The Keynote: December 2021

Registration for our January Grad Pro Skill workshops opens Thursday, December 16! Check out our January offerings below or visit the upcoming workshops page to see the full Winter 2022 schedule.

January workshops:

Starting Off Strong: Digital Library Resources 101 – Thursday, January 13 from 1 to 2:15 p.m.

Learn about accessing academic journal articles and books online, the benefits of an online research consultation with your subject librarian and how to access specialized digital resources such as datasets, cases, patents and standards.

Public Speaking – Tuesday, January 18 from noon to 1:15 p.m.

It is difficult to avoid public speaking during your graduate studies and once you enter the work world. This workshop will cover some of the challenges, best practices and tips to building your confidence and conveying your messages more effectively.

*This workshop is a requirement of the Professional Communication Certificate.

Writing a Review of Literature – Thursday, January 20 from 10 to 11:15 a.m.

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.

Grant Writing: How to Write a Winning Grant Application – Tuesday, January 25 from 4 to 5:15 p.m.

This workshop addresses both practical and conceptual aspects that are important to the grant writing process. It is designed for graduate students considering a career in academia. Emphasis is given to such things as idea development, identification of the most appropriate granting agency and how to write for reviewers.

Introduction to Research Data Management – Thursday, January 27 from noon to 1:15 p.m.

Not sure where to start with research data management? In this workshop you will learn about current best practice 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.

• Registration to participate in the 2022 Virtual Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) competition will open on Friday, January 14, 2022. 

• The School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies general inquiries office (SIRC 1121) will be closed starting Monday, December 20, 2021 and will reopen on Tuesday, January 4, 2022. Virtual and phone appointments will still be available from December 20 until December 23, 2021.
  

• 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.

• As a reminder, the deadline to submit Thesis Packages and Certificate of Approvals (COA) to SGPS is December 16, 2021. Thesis packages/COA's received after this deadline will result in fees for Winter 2022. For thesis packages/COA's received early in the Winter 2022 term, a tuition refund may apply.

• Applications are now open for the Kimberley Black Graduate Scholarship, valued at $5,000. This scholarship is awarded to students pursuing a graduate degree full-time or part-time in the Faculty of Education who demonstrate a commitment to issues pertaining to women. Deadline for submissions is Friday, January 28, 2022.
  
  
• Applications are open for the Soroptimist Foundation of Canada Grants for Women, valued at $8,500. These grants are awarded to female graduate students in Canada to assist them with university studies that qualify them for careers which will improve the quality of women’s lives. Deadline is January 21, 2022.
  
  
• A reminder that the deadline for the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation Doctoral Scholarship, valued at $50,000 per year, is fast approaching. Deadline is December 21, 2021 at 5 p.m. EST.
  
  
• A reminder that the deadline for the Claudette MacKay-Lassonde Graduate Scholarship is January 10, 2022. One $15,000 award is granted to a woman studying engineering full-time at the PhD level.
  
  
• Applications are now open for the Canadian Water Resources Association Scholarships, valued between $1,500 and $5,000. All six scholarships are awarded through a single application process. Selection of the award recipients is based on the overall ranking of the applications.
  
  
• A reminder to all grad students that the tuition payment deadline for the Winter 2022 semester is Monday, January 10, 2022. Make sure to review your account in the MyCampus portal.

• The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) is the leading mental health research facility in Canada, and one of the largest in the world. Each year CAMH provides opportunities to the next generation of scientists. To learn more about the 2022 Talent Development Competition, visit the CAMH Research Students & Fellows web page.

• Writing Workout is an online weekly writing group exclusively for graduate students. It will begin on September 9, no meeting on September 16 or 30, and run through December 17, 2021. Thursdays 9:30 a.m. to noon. Focus on your writing, revising, and reading. Come for part or all the time. Consultations are offered at other times. Pre-registration not required. Contact tessa.troughton@ontariotechu.ca for any questions.
  
  
• In a collaboration between the university and Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences, three courses are available that 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.

• Are you looking for a place to de-stress? You are in luck! Join SGPS Community Connections for another fun-filled social event on Thursday, December 16 from noon to 1 p.m. for virtual Sip N’ Play on Gather. Sip your coffee/hot chocolate while playing games. See you there!

• Interested in sharing or learning about other cultures? Then join Cultural Links! You'll have the opportunity to:

  • Connect with diverse others to enrich the diversity that exists
  • Cultivate a broader understanding of various cultures and experiences
  • Create an opportunity for you to share your own cultural heritage

• Always apply for OSAP. Many variables when assessing your OSAP and eligibility to receive funding could change every year. Also, make sure your winter semester course load matches what's in your OSAP application—if not, this will delay the release of your second semester funding. Make updates with SAFA.