New radiography program at Camosun
On October 9, Camosun College officially opened its Medical Radiography Technology (MRT) program. This is Vancouver Island’s first MRT program. The official opening included speeches by Ida Chong, Oak Bay/Gordon Head MLA; Kathryn Laurin, Camosun president; and Bob Grant, Vancouver Island Health Authority director of medical imaging. The speakers were followed by the ribbon cutting, which included cake and refreshments, and finally a tour of the facilities with MRT students and faculty. The event took place at the Wilna Thomas Building on the Lansdowne campus.
Chargers get started
The Camosun men’s and women’s volleyball teams hosted their season openers against our island rivals, Vancouver Island University (VIU) on October 12 and 13. The women kicked off the action and,Ędespite a strong battle, were beaten 3Đ0 at the Pacific Institute for Sports Excellence. But the men were able to even the score, sweeping VIU’s men with a score of 3Đ0. Then, in round two of the opening weekend, the women fell 3Đ0 to VIU in a hard-fought battle, followed by a tough 3Đ2 loss for the men.
Harper talks trade
Stephen Harper went to Africa for the first time since 2007 to discuss trade, as opposed to aid. Africa is the second fastest growing region (behind Asia), and the federal government is starting to recognize this. On his visit Harper went to two African nations, Senegal and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). While in the DRC, Harper, accompanied by recently elected Quebec premier and Parti Quebecois leader Pauline Marois, also took part in the 14th Summit of la Francophonie that took place October 13 and 14.
A first in Canada
Victoria is prepping to be the first city in Canada to produce a Youth Poet Laureate (or YPL, an acronym we just made up). A poet laureate is an official, government-appointed poet who is often expected to compose poems for special occasions and events. That will pretty much be the task of the YPL here in Victoria. Once chosen the YPL will perform at Victoria City Council and Victoria Youth Council meetings, and other city events. Applicants must be 21 or younger to be eligible and must submit three poems, in any format, a resume outlining their community engagement experience, and three ideas for projects that they’d be interested in taking on as Victoria’s YPL. For more info search Facebook for “Victoria Youth Poet Laureate.”