October 24 2012 - Over the Edge UNBC ENERGY TOUR HANNA PETERSEN NEWS EDITOR A recent survey of university graduates has demonstrated that UNBC annually pro- duces more graduates for northern BC than all other degree-granting institutions combined. This was found in the annual Baccalaureate Graduate survey that was conducted by the BC govern- ment in 2011, providing data for 2009. That year, 70 per- cent of UNBC’s class of 2009 were living and working in northern BC, and the number was significantly higher than the total produced from UBC, UVic, SFU, Royal Roads, and Thompson Rivers University. The success in producing university grads for northern BC is one of the findings being presented to regional districts and other commun- ity officials through the fall by UNBC officials. The pres- entations began in Terrace and Williams Lake before continuing in Fort Nelson and Dawson Creek. Future pres- entations are planned for Burns Lake, Prince George, Prince Rupert, and Ottawa. The goal of the presentations is to provide an update on UNBC developments, includ- ing the opportunity to ex- pand the bioenergy facilities at the Prince George campus and integrate them with housing and food production to demonstrate the founda- tional elements of commun- ity sustainability. A blog has been established to foster dialogue on the opportunity. “We've created [the blog] to share information and foster dialogue on a unique oppor- tunity for UNBC related to the sustainability of northern and rural communities. It’s rooted in the academic strengths of the university, the values of the student alumni, and the unique campus _ infrastruc- ture that is now energized by bioenergy,” says Rob van Adrichem, Vice President of External Relations at UNBC. “We're calling it the ‘energy tour’ There are a lot of reasons for this name: our energy project, the energy at the university leading up to the 25th anniversary in 2015, and the growth of the energy industry in northern BC as one of the defining features of the region these days.” Students are wel- come to follow Rob van Ad- richem and the energy tour at blogs.unbc.ca/energy. GRAY NAMED RESEARCH CHAIR HANNA PETERSEN NEWS EDITOR A professor in the Northern Medical Program (NMP) at UNBC has been named the university’s ninth Canada Research Chair. The Canada Research Chairs (CRC) is a program that stands at the centre of a national strategy to make Canada one of the world’s top countries in research and development. The CRC program invests yearly to attract and retain some of the world’s most accomplished minds. “Our government’s top priority is creating jobs, growth and long’ term prosperity,” said Minister of State (Science and Technology) Gary Goodyear. “By investing in talented people through programs such as the Canada Research Chairs, our government is supporting cutting-edge research in Canadian post-secondary institutions. This fosters innovation by helping researchers bring _ their ideas to the marketplace, where the they can touch lives of Canadians.” Dr. Sarah Gray, the NMP's first-ever Canada Research Chair appointment, has been named a CRC in Integrative Physiology of Diabetes. The NMP is a part of the Faculty of Medicine at UNBC. Dr. Gray’s research is funded for $500,000 over the next five years. “This is a great honour for me,” says Dr. Gray. “I feel very fortunate to have this funding for my research and to have the stability it will provide my lab for the next five years.” Dr. Gray’s research focuses on the link between obesity and diabetes. Recent data suggests there are 350 million diabetics in the world. Three million of these cases are Canadians, who in 2010 _— incurred a cost of $12.2 billion. “Novel strategies to reduce diabetes prevalence are urgently needed,” says Dr. Gray. “My research aims to understand the_ biological processes linking obesity with diabetes. Our goal is to identify therapeutic targets to reverse or even prevent diabetes and provide = empirical evidence to support lifestyle interventions.” “It’s very fitting that a researcher of Dr. Gray's calibre has been appointed as the NMP’s first Canada Research Chair,” says UNBC Vice Provost of Medicine and UBC’s Regional Associate Dean for Northern’ BC, Dr. Paul Winwood. “This is emblematic of the NMP’s maturation as a research institution, and reflects the fact that our faculty conducts world- class research in addition to training physicians.” In total, $121.6 million is being invested to support 155 newly-awarded = or renewed Canada Research Chairs. These chair-holders will undertake new, cutting edge research at 42 PHOTO SOURCE UNBC.CA Canadian post-secondary institutions. “With — this federal funding, — chair- holders will improve our depth of knowledge and quality of life, strengthen Canada’s international competitiveness and train the next generation of highly skilled people,” adds Chad _ Gaffield, President of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council and the = Chair of the Canada Research Chair Steering Committee. GREYHOUND T HANNA PETERSEN NEWS EDITOR Greyhound plans to cut the frequency of its northwest bus service due to continuing losses. The company now runs 22 buses per week along Highway 16 between Prince George and Prince Rupert. The reduction will see frequency drop to 14 buses a week. Greyhound also wants to reduce service between Prince George and Fort St. James to one trip per week, down from the current six. In its application to the Passenger _ Transportation Board, the company said it could reduce its BC losses by approximately $6.75 million if it was able to eliminate one route and cut services on 15 others. Greyhound has been cutting services on routes elsewhere in Canada in the face of rising costs and dropping passenger numbers. “I do feel for the smaller communities to some extent and know they will feel cutoff. But we’re seeing a_ shift in demographics, among a number of other 0 CUT SERVICE = ihe: things. Unfortunately, we need to make a business case,” says Greyhound BC passenger service Manager Grant Odsen. Several women have gone missing or been’ found murdered along Highway 16; there is concern that a reduction in bus services could see an_ increase in hitchhiking along the highway. The Passenger Transportation Board is willing to accept public comment until mid October. Terrace city councillor BPO SOURCE TRANSPORTACTION.CA. Stacey Tyers said she'll be asking for council support in sending a letter requesting that Greyhound not reduce its service. “We are the Highway of Tears,” says Tyers, noting that without the bus service, the only method of transportation for some people along Highway 16is to hitchhike. Greyhound Senior Vice President Stuart Kendrick has said there is no intention to abandon the route, saying, “We’re very aware of the concerns on the Highway of Tears and we’re still operating there.” According to a submission to the Passenger Transporta- tion Board, Greyhound said the average passenger load is just between 10.48kg and 11.07kg, and revenue per passenger mile is between $2.31 and $2.25 on the two trips it wants to eliminate between Prince George and Prince Rupert.