The Keynote: September 2022

• SGPS is pleased to offer Graduate Professional Skills training through face-to-face online workshops and self-directed e-learning. Whether your path will lead you to industry, academia, government or non-government organizations, Grad Pro Skills will help you diversify experiences, build capacity, and enhance the 21st century competencies needed for a successful future.
  
  
• SGPS is excited to offer a collection of self-directed e-learning resources, freely available through Canvas. These self-paced modules and e-courses allow Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Fellows the flexibility to enhance their skills when it is convenient for them, at any time during their degree, from anywhere in the world.
  

Registration is now open for our September and October Grad Pro Skill workshops! Visit our Upcoming workshops page for full details. 

September Grad Pro Skill workshops:

Starting Off Strong: Digital Library Resources 101 - Thursday, September 15 from 12 to 1:15 p.m.

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. 

Conflict Management - Wednesday, September 21 from 2 to 3:15 p.m.

This workshop encourages critical thinking, provides problem solving strategies and teaches conflict management skills. Critical and creative thinking, conflict resolution and problem-solving skills are essential for being successful. 

Introduction to Research Data Management - Tuesday, September 27 from 1 to 2:15 p.m.

In this workshop you will learn about current best practices for research data management, how effective research data management relates to grants and funding, and how to get started on creating a research data management plan.

• Beginning Monday, September 12, 2022, SGPS business hours will be 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  
  The SGPS front line office (SIRC 1121) will be open 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday for in-person inquiries.
  

• The Fall deadline to apply for Graduate Conference Travel Awards for conferences between October 1, 2022 and March 31, 2023 is Monday, October 31, 2022. For more information visit the Graduate Student Conference Travel Award Guidelines page. 

Effective for Fall 2022, SGPS would like to announce the following:

• All oral examinations will resume in person and the examination attendance policy will be enforced (See Section 10 of the Thesis Oral Examination policy).
  
  
• A student’s thesis package will include one electronic copy of the original thesis and a printed hardcopy is no longer required (see section 6.2 of the Thesis Submission policy).
  
  
• Students who would like to bind personal copies of their theses can do so directly through several different binding companies listed on the Library Thesis Publishing webpage.
  
  
• New versions of all thesis forms and handbooks are available on the SGPS website. Please use these versions moving forward.
  
  
• If you have any questions or concerns, please email gradthesis@ontariotechu.ca.

• The Tri-Council (SSHRC, NSERC, CIHR) offers agency-specific postdoctoral fellowship opportunities. As no internal competition is being held, applicants interested in applying for one of these fellowships will submit directly to the specific agency:
  
  
  • NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowships - Deadline: October 17, 2022. The NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowships (PDF) program provides support to a core of the most promising researchers with leading-edge scientific and research skills for Canadian industry, government and academic institutions. 
  • CIHR Postdoctoral Fellowships - Deadline: October 5, 2022. CIHR Postdoctoral Fellowships provide support for highly qualified applicants in all areas of health research at the post-PhD degree or post-health professional degree stages.
  
  Please note, SGPS does not have access to view applications in progress. If you are interested in applying to the CIHR Postdoctoral Fellowship program you must notify SGPS via email to postdocs@ontariotechu.ca of your intent to apply.
  
  SGPS is responsible for final approval of all CIHR submissions and will submit applications promptly on the competition deadline.

• 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 September!

• The Visiting Elder Program provides the university with an opportunity to learn from an Indigenous Elder. Elders are important members of First Nation, Métis, and Inuit communities and are recognized for their knowledge, experience, wisdom, harmony and balance. Pat Green will be hosting virtual sessions the week of October 3 to 7. Register for a visit today!

• Join Siobhan O’Connor—Registered Yoga Therapist—to practice mindful movement as part of our fall Health Promotions programming! Wednesdays from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. October 5 to November 30. Wear comfortable clothing and bring a reusable water bottle. Yoga mats will be provided. Register for Mindful Movement. Please note: Each session has a maximum capacity of 10 spots.

