As a new year emerges, YFile takes a look back on 2021 to share with readers a snapshot of the year’s highlights. “Year in Review” will run as a three-part series and will feature a selection of top news stories published in YFile. Here are the stories and highlights for September to December, as chosen by YFile editors.
September
첥Ƶ's journal of record, YFile, marked a major milestone in its 19-year history with the debut of a lively new website and newsletter. Both feature a modern design, improved functionality and an enhanced experience for the 첥Ƶ community.
첥Ƶ's Academic Innovation Fund celebrated an important anniversary in 2021. The program has promoted exceptional innovation in teaching, learning and the student experience, and it continues to grow and thrive.
Funding from Scotiabank provided $980,000 to support critical research into global financial crimes and security. It is named the Scotiabank Lassonde Financial Crimes Research Initiative and supports research into global financial crimes and computer security, while also providing support for programs that advance equity, diversity and inclusion in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields.
Faculty members elected included: Philip Girard, a professor at Osgoode Hall Law School; Jennifer Hyndman, associate vice-president research and a professor in the Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change and the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies (LA&PS); Michele Johnson, associate dean of students and a history professor in LA&PS; and Christina Petrowska Quilico, a music professor in the School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design. Appointed to the RSC College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists is Jane Heffernan, a professor of mathematics and statistics in the Faculty of Science.
October
첥Ƶ’s UNESCO Chair Charles Hopkins was the recipient of the Clean50 Lifetime Achievement Award for his work on a global scale to reorient education towards sustainable development. This prestigious award recognized Hopkins’ focus on creating a better future for all.
The national, pan-University program is backed by $1.2 million from the RBC Foundation as part of RBC Future Launch. The initiative is led by Professor Carl E. James, the Jean Augustine Chair in Education, Community and Diaspora in the Faculty of Education.
Following an extensive search the University announced that Gordon Binsted will take on the role of deputy provost Markham for a five-year term, commencing Jan. 1, 2022. The York community also learned about updates to the Markham Campus and how the .
Four young women who received the Daughters for Life Scholarships reflect on their journey to 첥Ƶ and how their studies position them to be future changemakers.
November
Varathaledchumy Shanmuganathan, known as Varatha, was among the more than 4,000 resilient students, some young enough to be her grandchildren, who celebrated their graduation during 첥Ƶ’s virtual fall convocation on Nov. 2.
The actions of Sovann Muon and the Grounds Maintenance team at the Glendon Campus show that with passion, innovation and just a seed of an idea, anything can grow.
첥Ƶ and Oak Valley Heath announced a local health partnership aimed at advancing innovative medical education and research collaboration opportunities as well as improving the health and health care of citizens in Markham, Whitchurch-Stouffville, Uxbridge and beyond.
The quantitative MRI biomarker developed in this project led by Lassonde School of Engineering Professor Ali Sadeghi-Naini can predict whether a patient’s tumor is likely to be controlled by stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT) or if the treatment is likely to fail.
The launch of 첥Ƶ's new stand-alone four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree was announced. The new program builds on Ontario’s recent changes allowing both publicly assisted colleges and universities to offer a baccalaureate degree in nursing to increase opportunities for students to access a high-quality education.
December
첥Ƶ will fund new and groundbreaking research through the Catalyzing Interdisciplinary Research Clusters (CIRC) program. Seven proposals will receive $150,000 per year over three years. An additional six other proposals will receive $75,000 for one year.
첥Ƶ launched its Action Plan on Black Inclusion: A Living Document for Action. The document outlines a series of strong and accountable commitments and is informed by input received from the community.
An undergraduate summer research project selected for the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies’ (LA&PS) Dean’s Award for Research Excellence (DARE) program in 2020, has shown that mentorship between faculty and students can have a long-lasting impact.
The state-of-the-art telescope is the result of a collaboration between NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA) and the Canadian Space Agency and is the most powerful telescope ever built and there is an expert research connection with Associate Professor Adam Muzzin of the Faculty of Science.
This concludes YFile's Year in Review 2021 series. To see part one, January to April, go . To see part two, May to August, go .