Hossein Rahnama, a postdoctoral researcher at Ryerson University and a member of the Steering Committee of Ryerson's new Digital Media Zone, in the digital think tank overlooking Dundas Square. His latest project, The Public Transit Travel Assistant, is a mobile application designed to help passengers with disabilities navigate transit systems.
The bright ideas of Ted Rogers School of Management students have earned them top awards at a recent competition.
Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) Ryerson were big winners at the 2010 Advancing Canadian Entrepreneurship (ACE) Central Canada Regional Exposition, winning two of three challenges and finishing second in the other. The ACE event is an annual contest for students to develop economic and learning opportunities for target audiences in their community.
SIFE Ryerson went up against 17 university teams from central Ontario to become regional champions in both the HSBC SIFE Financial Education and SIFE Green – Environmental Sustainability contests. The team was the runner-up in the TD SIFE Entrepreneurship challenge.
“It feels great to win. This is the first time SIFE Ryerson participated in three challenges at the regional competitions. Our achievements are a reflection of everything we’ve worked for, on programs that are making a real difference in the community. I’m extremely proud of the team,” said Rohan Sharma, SIFE Ryerson president.
SIFE Ryerson won the inaugural sustainability challenge for three ideas the team developed: RU Green Challenge, a six-week environmental initiative encouraging individuals to make more environmentally sustainable decisions; Customized Informatics Solutions, a project that helps existing businesses implement environmentally responsible strategies; and the BlackBerry Green App Challenge, an international contest for BlackBerry users to create a concept for an application that solves a common environmental or sustainability issue within a company.
SIFE Ryerson won the HSBC SIFE Financial Education championship title for Start Smart, a program that gives secondary school students the necessary tools to save money for their future. Members of SIFE Ryerson teach students about the importance and value of financial planning.
The SIFE Ryerson team will travel to Calgary in May for the 2010 ACE National Exposition to defend their national championship in financial education. They will also compete against more than 50 teams from across the country for a chance to represent Canada in the 2010 SIFE World Cup in Los Angeles in October. The teams have to develop a 24-minute live presentation, complete with annual report, to convey their overall community impact to panels of business representatives.
Every dollar counts.
Lessons like that – which might have helped this credit-dependent generation had they learned them early – are being taught to a lucky few in high schools by an enterprising group of Ryerson University business and marketing students.
$tart $mart, a program created and implemented by the university students volunteering with a charity, gives practical financial lessons to mostly at-risk students at high schools.
Last month, their program won them an annual challenge through Students in Free Enterprise, a charitable organization engaging teams of post-secondary students to use their own financial literacy education to give back to their communities.
$tart $mart is a series of interactive, financial planning seminars and a training manual, aimed at youth with limited financial literacy skills, that teaches effective budget management, short- and long-term financial planning, the importance of saving and income tax regulations.
“We see it really does work,” says Andrea Belvedere. “They’re learning things that are actually relevant to their lives.”
Follow-ups show students change spending habits, develop better credit and debt management, and start investing for their future.
“It’s not necessarily a bad thing to admit you don’t know that much about financial literacy and financial education,” Belvedere says. “We (don’t) teach in a way that makes them feel like they’ve missed things.”
The 4-year-old program has grown quickly, reaching some 360 participants aged 16 to 25 in seven institutions last year, who committed to saving 25 per cent of discretionary income each month and, in total, saved about $3,500 in six months.
They plan to expand the program to 50 Toronto high schools within five years and are working with the Ministry of Education to have their manual certified. At present, 12 Ryerson students belong to the program, but they also have contacts with field experts, who come in as guest speakers.
The program is a valuable addition to the curriculum, says Sunil Singh, a teacher at Eastdale Collegiate Institute, whose Grade 11 workplace class participated. Because the Ryerson students are also young, “they share their own personal experiences in money management,” he says.
His students did weekly budgets and compared them, finding motivation in each dollar saved, Singh says. Many of the students are living on their own, some are pregnant and some are already parents.
“These kids especially need the skills that are being offered by Ryerson, more so than others, because they can’t afford to have quarters and dollars go here and there,” Singh says.
Their experiences were also eye-opening for the Ryerson students, he notes.
Danforth Tech teacher Ian Richards says his students were shocked to learn, among other things, that just one missed credit card payment gets recorded on their credit rating.
“There were lots of open mouths, because most students … don’t understand how much it can damage you in the long term.”
That carefree attitude about money, so common among young people, is what they are trying to counteract, says incoming program director Sara Farajian. “We realized that … especially high school, students don’t really take care of their expenses. They are not planning for the future. Saving money is crucial in their lives and that’s what we were able to make them realize.”
That’s information everyone needs, some argue.
