October 16, 1996 ‘ ~ Over The Edge 3 UNBC PROFESSOR TO STUDY HEALTH NEEDS IN SIBERIA Campus News University of Northern Brithish Columbia History professor Aileen Espiritu has recieved a $100,000 grant from the Gorbachev Foundation to assess the health problems of aboriginal peoples in Siberia, and implent programs to foster improvement. Poor health care facilities, enviromental problems, and management of the health care system in the former Soviet Union have EQUIVALENT OF FULL TIME STUDENTS RISES 22% Enrolments this semester are more encouraging than the basic count indicated. The original report had the UNBC headcount at 2,737 on October 4th, up from 2,373 last year. The full time equivalent number had increased by a significantly UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN BRITISH COLUMBIA’S greater percentage: to 2,084 from 1,712 (+22%). The proportion of graduates students with full time equivalents increased by the same percentage: 174.6 from 143. (245 _ headcount, compared to 194). éxacerbated many of the problems. “In the region I propose to study, for example, the local contention by native villagers is that pollution of their local river and waterways has caused cerebral palsy-like symptoms in many residents,” says professor Espiritu. “The major aim of the project is to determine the health needs of native villagers, and promote ‘improvement by establishing local planning mechanisms.” Professor Espiritu will be working on the project with University of Alberta professor David Marples, with plans to visit Siberia about eight times. ; The research program will be undertaken over a three- year period and explore the relationship between industrialization, environmental degredation, and health. RESEARCH FOREST « ESTABLISHED A University of Northern British Columbia research forest will be established near Fort St. James. Forests According to Forests Minister Dave Zirnhelt the research forest will occupy approximately 14,000 hectares of Crown land between Pinchi and Tezzeron lakes. The Ministry of Forests and the university have conducted considerable public consultation including a public mail-out, two briefings to the Fort St. James Land and Resource Management Plan working group and two open houses. Support for the research forest is strong in the local communities. “The research forest will make available a working forest as a training ground for future managers and scientists in forestry and other natural resource disciplines benefiting First Nations and _ the community in both education and employment,” said Zirnhelt. “In addition, this special arrangement between a university and First Nations provides an opportunity to demonstrate and scientifically evaluate concepts and practices for sustainable forest management.” A new report released by the Province and The University Presidents’ Council confirms that BC universities are giving students the education § they need and the education they want. Some highlights: 85% of university graduates find permanent work within two years of graduation (more than one third found permanent work before they graduated). 90% of graduates in full- time employment are satisfied with their current jobs. Nearly 12% were currently continuing their education. Only 2.9% were unemployed and seeking work. 90% agreed that the instruction they received at university was good, and 95% reported they had “learned a great deal.” More than half have pursued further education since receiving a bachelors degree, with most occurring at the university level. Only “The research forest will promote the concepts, methods and benefits of sustainable forest management by providing the students with a hands-on approach to learning and’ research,” said dean of natural resources and environmental studies Fred Gilbert. “The research forest will also provide an outdoor laboratory for faculty and students in forestry, resource recreation/tourism, environmental studies, geography and biology. It gives us an opportunity to work with the Tl’azt’en Nation whose traditional territory occupies part of the proposed research forest.” UNBC and the TI’azt’en Nation have signed a memorandum of understanding whereby the research forest will be co-managed between the university and the TI’azt’en. “This co-operative venture will enable us to provide much needed quality training and employment opportunities for the Tl’azt’en and other mee » 1.448% took college or communities in the area,” said vocational pmegrame ’azt’en Nation Chief H pe —— yatta Sorat Smaps 7600 people took part in the Pierre. “It is exciting that such a program is going to take place in our traditional land.” and benefits of sustainable 1993 survey, which was the first-ever follow-up on university graduates in this. province.