Educational Aspects and Research Opportunities in Canada and Alberta Bin Han Department of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences University of Alberta, Canada Presented at Cochin University of Science and Technology October 16, 2018 Educational Aspects and Research Opportunities in Canada and Alberta Cochi, India 1 / 32
Acknowledgments Many thanks to Cochin University of Science and Technology and my host Dr. A. Noufal for my visit. Most data and information in my talk are from published sources or online. Educational Aspects and Research Opportunities in Canada and Alberta Cochi, India 2 / 32
Outline of Talk Basic structure of education systems in Alberta, Canada. Major universities and mathematics institutes in Canada. Structure of University of Alberta. Funding agencies in Canada. Research programs and opportunities. Student exchange programmes and opportunities. Collaboration opportunities between India and Canada. Educational Aspects and Research Opportunities in Canada and Alberta Cochi, India 3 / 32
Public Education Systems in Alberta Free public Education: Kindergarten (1 year), age 5. Elementary school (5 years, G1 G5), age 6 11. Junior high school (3 years, G6 G9), age 12 15. Senior high school (3 years, G10 G12), age 16 18. Types of schools: Public schools. Separate schools for Roman Catholic or Protestant students. Francophone schools for education in French. Charter schools for special students. School year: From September to June and 8am 4:00pm. Educational Aspects and Research Opportunities in Canada and Alberta Cochi, India 4 / 32
Public Education Systems in Alberta Provincial Achievement Tests at G6 and G9. Diploma Examinations at G12. Special programs: Academic Challenge (AC) program, Alternative programs (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB) program,... Higher Education in Alberta: University of Alberta (Edmonton). University of Calgary (Calgary). University of Lethbridge (Lethbridge). Athabasca University (online distance learning) MacEwan University (Edmonton). Mount Royal University (Calgary). Educational Aspects and Research Opportunities in Canada and Alberta Cochi, India 5 / 32
Canadian Universities Ontario (31): University of Toronto, University of Waterloo, Queen s University, McMaster University, University of Western Ontario, University of Ottawa, York University,... Quebec (19): McGill University, University of Montreal, Concordia University, University of Quebec,... British Columbia (11): University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, University of Victoria,... Alberta (8): University of Alberta, University of Calgary,... Other universities: University of Manitoba, Dalhousie University, University of New Brunswick, Memorial University of Newfoundland, University of Regina,... Educational Aspects and Research Opportunities in Canada and Alberta Cochi, India 6 / 32
Top 10 Universities in Canada According to QS World University Rankings 2018, University of Toronto (Top 31 worldwide, year 1827, 88700 students). McGill University (Top 32, year 1821, 40500 students). University of British Columbia (Top 51, year 1908, 62900 students). University of Alberta (Top 90, year 1908, 37830 students). University of Montreal (Top 130, year 1878). McMaster University (Top 140, year 1887). University of Waterloo (Top 152, year 1957, 36670 students). Western University (Top 210, year 1878, 28800 students). University of Calgary (Top 217, year 1966). Queen s University (Top 224, year 1841, 22461 students). Educational Aspects and Research Opportunities in Canada and Alberta Cochi, India 7 / 32
Map of Canada (Map is from http://asperia.org/ ) Educational Aspects and Research Opportunities in Canada and Alberta Cochi, India 8 / 32
About Provincial of Alberta Became a province in 1905. Current population 4 millions. Canada s fourth most populous province. Located in Western Canada, east of Rocky Mountains. Two major cities: Calgary (largest, over 1 million), Edmonton (capital, over 1 million). Tourism: Banff national parks, Jasper national parks, Drumheller (world s largest dinosaur valley), Lake Louise, Canmore. Economy: agriculture, tourism, mining (largest oil and gas industry in Canada). Famous ski resorts: Lake Louise, Sunshine Village, Mount Norquay, Nakiska, Marmot Basin,... Hot springs: Banff hot springs, Jasper hot springs. Educational Aspects and Research Opportunities in Canada and Alberta Cochi, India 9 / 32
Alberta Map ( https://www.transcanadahighway.com ) Educational Aspects and Research Opportunities in Canada andcochi, AlbertaIndia 10 / 32
Banff Town (From https://www.q-free.com/ ) Educational Aspects and Research Opportunities in Canada andcochi, AlbertaIndia 11 / 32
Jasper Town (From https://www.alamy.com ) Educational Aspects and Research Opportunities in Canada andcochi, AlbertaIndia 12 / 32