• As part of the Health Promotions programming, Dr. Efrosini Papaconstantinou will be offering a Healthy Sleep Workshop on Wednesday October 5 from from 11 a.m. to noon in Shawenjigewining Hall, Room 024. Sleep is an important behavior for overall health and well-being. Good quality sleep is linked to good mental health, reduced stress, and improved academic performance. Register for the Healthy Sleep workshop for the change to win a prize!

• Conversation Cafe runs on Thursday's from 3 to 4:30 p.m. This is an opportunity to meet international students and learn about other cultures as well as a chance to practice English speaking and listening skills. Visit the Student Life Portal to view the schedule and register.

• Student Centred Spaces are running throughout the winter semester. Learn about equity topics and discuss your experiences with those who may share them in a closed Student Centred Space. View the available groups and register for sessions.

• 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. safeTALK participants will learn that opportunities to help a person with thoughts of suicide are sometimes missed, dismissed and avoided and will learn the TALK steps - Tell, Ask, Listen and Keep Safe.

• Student Mental Health Services continues to offer a range of groups, workshops and events to support your mental health. If you would like to participate in one or more groups you can register now.

• Recovery College is a collaboration between Ontario Tech University and Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences. Three courses will be held over the winter 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.
  
  
• Man|Made is a 5 session Program facilitated by Durham Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC). This program is open to anyone who identifies as male and students who sign up must be able to attend all 5 sessions. The group focuses on facilitated conversations and peer modelling to demonstrate and discuss healthy masculinity, sexuality and contribute to a world without violence. If you are interested in registering, you must commit to attending all 5 sessions.

• #Let's Talk Sex Workshop Series. In response to student feedback provided to the Student Sexual Violence Prevention and Support Committee, Student Life has invited the AIDS Committee of Durham Region to deliver some workshops to provide education and destigmatization around topics of sex and sexuality. Part of building a culture of consent and respect on campus is providing space for conversations like these.

• Join us via social media and at booths across campus throughout #wegetconsent awareness week as we spread awareness about consent and sexual violence prevention during Canada's first National Consent Awareness Week. Look out for our booths the week of September 19 to 23 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• RISE (Respecting Individuals, Supporting Equity) sessions are scheduled throughout the winter semester. The RISE Program is a suite of workshops that provide training and education on what participants can do on an individual level to foster a safer and more inclusive community at Ontario Tech. Learn more and register.

• Wellness Walks is a free and fun opportunity that promotes physical and mental health by getting mindful walking breaks during the busy school and workday. Come out for a walk to restore your concentration, uplift your mood, decrease your stress and be a part of your campus community. All students, staff and faculty are invited to participate. Please dress for the weather, wear appropriate shoes for walking and bring a water bottle! View the schedule of walks on the Wellness Walks website.

• Check out the Health Promotions recipe book - curated from submissions by fellow students! Happy, healthy cooking everyone!

• As part of the 2022-2023 Health Promotions programming Holistic Nutritionist Sylvia Emmorey will be offering both in-person and virtual nutrition sessions on various topics to students. These sessions will be both educational and interactive and will involve a recipe demonstration and provide taste testers to students. View the Health Promotions events page for all the details.

• The Employment Readiness Program is a series of workshops designed to teach students practical job readiness skills and skills for navigating the workplace with success. Students who attend the workshop series will have access to additional one-on-one peer support with an Employment Peer Coach who can help address career-related concerns. Workshops will run on Tuesdays from 2 to 4 p.m., starting September 27. 

• Advocates Assemble: Disability Research from the Ground Up is a virtual speaker series that seeks to frame the future of transdisciplinary disability studies research. The first discussion, entitled Advancing Disability Rights Around the World, will be held on Wednesday, September 14 from noon to 1:30 p.m. Register on the eventbrite page. 
  
  
• Looking for employment soon? TALENT works with top employers to provide international students networking opportunities, career planning, and skills building, to ensure you have the best chances in finding meaningful employment upon graduation. Enroll for the incredible value of only $199. To register, please email us at info@ontariotechtalent.ca.

Fall OSAP available:

• Check status on OSAP website.
• Course load, program and year of study reported must match your Ontario Tech course registration. If these details do not match, there will be a delay in your funding.

Check MyOntarioTech for payment deadlines and tuition account balance.