAQs.

EVALUATION CRITERIA: University of British Columbia Schmidt Science Fellowships 2024 in Canada - Fully Funded $100,000 per year

Refer to the Schmidt Science Fellows webpage for the complete evaluation criteria. Below is additional insight into what the Schmidt Science Fellows program is looking for: - The program is looking for the brightest minds in the natural sciences, mathematics, engineering, and computing who are interested in broadening their horizons, pivoting away from their PhD research area and pursuing a challenging and rewarding period of study in an alternative discipline with world-leading scientists - Schmidt Science Fellows are encouraged and supported to take an ambitious scientific risk when considering their postdoctoral placement. Their proposed research pivot should represent a genuine and innovative disciplinary departure from their PhD studies, with a clear goal towards gaining new skills in a new area and establishing field-leading interdisciplinary lines of research with potential for high reward and societal impact.  - Research placements are not restricted to any group of institutions. Schmidt Science Fellows may choose to complete their Fellowship at a laboratory of their choice, subject to program approval and assurance that the host organization meets the Fellows individual training and research needs. This is a unique opportunity to study in a world-class lab anywhere in the world and candidates are encouraged to consider the unique freedom, flexibility, and global outlook this opportunity provides. - Schmidt Science Fellows are expected to become science leaders and should demonstrate a keen interest in harnessing interdisciplinarity and interacting with wider society. Candidates must possess the drive to tackle some of the world’s most pressing problems and the personality to lead, inspire, and galvanize cross-disciplinary collaborations to accelerate discovery leading to impactful solutions. Refer to the Fellows profiles on the Schmidt Science Fellows webpage for insight on past recipients.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES: University of British Columbia Schmidt Science Fellowships 2024 in Canada - Fully Funded $100,000 per year

Schmidt Science Fellowships applicants must submit their application materials to their UBC graduate program.  Applicants should check with their UBC graduate program to find out their internal application deadline.  A complete application will consist of the following: - CV, including publications (maximum three pages) - A brief description of your PhD research (maximum one page) - Personal Statement (maximum one page): - Description of your leadership qualities, addressing the following two points: (a) character and leadership (genuine and demonstrable potential for science leadership; displaying perseverance, resilience, a moral compass, and a galvanizing force of personality) and (b) global ambition for social good (desire to use your personal talents and science to make a positive difference in society and the world) - Fellowship Research Proposal (maximum two pages), addressing the following points: - Description of your proposed postdoctoral research direction, that represents a genuine, ambitious and innovative disciplinary departure from your PhD studies, with a clear goal towards gaining new skills in a new area and establishing field-leading interdisciplinary lines of research with potential for high reward and societal impact. - When writing your proposal, please include the following two points: (a) alignment with the Schmidt Science Fellows program (i.e., interest in pursuing 12-24 months of postdoctoral study in a field different from your PhD discipline and a belief that interdisciplinary science and the taking of appropriate scientific risks are important for the advancement of discovery) and (b) collaborative spirit (i.e., demonstrated history of effective collaboration with diverse team members. - Options for placement (maximum one page): - Three short outlines of potential labs in which you may carry out this research. - Note that you do not have to contact the labs or secure a position at this time. - The options you present are not final and binding - One letter of support (maximum 2 pages).  The letter should be signed and on letterhead (where possible).  The letter should address the evaluation criteria. - The referee should be able to speak convincingly to your future potential, not just your current abilities.  Successful UBC nominees will be invited by the Schmidt Science Fellows program to submit a full application in June. Presentation standards of documents: 10 point Arial font, or equivalent.

NOMINATION PROCEDURES: University of British Columbia Schmidt Science Fellowships 2024 in Canada - Fully Funded $100,000 per year

Each UBC graduate program is invited to submit one nomination to the university-wide competition. Given the highly competitive nature of this opportunity, graduate programs should nominate only an exceptional individual who will stand out amongst top applicants from around the world. A complete nomination package will consist of the following, submitted as 1 PDF document to the department's Sharepoint folder, by April 6, 2023 at 4:00 pm PT: - CV, including publications (maximum three pages) - A brief description of PhD research (maximum one page) - Personal Statement (maximum one page) - Fellowship Research Proposal (maximum two pages) - Options for placement (maximum one page) - One letter of support (maximum 2 pages) Details on the documents noted above are outlined in the 'Application Procedures' section of this webpage. Please save the file name as Schmidt_PROGRAM_LastName_FirstName.pdf (e.g. a nomination file for student Jane Smith from MATH would be called Schmidt_MATH_Smith_Jane.pdf).

ADJUDICATION PROCEDURES

The Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies will convene a committee to review the nominations submitted by departments and will nominate up to 7 students to the international competition. The Schmidt Science Fellows program expects to announce the global results in March 2024.

FURTHER INFORMATION

For further information about the Schmidt Science Fellows, please visit the Schmidt Science Fellows website.  You may find the answer to your question in the website FAQ. For further information, please contact Bree Wilson. APPLICATION LINK

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[culturaleducators]

Welcome to our blog!

Please see the brief description of our blog to the left of this post.

There are multiple pages to our blog so don't miss out on any of our posts, on the bottom of this page you will be able to move to the next page.

Thank you for visiting.

By:

Beheshta Shirafi, Menahal Butt, and Nasir Khalifa

Bibliography:

Gardenswartz, Lee, and Anita Rowe. “10 Ways to Learn More about Other Cultures.” SHRM, 16 Aug. 2019, www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/hr-topics/behavioral-competencies/global-and-cultural-effectiveness/pages/learn-more-about-other-cultures.aspx.

The University of British Columbia. “What Does It Mean to Appreciate vs. Appropriate Culture?   | VPFO | UBC.” Vpfo.ubc.ca, 27 Oct. 2021, vpfo.ubc.ca/2021/10/what-does-it-mean-to-appreciate-vs-appropriate-culture/.

The Canadian Encyclopedia. “Cultural Appropriation of Indigenous Peoples in Canada | the Canadian Encyclopedia.” Thecanadianencyclopedia.ca, 26 Sept. 2017, www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/cultural-appropriation-of-indigenous-peoples-in-canada.

Yesno, R. (2022, June 17). Bridging tradition and the future: Standouts from the Indigenous Fashion Arts Festival 2022 runway | CBC life. CBCnews. https://www.cbc.ca/life/style/bridging-tradition-and-the-future-standouts-from-the-indigenous-fashion-arts-festival-2022-runway-1.6488159

“Up Close and Personal: More with Aboriginal Designer, Kim Picard.” UnDone Magazine, 9 Dec. 2014, undonemagazine.wordpress.com/portfolio/up-close-and-personal-more-with-aboriginal-designer-kim-picard/. Accessed 23 June 2023.