Ten with Ken (Video)

Ten with Ken recently went onsite at the University of Waterloo, to learn more about the world's largest free business incubator, Velocity. For the episode, we spoke to 4 young entrepreneurs, including Ian Tao, Founder and CEO of Sesame. This is our complete interview with him.

Sesame provides competency-based assessment software to primary, secondary and tertiary educators (licensed on a per-student basis). It allows instructors to upload visual, video and text records of a student's acquired skills and competencies, such as in nursing labs or performing arts courses where narrative text and a summative grade are insufficient. As more and more college and university programs gravitate towards competency-based assessment, tools like Sesame will be required.

For more information about Sesame, visit: https://sesamehq.com

Ten with Ken recently went onsite at the University of Waterloo, to learn more about the world's largest free business incubator, Velocity. For the episode, we spoke to 4 young entrepreneurs, including Rachel Thompson, Founder of Marlena Books. This is our complete interview with her.

Marlena Books is a social company producing reading material for individuals with Alzheimer's and Dementia, to improve their quality of life and their dignity. Currently they have 5 hardcover print books, but they are also developing e-books and hope to add 5 more titles each year.

For more information about Marlena Books, visit: http://www.marlenabooks.com

Ten with Ken recently went onsite at the University of Waterloo, to learn more about the world's largest free business incubator, Velocity. For the episode, we spoke to 4 young entrepreneurs, including Steven ten Holder, CEO of Acorn Cryotech. This is our complete interview with him.

Acorn Cryo sends collection kits to individuals who want to cryogenically preserve their own young cells, for use in medical breakthroughs in the future. Young cells will be much more resilient for use in various stem cell therapies, or even to grow new organs for implantation.

For more information about Acorn Cryotech, please visit: http://acorncryotech.com

Ten with Ken recently went onsite at the University of Waterloo, to learn more about the world's largest free business incubator, Velocity. For the episode, we spoke to 4 young entrepreneurs, including Daniel MacKenzie, the Chief Technology Officer at HealthIM. This is our complete interview with him.

HealthIM has built upon PhD research to create a software tool for front-line police officers to record details of a mental health crisis and share that information quickly with other community partners, such as hospitals and mental health professionals. The company is in field with full-paying customers, police forces in Southern Ontario.

For more information about HealthIM, please visit: https://healthim.com

Ten with Ken goes onsite at the University of Waterloo, home to the world's largest free business incubator, Velocity. The program's facilities include a campus Residence, Science facility, Start lounge, and the downtown Garage. In this extended episode, director Jay Shah gives us a tour of the Velocity Garage, explains the 3-stage model of business incubation, and introduces us to some exciting new companies:

Maluuba, an artificial intelligence company recently acquired by Microsoft. Innovative Protein Technologies, which makes FrostArmour spray foam to protect crops from frost damage. Alchemy, which is creating nanotechnology films to protect windshields from impact damage. Vitameter, whose desktop device provides realtime analysis of the vitamins in your blood. Qidni Labs, which is developing an implantable artificial kidney, which could make dialysis obsolete.

We learn about the tight connection between Velocity and Waterloo's longstanding co-op program, and the critical importance of mentorship and peer community as supports for startups. We hear about the funding model for Velocity, which charges companies no rent and takes no equity. (The Start-Up Pledge encourages companies to give back when they make it big.) Jay tells us what brought him back to Velocity after he sold BufferBox to Google: the exciting promise of major breakthroughs based on hard science.

We also got the chance to interview 4 dynamic young entrepreneurs:

Daniel MacKenzie, CTO of Health IM, which has produced software to help police officers record details of mental health crises and share them with community partners. (Full interview at https://youtu.be/GZUkzEOwjv4 ).

Ian Tao, Founder and CEO of Sesame, which provides competency-based assessment software to primary, secondary, and tertiary education. (Full interview at https://youtu.be/rwc4Pd5es6I ).