Lake Louise (From https://www.booking.com ) Educational Aspects and Research Opportunities in Canada andcochi, AlbertaIndia 13 / 32
Dinosaur Valley at Drumheller ( https://www.dinosaurvalley.com/ ) Educational Aspects and Research Opportunities in Canada andcochi, AlbertaIndia 14 / 32
The University of Alberta Established in 1908. Currently 37830 students. 20 faculties including Sciences, Engineering, Education,Medicine and Dentistry, Law,... Faculty of Sciences consists of 7 departments: Biologic Sciences, Chemistry, Computing Sciences, Earth and Atmospherical Sciences, Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, Physics, Psychology. Faculty of Engineering consists of 7 departments: Biomedical Engineering, Chemical and Materials Enineering, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, School of Mining and Petroleum Engineering, School of Engineering Safety and Risk Management. Educational Aspects and Research Opportunities in Canada andcochi, AlbertaIndia 15 / 32
University of Alberta (from UofA Website) Educational Aspects and Research Opportunities in Canada andcochi, AlbertaIndia 16 / 32
Ranking of Math Departments in Canada According to Maclean s 2018, top 10 Canadian universities in Mathematics are 1: University of Toronto ( QS worldwide top 19, Toronto). 2: University of British Columbia (Top 27, Vancouver). 3: University of Waterloo (Top 39, Waterloo). 4: University of McGill (To 51 100, Montreal). 5: University of Alberta (Top 51 100, Edmonton). 6: University of Montreal (Top 51 100, Montreal). 7: McMaster University (151 200, Hamilton). 8: Simon Fraser University (101 150, Vancouver. 8: University of Victoria (Top 251 300, Victoria). 9: Carleton University (Top 351 400, Ottawa). 9: University of Laval (Top 351-400, Quebec city). Educational Aspects and Research Opportunities in Canada andcochi, AlbertaIndia 17 / 32
Mathematics Institutes in Canada Three major mathematics institutes in Canada: Organize workshops/conferences and host visitors and postdoctoral fellows. The Fields Institute for Research in Mathematical Sciences (Fields, 1992), located at University of Toronto. Fields Centre de Rescherches Mathematiques (CRM, 1969), located at University of Montreal. CRM Pacific Institute for the Mathematical Sciences (PIMS, 1996), located at University of British Columbia. Mainly for universities in western Canada and USA. PIMS Banff International Research Station (BIRS, 2003), located at Banff in Alberta. Mainly for organizing 2-day or 5-day workshops. BIRS Educational Aspects and Research Opportunities in Canada andcochi, AlbertaIndia 18 / 32
Societies for Mathematics Canadian Mathematical Society (CMS): Organize winter and summer CMS meetings. Publish The Canadian Journal of Mathematics and Canadian Mathematical Bulletin. CMS The Canadian Applied and Industrial Mathematics Society (CAIMS) Organize conferences and workshops related to applied mathematics and industrial problems. CAIMS Educational Aspects and Research Opportunities in Canada andcochi, AlbertaIndia 19 / 32
Mathematics Department in University of Alberta Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Statistics and Probability. Over 60 faculty members. Approximately over 120 graduate students. Approximately 30 50 new graduate students each year. 6 research areas : Algebra Analysis Computational Mathematics and Optimization Differential Equations, Dynamical Systems, Fluid Mechanics, and Mathematical Biology Geometry, Topology, and Mathematical Physics Statistics, Probability, and Mathematical Finance Member of MSRI and PIMS. Mathematical and Statistical Sciences Educational Aspects and Research Opportunities in Canada andcochi, AlbertaIndia 20 / 32
Research Outreach of Our Department Alberta High School Mathematics Competition (AHSMC). International Undergraduate Summer Enrichment Program in Mathematics (IUSEP). PIMS and MSRI summer programs and workshops for graduate students. Alberta Mathematics Dialogue (AMD). Annual meeting of all mathematicians and students in Alberta. Link. Educational Aspects and Research Opportunities in Canada andcochi, AlbertaIndia 21 / 32
Research/Collaboration Opportunities in Canada NSERC (Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada) is the national major funding agency in Canada. Collaborative and Thematic Resources Support in Mathematics and Statistics (CTRMS) Program: $500,000 per year, up to five years. deadline: February 1. co-applicants (max 10). Application: Letters of Intent and Full Applications. NSERC CTRMS program. Educational Aspects and Research Opportunities in Canada andcochi, AlbertaIndia 22 / 32
