(Thunder Bay, November 4, 2003) Lakehead University has been recognized for excellence in teaching with technology by the Office for Partnerships for Advanced Skills (OPAS) and its partners. OPAS is a central point of access to universities, linking leading-edge knowledge and outstanding instructors at Ontario's seventeen universities and an expanding network of universities across the country.

The University Award recognizes outstanding achievement in using technology to enhance and improve teaching in a university setting. Lakehead took home an Honourable Mention for this award in competition with more than 20 submissions. Lakehead's winning entry was the Masters in Public Health program.

This award is for a learning product that uses technology in an innovative fashion and demonstrates effective teaching to enhance the learning experience for university students at either the undergraduate or graduate level.

The team was led by Dr. Darlene Steven, Lakehead School of Nursing Professor and Graduate Coordinator, and Dr. John Jamieson, Lakehead Psychology Department Professor and Graduate Coordinator. Dr. Ian Newhouse, Dean Professional Schools supported the development and implementation of this program. Team members include: Gwen Wojda, Director of Part-Time and Distance Educations; Dr. Livio Di Matteo; Dr. William Montelpare; and Leanne Nalezyty. Dr. Steven says they were also supported by core faculty in Biology, Economics, Kinesiology, Nursing, Psychology, Social Work, Sociology, and Women's Studies. Mr. Stephan Sisko assisted in the development of the website.

"Lakehead University offers a Masters of Public Health degree with two distinct fields: Health Studies and Specialization in Nursing," explains Dr. Steven. "The program is primarily intended to prepare graduates who will emerge as skilled individuals, ready to meet complex health challenges through education, research, and community service. All courses are offered by distance education, and faculty employ various learning techniques including videoconferencing, teleconferencing, and media streaming."

The program started in 2002 and there are approximately 70 students enrolled including physicians, nurse practitioners, community health nurses, researchers, chiropractors, and other students interested in public health matters.

"This award recognizes Lakehead's commitment to being a leader in technology, and demonstrates the outstanding staff and faculty who are creating and delivering programs such as the Masters in Public Health," says Lakehead University President Dr. Fred Gilbert. "Universities need to incorporate technology into all modes of educational delivery, and Lakehead is becoming a leader in this."

OPAS is an affiliate of the Council of Ontario Universities. Visit www.opas-partnerships.com.

Members of the media: Dr. Steven can be reached for interviews by calling 343-8643.

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Contact: Marla Tomlinson, Lakehead University, 343-8177

(Thunder Bay -- October 28, 2003) It's a busy week for developers of the Northern Ontario Medical School. Over 40 staff from the two campuses were in Thunder Bay for a staff workshop Monday and Tuesday; over 25 nominees to the full Board of Directors attended a Board orientation meeting; about 20 members of the Interim Academic Council will meet for their regular full agenda of academic development today and tomorrow in ATAC.

STAFF WORKSHOP -- Monday, October 27 and Tuesday, October 28

The focus of the Staff Workshop was cultural competency, a fundamental skill for staff who will work with faculty and students from different cultures than their own. The School is committed to the recruitment of medical students from diverse backgrounds and students will work in rural and remote northern communities. It is essential that staff understand and appreciate the range of cultural groups and effectively promote individual and family strengths, dignity, and self-reliance.

BOARD NOMINEES

As the Interim Board of Directors prepares for the first full Board meeting in December, they welcomed Tuesday, October 28, nominees from principal partners to the campus. These partners are: Laurentian and Lakehead Universities; the City Councils of Thunder Bay and Greater Sudbury; the Ontario Minister of Training; Colleges and Universities (appointees to be named at a later date); the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association; the Federation of Northern Ontario Municipalities; the Nishnawbe Aski Nation; Grand Council Treaty #3; and the Union of Ontario Indians. Five seats on the Board have been designated for individuals of Aboriginal descent and three seats have been reserved for Franco-Ontarians. Two medical students, two post-graduate medical students, and two faculty members will also serve on the Board. Once the Board is fully established directors will be appointed for three-year terms and serve without remuneration. The Inaugural meeting of the full Board will occur in December.

INTERIM ACADEMIC COUNCIL

Charged with academic governance for NOMS, the Council has a key role -- development of academic programs and recommendation for their approval to the senates of Lakehead and Laurentian Universities. This group convenes regularly and also meets Wednesday, October 29, on the Thunder Bay campus. The Council includes clinical academics, university-based health related academics, post-graduate residents and senior university students and senior Deans from the School. In addition to curriculum proposals, the Council establishes admission criteria and academic procedures and regulations for the MD program.

A new medical school for the whole of Northern Ontario, the Northern Ontario Medical School is a joint venture of Laurentian and Lakehead Universities. With main campuses in Sudbury and Thunder Bay, NOMS will have multiple teaching and research sites distributed across Northern Ontario, in large and small communities. NOMS contributes to improving the health of people in Northern Ontario.

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Contact: Linda C. Ashby ABC, Director of Communications, NOMS, tel.807.343-8992 cell. 807.624-7863

(Thunder Bay, October 23, 2003) Lakehead University's Faculty of Education has officially opened the Department of Lifelong Learning.

"This unique department offers learning experiences through alternative programming and customized quality-added learning packages to meet the needs of our clientele," says Dr. Tom Puk, Chair of the Department of Lifelong Learning. "In the Department of Lifelong Learning, teaching and learning are viewed as generic processes that can be found in many contexts beyond the publicly funded classroom. Teaching and learning are a part of everyday life as we strive to create a learning society whereby the lives of all members of the community are enriched."

