4 CGampus News January 9th 2013 - Over the Edge Ue MIt Physiotherapy Lab ets es 6c ve 2012 PHYSIO LAB OPENS; EXPANDS NURSING EDUCATION HANNA PETERSEN NEWS EDITOR On December 14th UNBC, in partner- ship with UBC, opened the physiolab, marking expanding opportunities for health education in Northern BC. The lab will support UNBC’s role as clinical hub for students in the Northern cohort of UBC’s Master of Physical Therapy Program. “These programs provide further evi- dence of UNBC’s commitment to work with other universities, government and Northern Health to increase the number of health-care workers who are trained in the region,” says UNBC President George Iwama. “The rural Nursing Cer- tificate Program is particularly unique for UNBC in that it emerged from a re- search project led by UNBC professor Martha Macleod. It’s tangible evidence of how research can inform education.” The state-of-the-art lab is connected to the UBC Faculty of Medicine, al- lowing for distributed learning as well as local teaching. It is equipped with four large video monitors, video cam- eras, and a full complement of physio- therapy teaching equipment, including nine plinths (assessment and treatment tables). “Tt is critical that we continue to add health-care training opportunities in Northern British Columbia,” says Shir- ley Bond, MLA for Prince George-Va- lemount. “The Rural Nursing Certifi- cate Program, developed from UNBC research on the nature of nursing prac- tice in rural and northern communities, provides practicing nurses here in the North with a unique opportunity for spe- cialized certification closer to home.” The first 15 NRC students were admit- ted this September and are currently studying coursework at UBC. Their first northern/rural clinical placements will start in April. The students will be placed in Dawson Creek, Fort St. John, Prince George, Quesnel, Terrace and Prince Rupert. “We recognize that healthcare students who are educated in the North are more likely to stay and practice in the North,” says Pat Bell, MLA for Prince George Mackenzie. “Physical therapy students who are part of the new clinical cohort now have the facility and tools they need to continue their studies here in the North. They will have the oppor- tunity to pursue careers and contribute to the economy in the North, providing quality health care to northern and rural communities, keeping them vibrant and healthy.” The Rural Nursing Certificate Program was first developed and implemented as a pilot project starting in 2007. The goals of the program are to promote confidence and increase competence and safety in rural and nursing practice. The program also includes a Remote Nursing Certified Practice course that provides practicing nurses with the op- portunity to obtain the certification re- quired to work in remote communities. oxldsna the prince aietiess winter music festival Jan 18-26 2013 All Mainstage Tickets just 30 bode H6T) All shows start at 7:30pm Tickets available at Books and Co. and Studio 2880 In addition to these mainstage concerts, there will be workshops and local artist showcases at various locations. program subje PG Idol Winner CHAZZ AMOS — | Friday, Jan 18 Ramada Ballroom www.coldsnapfestival.com Dance the Night Away UNBC COMPLETES UNIQUE COURSE WITH JAPANESE UNIVERSITY HANNA PETERSEN NEWS EDITOR Many of the international students at- tending UNBC hail from Japan, and Japanese courses have been continu- ally offered in the International Studies program; recently, however, UNBC has taken a step further in developing a rela- tionship with Japanese universities. The first university course ever delivered to Japan via videoconferencing technology was completed this past semester. The course, an introduction to Gender Stud- ies, was delivered in partnership with Gakushuin Women’s College, which has had a long-standing relationship with UNBC. Twelve Students at UNBC’s Prince George Campus were joined by an addi- tional 28 students participating from Tokyo. The students in Tokyo had all pre- viously attended UNBC for coursework in English language. “We all had a sense we were part of something historic,” says UNBC Professor Jacqueline Holler, who delivered the course and even travelled to Tokyo where she met the Japanese stu- dents for the first time in person and de- livered the course’s final exam. “The technology provided a spectacular platform and there was less than a half- second delay between the two sites. Out- side the scheduled lectures, students also connected with each other via Skype to discuss readings and course content,” adds Holler. The course provided an interdisciplinary study of the role of gender in the structures of society and personal identity. “In delivering this course, I gained a re- newed appreciation for the importance of cross-cultural communication to gain understanding and possibly challenge perspectives we may take for granted,” says Dr. Holler. “As a pilot project, I think this course has provided further evidence of the need for a university like UNBC to be rooted locally while reaching out to the world.” The course also provided evidence for how new technologies, such as high definition videoconferencing, can ex- pand opportunities for UNBC to reach students around the world, as well as in its own region. “This course was history- making for both countries and I’m grate- ful to professor Holler, our IT depart- ment, and our English Language Studies program; all of them stepped up and made this pilot possible,” says UNBC President George Iwama. “Combined with our experience in delivering courses via video conference to our regional cam- puses and through the Northern Medical Program, this international experience demonstrates possibilities for serving re- mote communities in British Columbia and beyond.” Eclectic Funky Celtic Ceilidh TTT 8 Pa $y hi TROY MACGILLIVRAY & FRIENDS Celebrate Northern Spirit Aboriginal Music Sunday, Jan 20 PG Playhouse ArtSpace Beards and Bards Singer Songwriters Thursday, Jan 24 Danse, Danse, Danse Traditional Folk with Eclectic Jazzy Celtic/Folk a collaboration with 2 Le Cercle Des Canadiens Frangais de PRINCE GEORGE Friday, Jan 25 PG Playhouse Saturday, Jan 26 Ramada Ballroom