Rachel Thompson, Founder of Marlena Books, which publishes titles specifically designed for individuals with Alzheimer's and dementia. (Full interview at https://youtu.be/T5dbA0C5610 ).

Steven ten Holder, CEO of Acorn Cryotech, which preserves your young cells so you can use them for life-changing medical procedures in the future. (Full interview at https://youtu.be/WAuS8ly2zD8 ).

3 of these CEOs never even contemplated entrepreneurship until they were immersed in the innovation culture at the University of Waterloo. They were surrounded by entrepreneurial role models, had the opportunity to work in startups as co-op students, and gained the confidence to launch their own ventures.

Next week, Ken sits down with President & Vice-Chancellor Feridun Hamdullahpur, to discuss the broader innovation ecosystem at the University of Waterloo, and to explore just what other institutions might have to do to nurture entrepreneurialism on their own campuses.

In this special double-episode, Ken shares hilarious highlights from last year's April Fool's Day around the world. If you're curious, looking for laughs, or seeking inspiration for your own pranks this April, check out the collection!

Some colleges and universities put real energy into prank media releases, hoax videos, or absurd webpages each April First. Last year, in "Ten Kinds of April Foolery," we inventoried the basic categories, from minor name changes or new mascots to outrageous infrastructure announcements or bizarre new program offerings. We also analyzed the typical structure: begin with something almost reasonable, build credibility with authoritative sound bytes, pile on the absurdities and puns, and finally (often) deflate the whole hoax. Check out last year's special at https://youtu.be/v-dSiWr3KHM

On April 1 2016, we carefully monitored thousands of higher ed news releases and video feeds, and here are some of the highlights we found. (This summary doesn't do the jokes justice at all – watch the episode!)

Thompson Rivers University tweeted that they were dropping the "S" from their name.

Ohio State University's colours were being renamed "ruby and porpoise."

The University of Oregon announced an incredible upgrade to their playing field.

SAIT Polytechnic almost unveiled their new visual identity. (But not quite.)

Bryn Mawr College launched a replacement for campus email, Bananagrams.

Biola University Math professor Matthew Weathers got into a tussle with his videotaped self.

Sheridan College announced a new Bachelor of Modern Media Consumption degree.

Lethbridge College unveiled the Canadian Centre for Excellence and Innovation in Northern Hemisphere Coffee Bean Cultivation.

Simon Fraser University released the new Canadian taste sensation, Poutine Lattes.

Animals:

Kwantlen Polytechnic University announced a partnership between their Farrier program and campus security.

SAIT Polytechnic became an official "Kitty Campus."

Duke University added a squirrel video to their homepage.

The University of Nottingham built an urban gym for tubby squirrels.

York University's Glendon Campus announced a new Wildlife Communications program.

Canadian Mennonite University launched a new major in Equestrian Studies.

Acadia University announced that livestock would return to the campus farm.

Iowa's Luther College added sheep and goats to its grounds crew.

University of Victoria announced mixed results for their interactive petting zoo in the campus library.

Researchers at Queen's University Belfast created dragon eggs.

Oakland University brought grizzly bear cubs to campus.

The Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum announced a one-day tribble breeding program.

Campus Infrastructure:

The University of Saskatchewan held a lottery for a luxury loft on campus.

Durham College got an interdimensional portal.

Langara College's demolished its famous rock to make room for a park bench.

West Virginia University replaced stone staircases with weatherproof escalators.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison installed pneumatic tubes to bypass elevators.

MacEwan University installed magical staircases.

The University of Glasgow installed a "helter-skelter" inside its historic clock tower.

Oakland University was repurposing miles of underground tunnels.

Dalhousie University announced "Dal-Kea" furniture.

The CERN LHC uncovered music inside the Higgs Boson.

Library & Archives Canada acquired the journals of Wolverine.

Oberlin College replaced student pics with preschoolers.

The University of Rochester went full-on Harry Potter.

