Ground breaking at new Trades Centre
This month marked the official beginning of construction for the new Trades Centre at Camosun’s Interurban campus. The brand-new trades training facility is expected to be completed by the 2015 fall semester, while the upgrades to other campus buildings will not be finished until 2016. Camosun is one of a number of post-secondary institutions in BC to receive targeted trades funding from the provincial government, and has the largest trades school on Vancouver Island.
Camosun DECA shows off in Seattle
Business students in Camosun’s DECA club travelled to Seattle last month to compete in the Pacific Northwest Career Development Conference, bringing in multiple first, second, and third place finishes. The competition included categories such as Business Ethics, Accounting, Marketing, and Financial Statement Analysis. The DECA club helps students prepare for careers in business through skill building and networking, and participates in a number of competitions through the school year.
Alumni worth appreciating
Camosun’s annual Distinguished and Promising Alumni Awards needs nominations for the graduation ceremony in June. The awards recognize graduates from more than ten years ago who are successful in their field and active in their communities. Each award comes with a fund to be directed toward a Camosun project, library purchase, or student of choice. The nomination deadline is March 31.
Canada ends military presence in Afghanistan
This month Canadian troops are leaving Afghanistan, ending a mission of just over 12 years. Originally part of a group hunting al-Qaida, Canadians remained with their goal to help stabilize the war-torn country and protect civilians. Though NATO has pledged aid money to maintain security after the withdrawal, there are still concerns over future internal conflict. Canada’s government has committed to three years of funding.
Moon elevator gathering attention
A Seattle company has been part of the resurgence in interest about the moon, thanks to a far-out idea: an elevator from the Earth to the moon. The LiftPort Group claims their plan isn’t as impossible as it sounds, and has developed concepts to allow for rapid transportation of equipment and even people. NASA has created a program called CATALYST to encourage the creation of technology related to commercial development of the moon, offering development assistance to chosen innovators.
BC government investing in emissions reduction
The provincial government is adding public hospitals, colleges, and universities to the schools already receiving funds to reduce energy costs. The Carbon Neutral Capital Program also aims to enhance clean technology and reduce carbon emissions, and will be expanded to $14.5 million from the $5 million previously allocated. It’s hoped that facilities upgrades will increase energy savings significantly, meaning more money available to the health care and education services.
South Korea becomes free trade partner
Canada and South Korea have agreed to remove most trade tariffs between the two nations, though the impact on consumers won’t be immediately obvious. The tariffs will be reduced over the next few years, reducing prices on imported South Korean consumer goods such as electronics, vehicles, appliances, and clothing. Canada will benefit from the increased export revenues of agricultural products, including beef, pork, and grains.
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