Four divisions comprise the Department: Professional Development; Native Language Education; Alternative and Innovative Enterprises; and Public Knowledge Transformation. The Department will offer alternative programs that focus on health, finances, education, leadership, environment and recreation. These sectors of lifelong learning are of critical importance to people as they move from one phase of life to another, from birth to death. Enriching public knowledge will result in capacity building within society by empowering individuals and groups. The Lifelong Learning programs will help to build a learning community within the local, provincial, national and international communities.

"We are delighted to see the opening of the Department of Lifelong Learning," says Dr. Julia O'Sullivan, Dean, Faculty of Education. "The innovative programs in the Department open the doors of the University to people of all ages and walks of life."

For more information on the Department of Lifelong Learning, call the Department at 343-8891 or visit www.lakeheadu.ca/~facedwww/lifelong.

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Contact: Marla Tomlinson, Office of Communications, 807-343-8177

Communications@lakeheadu.ca, www.lakeheadu.ca

(Thunder Bay - October 21, 2003) Lakehead University will be staging the first annual Victoria Inn Men's Invitational Basketball Tournament at the CJ Sanders Fieldhouse from October 23 to 25.

Thunder Bay roundball fans can count on great hoop action as three of Canada's top men's university basketball teams, Laurentian, Regina, and Lethbridge, journey to Thunder Bay to take on the Lakehead Thunderwolves.

Lakehead University Athletics Director Tom Warden said Lakehead is very excited to be hosting this new tournament.

"Thunder Bay and Lakehead University have been host to some of the best events in Canada," he says. "The Victoria Inn Varsity Invitational will be an example of this dedication to excellence in hosting and staging varsity sporting events at the highest level. Head Coach Scott Morrison and our Thunderwolves' basketball program, as well as our very qualified hosting committee, will ensure that the level of basketball and the professionalism of the tournament will be second to none."

Coach Morrison said this new tournament will be a great event for his young team and also for basketball fans in Thunder Bay and Northwestern Ontario.

"I am ecstatic to be part of this new tournament. We have a great committee formed and I expect the tournament to be one of the best presented in the CIS this season," Morrison says. "This is an exciting tournament and each game will be well played and hard fought. The tough competition will be great for our young team as we will soon be tipping off the tough OUA season."

For more information, contact Tom Warden by calling 343-8213.

(Thunder Bay - October 20, 2003) SaniGoo, designed by 16 Lakehead University Shad Valley students this summer, won Best Prototype at the RBC/Shad Entrepreneurship Cup held on October 16.

The annual RBC/Shad Entrepreneurship Cup is a national competition where new products are unveiled that are well positioned to be the next business success story. They are created by students participating in Shad Valley, a program that develops innovative leaders at 10 Canadian host universities. The Cup showcases the best in entrepreneurship, science, and technology and demonstrates what teams of senior high school students can create.

The Lakehead Shad team named their company Innovo Industries Incorporated. They created a toy called SaniGoo, which is a mouldable, stretchable substance that, when played with by children, sanitizes hands and toys. This product is chemically structured to kill bacteria within the first 30 seconds of play.

Each year, student teams at each Shad Valley campuses compete in the development of an innovative product, along with a business plan that demonstrates viability. Once the winners at each campus are chosen, that team continues to develop a prototype, website, and video. The teams then go on to compete against the other Shad teams in the RBC/Shad Entrepreneurship Cup. The Cup judged the teams in 5 categories: Best Overall; Best Business Plan; Best Prototype; Best Website; and Best Video. The Best Prototype is judged on innovation, construction and workability, and overall quality. Lakehead's team also tied for second place in the Best Website category.

"We are very proud of the accomplishments of our Shad Valley students," says Dr. Sultan Siddiqui, Lakehead University Program Director of Shad Valley. "Winning Best Prototype shows the innovation and creativity of these students. I know they will go far in their education and careers with the dedication they have shown with this project."

The Shad Valley students who created SaniGoo are: Scott Cressman, Haafiz Dossa, Thea Gheorghe, Richie Harrison, Michelle Kan, Clarissa Mak, Ron Mandel, Matthias Melhorn-Boe (Lakehead's partnered student), Corinne Riddell, Kajan Umakanthan, Siva Vijenthira, Barb Vriends, Rachel Woynorowski, Lena Yam, Ernest Yau, and Charles Yoon.

Shad Valley puts Shads through a rigorous academic program with a focus on Engineering, Entrepreneurship, Information Technology, Medicine, and Science. During the month-long program, students attend presentations on various topics, participate in workshops, and complete projects in different areas.

For further information, call Dr. Siddiqui at 343-8794, and visit www.sanigoo.com.

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Contact Marla Tomlinson, Communications Officer, Lakehead University, 343-8177 communications@lakeheadu.ca www.lakeheadu.ca.

Banana Split a film produced and directed by Dr. Ron Harpelle and local filmmaker, Kelly Saxberg, has been accepted for competition at the -komedia International Environmental Film Festival in Feiburg, Germany, October 30 to November 2, 2003.

Since 1984, -komedia has presented the latest environmental film productions and film and television trends from around the world. An average of 40 - 50 feature films, documentary films, experimental, and animated films take part in the competition. An international jury awards eight prizes annually.

"This is an exciting opportunity for us to showcase Banana Split to an international audience," says Dr. Harpelle.

The film will also be screened at Finger Lakes Environmental Film Festival at Cornell University, October 3 to 9.

The -komedia Institute for Environmental Media is concerned with raising public consciousness about responsibility towards the environment and social justice. http://www.oekomedia-institut.de.

Dr. Harpelle is available for interview by calling 343-8691.

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Contact: Marla Tomlinson, Lakehead University, 343-8177