Author Archives: Ghoussoub

Does the “I” in CFI really stand for “Innovation”?

Posted on January 21, 2011 by Ghoussoub

Is it the Canadian Foundation for Innovation or really the Canadian Foundation for Infrastructure? The modus operandi of the CFI has skewed university priorities and strained their finances, diverted provincial resources, put pressure on the NSERC and CIHR budgets to … Continue reading →

Posted in Op-eds, R&D Policy | 4 Comments

University governance: what does faculty representation mean?

Posted on January 19, 2011 by Ghoussoub

The last elections for the faculty representatives on UBC’s Board of Governors triggered a legitimate debate about university governance. Should the University Act distinguish between rank-and-file faculty, from those faculty members who hold administrative positions?

Posted in Board of Governors | 4 Comments

Hon. Ministers Clement and Goodyear, Please target this!

Posted on January 18, 2011 by Ghoussoub

Your era at the helm of Canada’s national strategy for research and development, has been one of action, proactive leadership in research policy, tight management of federally funded programs, as well as increased and sustained support for certain research areas. … Continue reading →

Posted in Op-eds, R&D Policy | 1 Comment

Cheer up mathematicians of the world

Posted on January 18, 2011 by Ghoussoub

Especially the young ones who never got to hear about Tom Lehrer. Here is Lehrer’s Lobachevsky. But don’t take him seriously about Lobachevsky. The guy was a genius. In any case, what do you think of this quote? “To copy … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

If the “binning” of Canada’s scientists is here to stay, then here is a way to fix it!

Posted on January 17, 2011 by Ghoussoub

NSERC has recently adopted a new evaluation system for its Discovery Grants. It relies on a “binning system”, that is based on a fragmented decision-making process. It has been widely criticized for its volatility, its lack of uniformity, and for its … Continue reading →

Posted in Op-eds, R&D Policy | 3 Comments

If Canada’s Academia is a monster, then what are education consultants?

Posted on January 15, 2011 by Ghoussoub

What’s with all these Toronto-based consultants on higher education? They very probably never taught a class, let alone one with 600 students. They have definitely never carried out a major research project that took months and years of sweat and … Continue reading →

Posted in Op-eds | 1 Comment

Gutsy statement by Robert Birgeneau

Posted on January 15, 2011 by Ghoussoub

Earlier this week, Robert J. Birgeneau, former President of the University of Toronto and current Chancellor of the University of California at Berkeley, issued a surprisingly blunt and gutsy statement about the Arizona shootings. In a campus wide e-mail, he … Continue reading →

Posted in Op-eds | 2 Comments

No need for expert reviewers nor NSERC staff: Computer can run new binning system

Posted on January 14, 2011 by Ghoussoub

A colleague –with experience on a selection committee– explains below why the new binning system may be announcing “very good days ahead for bad science”. He makes 3 important points in his message below:

Posted in R&D Policy | 2 Comments

No students? Don’t bother apply for Discovery Grant

Posted on January 14, 2011 by Ghoussoub

NSERC Discovery Grants II includes a discussion on the effect of the new “binning system” on the Discovery Grant Program.  I have received since many reports and opinions identifying and emphasizing various flaws in the system. There seems to be unanimity … Continue reading →

Posted in R&D Policy | 2 Comments

NSERC responds (What took you so long?)

Posted on January 14, 2011 by Ghoussoub

NSERC responded today to several of our older posts concerning their programs and policies. You can find their responses in the “Comments section”  following the posts in question (listed in reverse chronological order): NSERC’s 3 newest programs NSERC Discovery Grants … Continue reading →

Posted in R&D Policy | 1 Comment

The R&D expert panel and the $7-billion that won’t buy much

Posted on January 14, 2011 by Ghoussoub

A Government R&D review expert panel is working on figuring out why Canada lags behind many of its peers in capitalizing on research advances despite Ottawa’s $7-billion innovation budget. They are asking for input. Front line researchers are urged to … Continue reading →

Posted in Op-eds, R&D Policy | 11 Comments

What happened to the $8-million?

Posted on January 13, 2011 by Ghoussoub

We reported earlier that in the 2010 federal budget, NSERC received a $13 million budget increase, $5-million of which were ear-marked for the Research Partnership Program (RPP). So, what did NSERC do with the remaining $8-million?

Posted in R&D Policy | 2 Comments

Israeli-Palestinian Peace: UBC Admin. 1 – AMS 0

Posted on January 12, 2011 by Ghoussoub

Last Saturday I attended a forum on “Building Peace between Israelis and Palestinians” at UBC’s Chan Centre. Kudos to the UBC Administration, and in particular to Stephen Owen, UBC’s Vice-President External and Legal, and his colleagues  for organizing such a … Continue reading →

Posted in Op-eds | 2 Comments

Reality check on Canada’s doctoral graduates

Posted on January 11, 2011 by Ghoussoub

First, we graduate too few of them. Secondly, they are snubbed by Canada’s private sector and thirdly, they end up south of the border longing to come back. (Thanks Eddy!)

Posted in R&D Policy | 3 Comments

“Concordia tente de calmer le jeu” but the faculty are showing signs of life

Posted on January 11, 2011 by Ghoussoub

The Chair of the Board of Governors of Concordia University, Mr. Peter Kruyt, finally came out of hiding to declare that …. Concordia is aspiring to be one of the best universities in Canada, within 10 years. Fortunately, he didn’t … Continue reading →

Posted in Board of Governors | 1 Comment

Move over Hilbert, here comes DARPA

Posted on January 11, 2011 by Ghoussoub

Would-be mathematicians learn about David Hilbert’s 23 problems way before they even learn how to ask someone for a first date. Presented by Hilbert at the International Congress of Mathematicians held in Paris in 1900, these problems stimulated mathematical research … Continue reading →

Posted in Op-eds, R&D Policy | 1 Comment

“You get the Board you deserve”

Posted on January 10, 2011 by Ghoussoub

What’s happening at Concordia University seems to be a live illustration of what Richard P. Chait was saying yesterday to a gathering of presidents at a Council of Independent Colleges conference in Palm Springs, California.

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Before we lose sight of the question at hand

Posted on January 10, 2011 by Ghoussoub

In view of the comments –public and private— about my post regarding the UBC Board’s governance, I am led to further clarify the issue intended to be up for debate. Independently of the individuals involved, the FA letter has triggered … Continue reading →

Posted in Board of Governors | 1 Comment

To the memory of two beautiful minds

Posted on January 9, 2011 by Ghoussoub

On January 10, 2010, Sam Roweis, 37, an associate professor at the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, jumped to his death from a 16th-floor balcony at his university-owned apartment. Prior to teaching at NYU, Roweis was an associate professor in … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

While UBC’s Board is tested, others’ are running for cover

Posted on January 8, 2011 by Ghoussoub

“Concordia is looking for a new president.  Salary is $350G and your chances of having to work out your term are close to zero”, tweeted Paul  Wells, … and for La Presse, “Recteurs à Concordia: trois petits tours et puis … Continue reading →

Posted in Board of Governors | 1 Comment