Fanshawe College's library was closing to become a movie theatre and Starbucks.

Best of Show:

The government demanded UK universities rent out underused space to AirBnB guests.

The "Fortunate 500" ranked world universities at completely random.

The University of Florida and Florida State University announced a merger, in the tiny town of Perry.

Virginia Commonwealth University launched their "Tats, not SATs" program, requiring tattoos for admission and graduation.

To watch the originals of any of the videos excerpted in this webcast (at least, those that are still on YouTube), check out our playlist at https://youtu.be/v-dSiWr3KHM?list=PLodJ8ParJmYXiHt5dDGxr-7Vf3-ob87Ko

Last episode, Ken's 10th annual "Year in Review" continued with a look at some of the bigger PR headaches afflicting North American colleges and universities, with a focus on cultural insensitivity and its consequences. (Think Mount St Mary's, Missouri, Yale, Ithaca, and Harvard.) Check out Part I: Budgets & Bunnies at: https://youtu.be/1fnN8QOFrWs

This week, he profiles 2 major PR migraines in more detail, which occurred at UBC and the University of Toronto. Both attracted international media attention, hundreds of articles and blogs, millions of views and outrage on both sides.

At the University of Toronto, Psychology prof Jordan Peterson ignited a firestorm by insisting that, should a gender non-binary student ever ask him to use non-standard pronouns like "ze" or "zir" or even singular "they," he would refuse. He went on to repeat himself ever more loudly, aggressively, and insistently. Opponents called him transphobic and insensitive to human dignity. He called them biology-deniers and left-wing social justice warriors. The debate continues well into 2017.

Video clips: Jordan Peterson on why pronouns aren't about respect. Davie Addison. https://youtu.be/EXvU8DEbyAw Jordan Peterson speaks at University of Toronto protest. Genuinewitty https://youtu.be/HAlPjMiaKdw Genders, Rights and Freedom of Speech. TVO's Agenda with Steve Paikin. https://youtu.be/kasiov0ytEc University of Toronto Free Speech Debate. Jordan B Peterson. https://youtu.be/68NHUV5me7Q

At UBC, the Galloway Affair was unquestionably the heavyweight champion headache of the year. It started in November 2015, when the university temporarily suspended the head of its creative writing department, bestselling novelist Steven Galloway. The official announcement of "serious allegations" made thinly-veiled references to campus "safety," and advised "counseling" for anyone affected. Throughout 2016 there were media exposés, and the rumour mill generated tales of bullying, sexual harassment, threats, and more. UBC appointed a former BC Supreme Court Justice to lead an impartial investigation. After 5 months, her report dismissed all but one complaint against Galloway, but still resulted in his termination for a "record of misconduct that resulted in an irreparable breach of trust." Major donors withheld funds, renowned authors like Margaret Atwood and Michael Ondaatje called for another investigation, and witnesses for the complainant objected that the process had been unfair. A grievance from the UBC Faculty Association is heading into arbitration shortly.

Video clip: http://globalnews.ca/video/2351577/ubc-creative-writing-program-head-suspended

Watch the video for all the details! More great content is coming up next week - please subscribe or follow on any of a dozen platforms so you don't miss it! http://eduvation.ca/subscribe/

This week, we start our annual look at college and university PR challenges and controversies with politically incorrect remarks, budget crises, workplace bullying, racial tensions and presidential resignations, across North America. 2016 Higher Ed Headaches, part I: Budgets & Bunnies!

Bad luck, bad decisions, and even poor choice of words can derail an academic presidency. Last year started with president Simon Newman at Maryland's Mount St Mary's University. In January he made international headlines for his colourful metaphor to describe his approach to improve student retention statistics: drown the bunnies! He then demoted the Provost, fired two faculty members, and was beset with protests, AAUP objections, and an investigation by accreditors. After weeks of chaos, he resigned.

