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| GSA News & Views | University of Calgary Graduate Students' Association
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Important Dates
Health and Dental
Opt-out/ Opt-in Deadline
GRC
Jan. 26, 5:30 pm
ST 147
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GSA Twitter
@GSACalgary
 Follow the GSA Twitter account for up to the minute updates about important deadlines, workshop dates, giveaways and much more! We can be found at: https://twitter.com/GSACalgary
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meetU App
 Download our new App to keep up with all GSA events and other events around campus! You can also create and host your own events using the App. For more information, visit the MeetU website: |
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(Part 1 of 2)
What are you studying?
I am working on my PhD in Electrical Engineering
You recently received the IEEE MGA Young Professionals Award. Could you please tell me about it?
IEEE is the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. It's the world's largest engineering society. They have several types of chapters: Student Chapters, Professional Chapters, Women in Engineering chapters etc. The award that I won is the Member and Geographic Activities (MGA) Young Professionals Award. This year they have given the award to 4 people from all over the world. It's a very prestigious award which garners competitors from around the world.
What did you do to stand out amongst the other applicants of the award?
When I began at the University of Calgary in 2013 there weren't many student activities in my department and not a lot of students knew about IEEE. I started to establish myself a bit more at the university and focused more on professional development. I organized events with IEEE at the university such as speed geeking, a networking mixer. I was seeing that grad students were very busy with their studies and were not interacting with each other as much as undergraduates were. A large percentage of graduate students are international and they are facing different challenges such as how to speak and write English, so we hosted a lot of networking events for this sect of the university in order to bridge the gap between students, alumni, and professionals working in the industry. The award I won is an individual award but the group I am a part of with IEEE has also won the Best Canadian and Global Young Professional Group Award. We have an effective model for how to run these Young Professionals groups so I am helping other chapters set up their own groups. I am working in the field of RFs and microwaves - basically wireless communications, the design of power amplifiers etc. I was trying to see how the work I was doing could help eradicate some humanitarian challenge. I figured out that there is a huge potential to collaborate with individuals who use ham radios which can be used during emergency situations and natural disasters wherein traditional communications methods become impossible to use.
You sound incredibly busy! How do you balance all these activities that you are involved with and your academics?
I just schedule my time. I come to the school early and work in the lab until about 4 or 5 and then from about 5 to 9 I am working on all these other projects. My weekends are also very busy with projects. I am able to do all of this because of the constant support of my supervisor, Professor Fadhel Ghannouchi. He is a very nice person and an equally well established researcher.
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GSA Leadership Scholarship
Application deadline - Monday, Feb. 1
The GSA will be awarding one GSA Leadership Scholarship (valued at $5,000) to a graduate student (registered full-time in a graduate program in the Faculty of Graduate Studies) who has demonstrated outstanding leadership and involvement in the university community.
To apply: Students should submit (1) most recent transcript, (2) a copy of their current CV highlighting volunteer contributions, (3) a maximum 2-page statement describing their leadership and citizenship activities and outlining their contributions to the university community, and (4) two reference letters which supports the leadership experience and involvement in the university community (reference letters can be submitted directly to the e-mail address by the referee).
Deadline: Applications should be submitted in PDF form to Danica MacDonald, GSA VP Student Life, at vpsl@gsa.ucalgary.ca no later than 4:30 pm on Monday, Feb. 1. For questions, please also contact Danica.
For full terms of reference for this award, please click here.
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Funding Opportunity - Individual & Family Bursaries
Deadline: Friday February 12, 2016
These bursaries are available to graduate students who demonstrate financial need as a result of extenuating circumstances. All full and part time graduate students are eligible. Students may apply for either individual bursaries in the amount of $1000.00 or for family bursaries in the amount of $1500.00. For more information see: gsa.ucalgary.ca/bursaries
Deadline: Friday February 12, 2016
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Extra Quality Money Application Period
Deadline to apply: January 29, 2016
Please note that for 2016 only, there will be an extra Quality Money Application period. If you have a project that will improve graduate student life on campus, please consider applying.
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Understanding Canadian Business Culture and Hiring Staff
Workshops from the Employer Liaison
Jan. 28 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm
Get an understanding of how Canadians do business. You will learn the proper etiquette for communication, the driving force behind business, the process of hiring, including risks and costs, identifying the characteristics of the ideal employee, and how YOU fit in. As a huge component in job seeking success is to network, you will be instructed on the various opportunities there are to integrate with others both on campus and off.
Location to be Determined (Watch your Newsletter and confirmation email). Limited space and registration closes on Thursday, January 28, 2016.
