Campus Digest — October 29, 2009

Shake on it

The Alberta government and the University of Alberta have agreed to renew a three-year commitment with International Business Machines Corporation (IBM). The partnership aims to increase development of technology in the areas of health, sustainable energy, and efficient business modelling.
Concurrently investing in the project is new project partner, the University of Calgary, who have agreed to participate alongside the U of A.
If successful, the partnership will bolster currently high-profile Alberta industries, such as the fields of health informatics, machine learning, service systems, nanotechnology, and advanced simulation.

I want to ride my bicycle

Starting at 8 a.m. today, students will be able to test their mettle and determination in a 24-hour contest as the University of Alberta Nestea Spinsation 2009 touches down on the Students' Union Building stage.
The event is being hosted by students from the Faculty of Business, and teams from across faculties will compete in the 24-hour stationary bike-a-thon with hopes of raising $10,000 for the United Way.

Where there's a will

A study from the University of Alberta has cast clarity on how to better treat those suffering from lymphoma, and the source might be more readily accessible than some would think.
A three-year study conducted under the direction of Kerry Courneya, a Canada Research Chair in the Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation at the University of Alberta has shown that simple aerobic training can create improvements in the quality of life of those suffering from the disease.
Over 100 patients with Hodgkin's and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma under various treatment regimes exercised three times a week for 4 months, and reported significantly less fatigue, and increased levels of happiness and physical functioning.

No Zero

Montreal architect Sevag Poghurian will be giving a free lecture on his involvement in the development of net zero architecture at Grant MacEwan University on November 4 at 7 p.m. in the CN Theatre, room 5-142.
Poghurian is the architect of the Alstonvale Net Zero House in Quebec — a building project designed to itself provide its occupants with energy for its domestic, transportation, and agricultural needs.

Friday with the VPA

Students' Union Vice President (Academic) Leah Trueblood will be hosting her weekly VPA Fridays on the upper level of Dewey's at 4 p.m. on October 30. VPA Fridays are a chance to discuss issues that affect the portfolio of the SU Vice President (Academic) — representing and advocating for students to administration on the topic of academics. This week's topic will be co-op programs and community service learning.