Recently Toronto trustee Josh Matlow spoke out about the need to teach basic financial skills as early as Grade 4.
Although Education Minister Kathleen Wynne says the secondary school curriculum has enough places where such issues can be taught, many disagree – particularly other teachers.
“What we’ve heard from post-secondary institutions, is that, generally, students come to them very ill-prepared,” Richards says. “They haven’t had to take very much personal responsibility for their finances. I felt that this was something that they really should know.”
Both Richards and Singh say they look forward to the program’s return next year.
With this past year’s success, their ultimate goal is to get people to realize the importance of fiscal responsibility and pass on knowledge, Belvedere says.
Online modules are being prepared that will be available to anyone on the Internet.
Students: the bell tolls for thee—the school bell, that is. The back to school countdown is on, and while students across the GTA psych themselves up for another academic year, faculty and staff at Ryerson University are busily preparing for them. Summer may be winding down, but fall is revving up and Ryerson has plenty of new things in store for the ‘09/’10 academic year.
Here’s a look at the highlights:
Ryerson Mobile Applications (R mobile)
Ryerson mobile applications are being developed by a multi-disciplinary team of student and faculty representatives from the Library, Computing and Communications Services, Department of Computer Science (Ryerson Ubiquitous and Pervasive Computing Lab) and Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE). Grouped under the banner “R mobile,” the following mobile phone apps have been developed in response to student need: campus maps, campus directory, news and events, student schedules, booking study rooms, finding available computers on campus, and accessing the library catalogue.
Orientation / Welcome Back Events
This year, Orientation Week: Unite: Make Your Mark (August 31 to September 4) is part of a larger transitional program created by students for students that extends through the summer until mid-October. The traditional week of social activities includes a world record attempt, a commuter mingle, Amazing Race-style scavenger hunts and a beach party. The fun continues with events in September and new events are being added every day. Full Orientation schedule: http://www.ryerson.ca/orientation/orientation09/
Guinness World Record Attempt
World’s Largest Air Guitar
Wednesday, September 2 at 3:00 p.m. in the Quad
The Ryerson Community continues to make its mark on the record books with this Orientation tradition of attempting to break a Guinness World Record. Last year it was the world’s largest sword fight. This year the student run Orientation Team (O-Team) asked incoming students for their world record suggestions and the response was: world’s largest air guitar! The competition requires more than 1,200 RU community members to mock rock out in the Quad with their shades on.
Grad Studies Expansion @ Ryerson
Ryerson University’s School of Graduate Studies continues its rapid growth, with four new programs debuting this fall:
• MSc in Applied Mathematics
• PhD in Environmental Applied Science and Management
• PhD in Psychology
• PhD in Policy Studies
Starting in September Ryerson will be offering 31 master’s programs and nine PhD programs.
Bridging Program First Years
This fall, Ryerson welcomes its first cohort of undergraduate students who have successfully completed the Ryerson University Now (RUN) bridging program. Ryerson’s Department of Outreach and Access, led by Rona Abramovitch, offers the program which allows students at risk of dropping out, or who may complete high school but not consider continuing their education, the opportunity to earn a University credit before they even step foot on campus. In September these students arrive on campus to embark on their full-time studies with a Ryerson credit already under their belt. Read news story.
Distinguished Visiting Professor:
Peter C. Newman
Starting in September distinguished visiting professor Peter C. Newman arrives at Ryerson. A legendary journalist and bestselling author, Mr. Newman will join both the Faculty of Communication & Design and the Ted Rogers School of Management, for Ryerson’s first distinguished visiting professor cross-appointment. As a Distinguished Visiting Professor, Mr. Newman will deliver lectures to graduate and undergraduate students as well as to the public.
Athletics
• Ryerson welcomes a new head coach for the men’s basketball team. Roy Rana joins the Rams after nine years at Eastern Commerce Collegiate Institute in Toronto, where he led the Spartans to five OFSAA provincial championships. He also holds strong ties to Canada Basketball, where most recently he led the Cadet Men’s National Team to qualification in the 2010 under-17 world championships.
• The 2009-10 varsity season kicks off with men’s and women’s soccer teams will when they host the Queen’s Gaels on September 5 at Lamport Stadium.
For more Back to School publicity materials, including downloadable photos and expert tips for students and parents on everything from finances and shopping, to leaving home and managing your weight, visit http://www.ryerson.ca/news/media/spotlight/backtoschool/index.html.
Ryerson University is Canada’s leader in innovative career-focused education, offering close to 100 PhD, master’s, and undergraduate programs in the Faculty of Arts; the Faculty of Communication & Design; the Faculty of Community Services; the Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Science; and the Ted Rogers School of Management. Ryerson University has graduate and undergraduate enrolment of 25,000 students. With more than 68,000 registrations annually, The G. Raymond Chang School of Continuing Education is Canada’s leading provider of university-based adult education.
Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) Grand Chief
Stan Beardy, together with POA Educational Foundation Chairman Aditya Jha, is
pleased to announce today the eight NAN participants and mentor organizations
for Project Beyshick 2009 – a unique mentoring program that pairs NAN First
Nation entrepreneurs with mentors from the Toronto business community.
“The skills these participants will develop by working one-on-one with
mentors in the Toronto business community will be invaluable when they return
home to set out on their own business ventures in their home First Nations,”
said Beardy.
Developed by POA Educational Foundation and NAN in 2005, Project Beyshick
is a one-week job-shadowing program focused on entrepreneurship among First
Nation youth (ages 21-35) within NAN territory. Successful program candidates
participate in training programs from Dale Carnegie and Ryerson University
Business School to gain valuable practical business experience. Participants
gain hands on experience job-shadowing senior level business executives and
successful entrepreneurs in areas of their interest. Previous participants
have gained valuable work and life experiences, and made significant progress
towards their entrepreneurial goals.
“Year after year we see encouraging results that Project Beyshick is
helping First Nation people develop their business and leadership capacity,”
said Jha. “We acknowledge that this is just a small step towards our wider
goal of helping First Nations become equal partners in the economic prosperity
of Canada and Canadian life, but this is a good start.”
This year’s participants were recruited from four categories – students,
entrepreneurs, professionals and community leaders – and include:
– Archie Meekis, Deer Lake First Nation
– Keri Cheechoo, Long Lake 58
– Linda Trudeau, Moose Cree First Nation
– Patrick Cheechoo, Constance Lake First Nation
– Damian Bouchard, Aroland First Nation
– Roxann Shawaykeesic, Eabametoong First Nation
– Kyra Kaminawaish, North Caribou Lake First Nation
– Bernice Kakekagumick, North Caribou Lake First Nation
Participating organizations for Project Beyshick 2009 include TVO, BMO
Financial Group, Laura Secord, SkyLink Group, National Post, Penguin Canada,
Poirier and Brightling (P&B) Marketing Inc., Prego Della Piazza and Karma
Candy Inc.
Project Beyshick ends with a competition that awards $15,000 to the
participant who prepares the most feasible business or career plan.
The project is organized with help from members of Students in Free
Enterprise (SIFE) Ryerson, Ted Rogers School of Management at Ryerson
University and the Dale Carnegie Business Group.
POA Educational Foundation is a charitable foundation – founded and
funded by Canadian entrepreneur Aditya Jha – aiming to provide support for
educational and entrepreneurial initiatives in regions with specific
challenges and pressing needs. The foundation takes special interest in
nurturing prosperity and financial independence amongst Canadian First Nation
communities and individuals.
Nishnawbe Aski Nation is a political territorial organization
representing 49 First Nation communities in James Bay Treaty 9 and Ontario
portions of Treaty 5 – an area covering two thirds of the province of Ontario.
Note to media: Participants will be available for interviews throughout
the program.
BACKGROUNDER
PROJECT BEYSHICK
– A one-week career and mentoring/job-shadowing and educational program
established in 2005 to promote entrepreneurship among First Nation
youth (ages 21-35) within Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) territory.
– Candidates participate in workshops at some of Canada’s leading
business schools while gaining hands on job-shadowing experience with
Toronto-based senior level business executives and successful
entrepreneurs.
– Developed in response to unique needs and conditions of NAN’s 49
First Nation communities and nurtures prosperity and financial
independence amongst First Nations communities and individuals by
encouraging and mentoring entrepreneurial efforts.
– Provides an entrepreneurship award of $15,000 to the participant who
presents the best business or career plan report at the end of the
program.
– Available to NAN entrepreneurs, students, and community leaders
seeking to sharpen entrepreneurial skills and/or pursue business
careers.
– Partners and participating mentor organizations include Nishnawbe
Aski Nation (NAN), POA Educational Foundation, Nishnawbe Aski
Development Fund (NADF), Ryerson University, Trent University and the
Dale Carnegie Training.
– 2008 participating organizations included HSBC Canada, Toronto
Police, TV Ontario, BMO Bank of Montreal, Karma Candy Inc., Prego
Della Piazza, Sears Canada, Globe & Mail, Royal Ontario Museum and
the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
For further information: Ashutosh Jha, Director of Project – POA
Educational Foundation, (416) 834-5274 or ashutosh@poafoundation.org; Michael
Heintzman, Media Relations Officer – Nishnawbe Aski Nation, (807) 625-4906 or
(807) 621-2790 mobile