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1) Understanding Canadian Business Culture and Hiring Staff - 8:30 - 10:00 a.m.
Get an understanding of how Canadians do business. You will learn the proper etiquette for communication, the driving force behind business, the process of hiring, including risks and costs, identifying the characteristics of the ideal employee, and how YOU fit in. As a huge component in job seeking success is to network, you will be instructed on the various opportunities there are to integrate with others both on campus and off.
2) Using Social Media to Gain Employment Opportunities - 10:15 - 11:45 a.m.
In today's job market, social media has grown to be an integral tool for companies to recruit suitable employees for their labour force. This workshop will teach the importance of being involved in social media, what recruiters are looking for, and how to ensure your best profile is being seen.
Lunch served- 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
3) Information Interviewing: A Strategic Tool For Job Searching - 1:15 - 2:45 p.m.
Over 80% of job postings are never advertised. This workshop will focus on Field Research (also known as Informational Interviews) as a means to landing those unposted positions. You will learn how Informational Interviews allow you to: identify the kind of skill sets companies want in your field; what kind of career options are available within a certain company or profession; and allow you to build your professional network in order to tap into the hidden job market.
4) Negotiating Your Dream Job - 3:00 - 4:30 p.m.
Negotiation is a fine art and can be intimidating when you're not sure how to ask for what you need. In this workshop, you'll learn the process for negotiating a job offer, then apply what you've learned in mock negotiating scenarios.
Limited space. Registration closes on January 27, 2016
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Assessing Your Transferable Skills Developed Through Your Graduate Program
Workshops from the Employer Liaison
Feb. 3, 4-6pm
A workshop by Julie Brown and Matthew Geddes, a collaboration of the GSA and Career Services
As a Master or PhD graduate, you have developed advanced research, analytical and technical skills. Employers value these but expect you to also possess a range of transferable skills that, at this point, you're not even sure how to identify. This workshop is designed to educate you on a variety of skills categories, recognize the skills of others and yourself, and self-assess your skill level to identify skills gaps. A variety of My GradSkills resources will be pro
vided to assist you in opportunities to improve on these skills gaps will be presented.
This workshop is for Graduate Students (Master and PhD students ONLY)
Wednesday, February 3, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. MT 214 (GSA offices)
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Mentorship Program Ambassador
Deadline to apply: January 29, 2016
This newly created position will be a volunteer position speaking on behalf of the student experience of the GSA's Mentorship Program.
Currently the VP Finance and Services is in the process of creating appropriate procedures for the position and hopes to secure a suitable candidate for the position by January 29.
If you are interested, please email vpfs@gsa.ucalgary.ca
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Discounted Tickets - Body World Vital (at Telus Spark) - $15
Jan. 25
The GSA will be offering discounted tickets to Body World Vital at Telus Spark.
Regular Price = $24.94, discounted rate = $15
If you are interested in purchasing tickets, please e-mail gsasesc@ucalgary.ca and let us know how many tickets you would like. Order will be placed on Friday, Jan 22nd at noon. For more information about the event, visit here
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Board Game Night at the LDL - Free food and lots of fun!
Jan. 25
There will be free food and non-alcoholic drinks and a chance to meet up, hang out, and play some great games.
Bring your friends or come by yourself! Everyone is welcome.
Come join us for a fun evening Monday, Jan. 25 at 6pm.
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Trivia Night at Foothills
Jan. 29, 5:30pm
Come and join us for some Trivia, pizza, and a chance to win $80 in LDL coupons (1st place) or $40 in LDL coupons (2nd place).
To reserve your spot and receive further information, please registrar your team of 4 by e-mail to gsasesc@ucalgary.ca
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The GSA will be offering self-defense workshops at various times on the main campus and, if there is interest, on Foothills Campus
Monday, Feb. 1 at 5pm (Personal Safety and Self-Defense: beginner - 2 hours)
Sunday, Feb. 7 at 1pm (Personal Safety and Self-Defense: beginner - 2 hours)
Wednesday, Feb. 17 at 5pm (Personal Safety and Self-Defense: beginner *women's only - 2 hours)
Saturday, Feb. 20 at 1pm (Personal Safety and Self-Defense advanced - 2 hours)
Please e-mail gsasesc@ucalgary.ca and let us know which class(es) you'd be interested in signing up for and we will get your name on the list.
Each session can only take 20 people and spots will fill up quickly!
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Discounted Movie Passes - $25
The GSA is offering discounted movie passes to Cineplex Theatres. Passes include 2 adult admissions, 2 regular soft drinks, and one regular popcorn and is valid for a year. Passes can be picked up at the GSA office (MT 214) on a first-come, first-served basis.
