September 29, 2004 Medical Building Delayed Move in date extended to October 4th by Kathleen De Vere >> News Editor I am sure many returning stu- dents can attest to there always being some new construction pro- ject going on around UNBC. Be it the Bentley Center with its new laboratory facilities, which was only completed a few years ago, or the new renovations and expan- sions of the universities fitness center. What we are now seeing raised before our eyes as we wander to school each morning is the prover- bial jewel of UNBC’s eye, UNBC’s own Northern Health Sciences Center whose construction has gone like clockwork for the last 13 months except for a few small obstacles. The new 40,000 square foot building is to house UNBC’s own Medical Department, which is to be the cornerstone of medical practice and research up here in the great white north. The con- struction project was originally scheduled to run a total. of 13 months, from July 4th 2003 to August 30th of 2004, with a move in date of September 17th of this year. However due to unforeseen delays surrounding the acquisition of specialized medical. equipment for the Gross Human Anatomy laboratories (specifically a set of large coolers in which to house UNBC’s first permanent resi- dents), the move in date has now been extended by two weeks to October 4th. Complications con- cerning the construction of the cen- ter were encountered as a result of the vast amounts of high-tech audio-visual equipment to be installed throughout the building. Soil conditions on the site once again proved a hindrance to the university’s construction projects as portions of saturated soil had to be removed frdin the med-build- ing site before the laying of the foundation could be completed, causing slight delays at the begin- ning of the project. At present however, the facilities department is in the midst of obtaining an Occupancy Permit from the City of Prince George, which will consist of an official building inspection and assess- ment of the new building and which will formally designate the completion of the project once the permit is obtained. The shiny new coolers have recently arrived and are being installed. It is not antici- pated that the project will extend beyond the new October 4th move in date. Shelly Rennick, Assistant Director of Facilities here at UNBC, and project manager for the: Northern Health Sciences Center affirms that any delays the project may have encountered fell well within the projects contingency planning guidelines, and that these few delays in construction have added no additional costs to the project. Bob Hellam, project superinten- dent with Wayne: Watson Contracting Ltd., the company responsible for construction of the building, described the recent set- backs as mainly “delivery delays,” and expressed that the project “would be ready” well before the arrival of UNBC’s first med class, which is set to arrive at UNBC in January of next year. This med class will be the first class of UNBC’s Northern Medical Program which aims to become the backbone of community health initiatives here in the north. The Yprogram hopes to entice medical students studying here at UNBC to medical practices in the north after graduation. The medical depart- ment is banking on the universi- ty’s unique community atmos- phere. As well as students close contact with faculty and staff here at UNBC, as real selling points for students wishing to pursue careers in medicine. Leading Edge Endowment Fund In The Modern World by Travis Nielson >> Staff Writer More mofey is coming in to UNBC for research! Gordon Campbell and Martha Salcudean - chair of the leading edge endow- ment fund- announced on june 30th, 2004 that fund declared in principle that they would fund another 11 permanent leadership research chairs at four of BC’s public univer- sities, including UNBC. This money will go to fund research projects that benefit all of BC. It is currently funding several beneficial projects in the forest industry, alternative energy studies, cattle industry sustainability, abo- riginal early childhood develop- ment, cognitive neuroscience, genet- ic medicine, depression, prostate cancer, tourism and sustainable rural development, The leading edge endowment fund was established in 2002 as part of BC’s liberal government’s New Era commitment to establish 20 per- manent leadership chairs across - B.C. The province provided 45 mil- lion dollars for this project with matching funds to be provided by the universities. “These are world class research and innovation projects,” Salcudean said “These internationally peer- reviewed projects provide a unique opportunity to develop innovative and leading edge research right here in B.C. to benefit all British Columbians. Today’s announce- ment is a major first step towards attracting top researchers to enhance British Columbia’s status as a world-class centre for innova- tion.” This is certainly true, and more money coming to UNBC is certainly good as well. Hopefully this will attract more professors to UNBC for the both the benefit to the community and to the students who will learn from them. Possibly this could also mean great strides in development of our fledgling med- ical program starting in January of 2005, bringing an even more presti- gious beginning to this program. Discover Japan! PROGRAMME Experience Japan for a year with The Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme as an Assistant English Teacher or Coordinator for International Relations, beginning August 2005. _ Applicants must be a Canadian citizen, under the age of 40, and hold a Bachelor's Degree by July 2005. Information Session Monday, October 4 - 1:00-2:30 PM Room 5-156 (Library Building) Application Forms and Information Hiroe Wood - International Studies Program, Rm 3022 Consulate General of Japan: www.vancouver.ca.emb-japan.go.jp Tel: (604)884-5868, ext 415 Deadline: November 19, 2004 The JET Programme is an official programme of the Government of Japan Newse 5 Partnership between Tl’azt’en Nation and UNBC The Tl’azt’en Nation and UNBC are working together to research meth- ods off recording Traditional —_ Ecological Knowledge, such as the medicinal uses of plants, place names and forest health. Researchers. are tran- scribing interviews with elders explaining uses of plants. Graduate students and Tl’azt’en research assis- tants will be trained in the classification of ecosys- tems where species of interest are found as well as learning new interview methods, and developing and practicing interview protocols with Traditional Ecosystem .. Knowledge experts. New Faculty | Appointed to Medical Program In preparation for the 24 UNBC inJanuary, two new faculty members have been hired and will 6 Kuo Hsing Kuo is an assistant professor in. the / NMP, and will be in charge ‘of teaching Human Anatomy. Originally from Taiwan, Dr. Kuo obtained his PhD from. UBC and completed his post doctor- al training at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver. Geoffrey Payne, who is also an assistant professor in the new NMP comes. UNBC from cellular and _ molecular physiology of micro-citcu- lation. At UNBC Dr. Payne will be teaching physiolo- By.