Research/Collaboration Opportunities in Canada NSERC s Collaborative Research and Training Experience (CREATE) Program: Up to six years, and up to $150,000 for the first year and up to $300,000 for other years. Letter of Intent (May 1) and Invited Application (September 22). Goal: supports the training of teams of highly qualified students and postdoctoral fellows from Canada and abroad through the development of innovative training programs NSERC CREATE program. Educational Aspects and Research Opportunities in Canada andcochi, AlbertaIndia 23 / 32
Research/Collaboration Opportunities in Canada Canada-India Research Centre of Excellence (CIRCE) through NCE (Networks of Centres of Excellence): Application stages: 1) the Notification of Intent (NOI); 2) the Letter of Intent (LOI); 3) the (invited) Full Application (FA) including The proposal, letters of supports, CVs and signature pages. Evaluation Criteria: Management of the Network; Networking and Partnerships; Knowledge Mobilization and Exchange; Development of Highly Qualified Personnel; Excellence of the Research Program. NSERC CIRCE program. Educational Aspects and Research Opportunities in Canada andcochi, AlbertaIndia 24 / 32
Research/Collaboration Opportunities in Alberta Distinguished visitors fund (deadline: May 31 and October 31). Link Distinguished visitors at AMI (Applied Mathematics Institute). Link Educational Aspects and Research Opportunities in Canada andcochi, AlbertaIndia 25 / 32
Postdoctoral Fellow (PDF) Opportunities in Canada PIMS PDF: provide matching fund $25,000 CAD. Competitive, based on excellence of candidate, participating universities (including Alberta), apply through MathJob by deadline December 1. Fields-Ontario PDF: connecting with a major thematic program, 2-year fellowships with $50,000 per year. Fields PDF: $30,000 for a six-month term to participate in a major thematic programs. CRM-ISM PDF: $40,000 for one year (renewable for a second year). H.L. Holmes Award for PDF: Total $100,000 for maximal two years. Scope: chemistry, physics, biology or mathematics as they relate to medical and biological processes. Educational Aspects and Research Opportunities in Canada andcochi, AlbertaIndia 26 / 32
PDF Opportunities at Alberta All the details are available from Postdoctoral Office at the University of Alberta. Banting PDF: $70,000 per year for two years. Two-stage application: initial application to our department and completed invited application by September 19. Izaak Walton Killam Memorial PDF: $46,000 per year for two years. Deadline December 3. NSERC PDF: $45,000 per year for two years. Only Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada can apply. Deadline October 15. MITACS PDF: $22,500 matching fund for industry contributions of at least $22,500 for working on industrial projects. MITACS stands for The Mathematics of Information Technology and Complex Systems. Educational Aspects and Research Opportunities in Canada andcochi, AlbertaIndia 27 / 32
Opportunities for Graduate Students Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship: $50,000 per year for three years. Goal: to attract top doctoral students. Selection criteria (equally): Academic excellence, research potential, and leadership, deadline for nominating institutions: Oct. 31 (for applicants, months before this). More details at NSERC Students and Fellows Educational Aspects and Research Opportunities in Canada andcochi, AlbertaIndia 28 / 32
Opportunities for Graduate Students at Alberta Visiting Graduate Students (research only, must register for Research 900). Link. Category of visiting and exchange students: No Formal Exchange. Exchange. Research 900. Western Deans Agreement. Link. Educational Aspects and Research Opportunities in Canada andcochi, AlbertaIndia 29 / 32
Admission Into Our Graduate Program Programs: MSc (course-based), MSc (thesis-based), PhD. No funding for MSc( course-based), 8 graduate courses plus an approved project. MSc (thesis-based), 6 courses plus a thesis, duration: 20 24 months. Admission to PhD: TOEFL over 100 or IELTS over 7.0. minimum GAP 3.3/4.0 (at least 3.5) in the last two years. Financial support: teaching assistantship, recruitment scholarships, Josephine M. Mitchell Graduate Scholarship and Research Prize,... Department and Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research. Educational Aspects and Research Opportunities in Canada andcochi, AlbertaIndia 30 / 32
Research Interns for Undergraduate at Alberta University of Alberta Research Experience (UARE). Open to 3rd and 4th year undergraduate students at partner institutions including IIT Bombay IIT Kharagpur University of Hyderabad $6,000 for 12 weeks, year-round. Link. MITACS Globalink for 12 weeks, May-September. Link. Educational Aspects and Research Opportunities in Canada andcochi, AlbertaIndia 31 / 32
Exchange/Visiting Students Visiting Student Certificate Program (VSCP). Link. International Summer & Winter Programs. Link. Visiting students (non-exchange) for course works. Link. Educational Aspects and Research Opportunities in Canada andcochi, AlbertaIndia 32 / 32