The GSA office is open from 10am until 4:30pm Monday to Friday and only cash or cheque payments can currently be accepted. Please note: There is a limit of 2 passes per graduate student.
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Let's Talk Science - Call for Volunteers
Let's Talk Science is a national, charitable, outreach organization that engages post-secondary student volunteers at universities and colleges across Canada to turn kids on to STEM (science, technology, engineering and math). Volunteering for Let's Talk Science is a rewarding experience which allows you to gain valuable leadership, communication and organizational skills in addition to unique professional development opportunities. Our extraordinary volunteers visit classrooms in the Calgary area and present hands-on workshops related to STEM. We have volunteer opportunities in Calgary, rural areas, on campus (including events at the Children's Hospital and Foothills campus labs). If you are interested in volunteering please email lts@ucalgary.ca. For more information visit www.ucalgary.ca/lts. We also host The Science Engineering and Technology Challenge for grade 10-12 students, which will take place on June 11, 2016. The event will simulate the Amazing Race where challenge stations geared at learning science, technology, engineering and teamwork will be distributed throughout UofC. If you are interested in designing a challenge station for SETC or would like more information, please email Sean Baek at sibaek@ucalgary.ca.
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| Indigenous Graduate Award
Application period January 4 - February 1
Alberta Innovation and Advanced Education announced a new grant for graduate students of Canadian Aboriginal identity. Eligible students can receive up to $15,000 and no less than $7,500. This award is offered to graduate students enrolled full-time in a master's or doctoral degree program in the2015-2016 winter semester. The Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS) is accepting applications from January 4 - February 1, 2016. Please see the awards section of the FGS website for more information and application instructions.
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| Indigenous Graduate Award
Application period January 4 - February 1
Alberta Innovation and Advanced Education announced a new grant for graduate students of Canadian Aboriginal identity. Eligible students can receive up to $15,000 and no less than $7,500. This award is offered to graduate students enrolled full-time in a master's or doctoral degree program in the2015-2016 winter semester. The Faculty of Graduate Studies (FGS) is accepting applications from January 4 - February 1, 2016. Please see the awards section of the FGS website for more information and application instructions.
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Staying Within Copyright Law
If you are using copyrighted material in any of your courses, either as a TA or an Instructor, you must be sure that the material has proper Copyright Clearance. Since the University of Calgary has opted-out of Access Copyright, it is important that everyone maintain vigilance in adhering to the University of Calgary's policy on Acceptable Use of Material Protected by Copyright. If you have any questions, please contact the Libraries and Cultural Resources Copyright Office at copyright@ucalgary.ca or visit the copyright website for more information.
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Available Openings - 'Technology Coaches'
Looking for graduate students to work
part-time
The Learning Technologies Faculty Support program is now recruiting graduate students who would like to work as part-time technology coaches. Coaches will partner with instructors in participating faculties to better integrate learning technologies into course activities.
A willingness to try out and learn new technologies is a plus for these positions, as are good interpersonal and communication skills. Please check the website to see which faculties are now hiring technology coaches, and specific requirements for each position
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Novo Nordisk Graduate Programme
Do you have a recent master's degree and an international mind-set?
join one of the Novo Nordisk Graduate Programmes and kick-start a life-changing career. The Graduate Programmes provide a great springboard for launching a life-changing career in one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies. We are currently looking for more than 70 talented graduates to start in September 2016.
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| Writing Boot Camp
January 12 - April 14
Having trouble motivating yourself to write? Sign up for a Writing Boot Camp session and draw on the collective energy of other grad students as you toil away together in a quiet, (gently) supervised, and sunny space in the Student Success Centre (3rd Floor, TFDL). Sign up at www.ucalgary.ca/ssc.
Boot camps run from January 12 to April 14.
· Tuesdays, 9 am-12 pm
· Thursdays, 1-4 pm
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About Us
We provide a strong foundation for our members and community by offering valued services and programs that support and empower graduate students during and after their academic endeavors. We create an environment built on fiscal sustainability, social engagement, and effective representation.
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Contact Us
University of Calgary Graduate Students' Association
214 MLT
Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4
403 220-8609
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Join Our Mailing List
The GSA News & Views is a self-managed list that allows students to unsubscribe at any time. Please note, if you do unsubscribe, you will be responsible for locating important GSA information, like bursary & award deadlines, Health and Dental Plan Opt-In/Out deadlines and volunteer opportunities, etc.
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