The Keynote: April 2022

Registration for our May Grad Pro Skill workshops will open on Thursday, April 14! Check out our upcoming workshops page to view the Spring/Summer 2022 workshop schedule.

May workshops:

Writing a Review of Literature - Thursday, May 12 from noon to 1:15 p.m.

A literature review is a summary and evaluation of significant documents and developments on a topic. Completing a literature review will ensure a good understanding of a topic. In this workshop you will learn how to properly construct a literature review and how to organize your research.

Starting Off Strong: Digital Library Resources 101 - Wednesday, May 25 from 2 to 3:15 p.m.

The Library offers robust online and digital services that can help you succeed in your graduate studies. In this workshop you will learn all about accessing academic journal articles and books online with ease, the benefits of an online research consultation with your subject librarian, and how to access specialized digital resources like datasets, cases, patents, and standards.

Introduction to Intellectual Property - Tuesday, May 31 from 1 to 2:15 p.m.

Intellectual Property (IP) is an important element of our economy, and vital to the innovation ecosystem in academia. Understanding the of role of IP, and how it can be leveraged to make an impact on society is crucial. This online workshop aims to introduce University members to intellectual property (IP). Basic IP concepts are explained with emphasis on University and Canadian context. 

Congratulations to our 2022 Three Minute Thesis winners and finalists!

First Place: Emmeline Meens Miller – Identifying Salivary Cytokines Associated with Prolonged Sitting

Runner-Up: Mir Afgan Talpur – Improving Image Matting Through Deep Learning

People’s Choice: Danielle Bates – Moving Towards Inclusive and Engaging Physical Education for Girls

Finalists:

Kavian Khosravinia – Healthy Fast Charging Strategy for Electric Vehicles Using Deep Neural Networks

Ana K Espinosa – Mock Jurors’ Perceptions of Children Testifying via a Language Interpreter

Cassandre Dion Larivière – Smile for the Webcam: The Effects of Rapport Building on Information Disclosure in Virtual Interviews

Read the Ontario Tech news story

Watch the 2022 Finalist Videos

• SGPS invites you to our Celebration of Excellence on Thursday, April 21 from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. as we honour our 2020 and 2021 Graduate Excellence Awards winners. The Graduate Excellence Awards recognizes the achievements of our faculty, postdoctoral fellows, staff and students. Please register to attend the virtual event.

• Nominations for the 2022 Graduate Excellence Awards will open on Monday, April 18. The Graduate Excellence Awards recognizes the achievements of our faculty, postdoctoral fellows, staff and students in the following areas:
  • Excellence in Service Award
  • Postdoctoral Fellow Excellence Award
  • Graduate Student Leadership Award
  • Award of Excellence in Graduate Supervision

• Are you defending your thesis in the Winter 2022 or in the Spring/Summer 2022 term? Once you have successfully defended your thesis, you must formally submit a thesis package to SGPS. Submission procedures, deadlines and conditions can be found in the Graduate Academic Calendar or on the SGPS website.

• Students and supervisors are required to submit research progress reports at the end of each academic term. Research Progress Reports are a useful tool to connect with your supervisor and to document your research success/struggles and future goals. Download the form to begin documenting your progress.

• REMINDER that the Canadian Graduate and Professional Student Survey (CGPSS) has been distributed to graduate students and is due April 22. In order to improve graduate programs, we need to hear from as many graduate students as possible.
  
  A personalized survey link has been sent to OntarioTechu.net emails.

• SSHRC has launched the sixth edition of the International Policy Ideas Challenge call for proposals. This initiative supports training and coaching for graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and early career researchers in building presentation, writing and knowledge mobilization skills that will inform policy development on emerging international policy challenges. Application deadline is May 20, 2022.

• Complete the voluntary Ontario Tech Student Communication Survey and be entered into a draw for a chance to win 1 of 5 $50 Amazon eGift cards The survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete. The answers collected will be used to ensure future communication planning at the university is meeting the needs of our students!

• The Better Together Series has a variety of events taking place in April including: Arts and Self-Care and National Immunization Awareness Week Q&A. View the full list of events and register on our Mental Health events webpage.

• The Moose Hide Campaign is an Indigenous-led grassroots movement standing up to end violence against women and children. Join the Moose Hide Campaign informational webinar on Monday, May 2 from 2 to 3 p.m. May 12 is Moose Hide Campaign Day. Tune into the livestream from 11:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. or join the workshop from 1 to 2:30 p.m. When registering, please be sure to indicate your affiliation with Ontario Tech University. 

• safeTALK is a three-hour suicide alertness program that prepares community members to be suicide alert helpers. Register for this single day, three-hour training session that must be attended in-person. 

• iLaunch, is a series of in-person and virtual workshops taking place from May 2 to 4, for new grads designed to launch you into the next phase of your life. At iLaunch you will: chat with different employers about ways to be successful in your job search, develop strategies to enhance your job search and learn practical work-readiness skills. For a full schedule visit the Student Life Portal and register to let us know you’re coming! 

• The Career Centre and Devant have joined together to provide career supports for international students. Check out, and register for all the great workshops that are happening in April; including a live expert panel discussing Careers in Digital Comms & PR, Perfecting your Interview Skills and a Q&A with a Canadian Immigration Lawyer!

• Bannock and Books is an Indigenous book club series designed to explore Indigenous culture and ways of knowing. This month’s featured book is 21 Things You May Not Know About the Indian Act, by Bob Joseph. It acts as an essential guide to the Indian Act, and its repercussion on generations of Indigenous Peoples. The book club will be followed by the sharing circle, which is hosted on June 27. 

• Recovery College is a collaboration between Ontario Tech University and Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences. Four courses will be held over the Spring / Summer semester and will provide education about mental health and wellness, and help people to discover or rediscover passion, hope and meaning. To view the course descriptions and register, visit the mental health groups web page.

• Complete the Student Food Security Survey by April 15 for your chance to win 1 of 6 $25 grocery gift cards or 1 of 6 Ontario Tech clothing bundles! Your responses will shape future food security initiatives to support Ontario Tech students.
  
  
• Applications to the Brilliant Incubator Program are now open! Running from May to August, this program is designed to help students and recent-alumni build and grow their own companies. Deadline to apply is April 17!
  
  
• A new resource is available that will provide graduate students and early-career researchers with the tools and resources to develop an effective knowledge management and communication plan. Topics Covered:
  • Communication Tools and Strategies
  • Social Media
  • Community Engagement and Collaboration
  • Data Sharing and Usage
  • IP and Commercialization
  • Influencing Policy

• 2021-22 OSAP Extension Forms are available! If you are a full-time OSAP student returning, you will need to complete an OSAP Extension Form. Information is available on MyOntarioTech. Do not apply through the OSAP website. If you’re planning to study part time, apply via the OSAP website.