CBS Baltimore news: https://youtu.be/mUjkVwJ-RCs

Kevin Nagel resigned as president of Keyano College in Alberta, after plunging oil prices took a toll on the region's economy, and the college budget. (Even before the wildfire.)

Cape Breton University's board dismissed president David Wheeler over his attempts to avert a faculty strike (without involving the board negotiating committee).

Brock University announced a "mutual decision" not to proceed with the appointment of its new president, just 3 days before she was to take office. The national media reported on an investigation into her department at Ryerson, based on anonymous allegations of a "toxic workplace."

Cultural insensitivity and political incorrectness can be capital offenses on campus. Racial microaggressions have roiled many US college campuses in recent years.

The University of Missouri was rocked by hunger strikes, a faculty walkout, and a tent city in the crowd – but made international headlines when the football team went on strike. Within weeks, system president Tim Woolfe and the Chancellor both resigned. Undergraduate recruitment suffered immediately, with new students dropping 24% in a single year.

USA Today – Resignation - https://youtu.be/0DCgJZ7_oEE

KMBC News – Enrolment decline - https://youtu.be/3eaRzGsFo-A

Black Lives Matter protestors at Ithaca College in New York held a walkout in solidarity with Mizzou, and 72% of students and faculty voted no confidence in president Tom Rochon. In January he announced that he would step down – in 19 months!

Ithacan Online – Walkout - https://youtu.be/OV-wKIK68Ac

Ithacan Online – Interview - https://youtu.be/V5WBn0yGbdU

ICTV NewsWatch - Interview – https://youtu.be/ENCSxvwxl3E

Microaggressions weren't always fatal to presidents; sometimes it was just the figure-heads who rolled. At Georgetown University in Washington DC, protests against 2 buildings named for former presidents who had arranged the sale of slaves to fund the institution eventually led to them being renamed. Harvard University Law School agreed to drop its official shield, which commemorated a wealthy slaveowner donor.

Yale University was less easily convinced that it needed to change the name of Calhoun College. In April 2016 they insisted the name would not change. But after a year of protests and bad publicity, Yale finally relented in February 2017.

WTNH News – April 2016 - https://youtu.be/_r99qrgHWEg

WTNH News – Feb 2017 - https://youtu.be/FiIGOHGct8A https://youtu.be/Q818EHSlEuY

In Canada, protests over racial insensitivities are more proactive than reactive. At Wilfrid Laurier University, protesters managed to derail a project that would install statues on campus of all 22 former prime ministers. They insisted it was insensitive to First Nations and minority groups.

That's part I of 2016 Headaches. Next week, we'll look at 2 of the biggest PR migraines of the year. They caught the public imagination because they involved sex and gender. Next time: Pronouns and Poets. Stay tuned!

Ken Steele is Canada's foremost higher ed strategist, speaker and facilitator, and for more than a decade he has presented hundreds of keynotes, campus presentations and workshops across North America, every year.

In this brief video, he introduces himself, and the long and winding road that brought him to a unique vantage point on higher education.

For more information about Ken's campus presentations, please visit http://eduvation.ca/services/campus-pd-presentations/

For virtual keynotes, delivered remotely at much lower cost, visit http://eduvation.ca/services/virtual-keynotes/

For committee workshops, see http://eduvation.ca/services/workshops/

Ken Steele is Canada's foremost higher ed strategist, speaker and facilitator, and for more than a decade he has presented hundreds of keynotes, campus presentations and workshops across North America.

In this brief video, he describes how a combination of rich media, mini-keynotes, audience interaction, group discussion, and real-time polls keeps some of the toughest audiences engaged: college and university professors, front-line staff, senior administrators and governing boards.

For more information about Ken's campus presentations, please visit http://eduvation.ca/services/campus-pd-presentations/

For virtual keynotes, delivered remotely at much lower cost, visit http://eduvation.ca/services/virtual-keynotes/

For committee workshops, see http://eduvation.ca/services/workshops/