Humber College is excited to announce its new project to support the skills development in key economic sectors of Kenya's blue economy. Funded by the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and implemented by Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan), Humber will partner with three institutions in Siaya County, Kenya, to deliver skills training programs under the Kenya Blue Economy Skills Training (KBEST-05) Institutional Partnership. Situated in the Lake Region of Kenya, Humber's partners include Bondo Technical Training Institute, Lucy Onono Vocational Training Centre, and Mahaya Vocational Training Centre.

The three-year (2024-2027) initiative will focus on developing and delivering gender-responsive and industry-relevant competency-based education and training curriculum and pedagogy in blue economy skills areas to tap into Siaya County's economic potential in areas including fisheries, tourism, marine transport, aquaculture, and renewable energy. KBEST aims to create industry linkages and pathways for internships and jobs and provide women, youth, and vulnerable populations with the knowledge and skills for employment and self-employment in the blue economy while preserving and maintaining our oceans for future generations.

For more information and how to get involved, please contact:

Vidushi Sanghadia
Project Lead, KBEST-05
vidushi.sanghadia@humber.ca

Faculty can use the Respondus Lockdown Browser for online examinations hosted by Blackboard Ultra to ensure students are not using other online tools while taking their exam. Here are some best practices to follow:

1. Please provide a mock test before the real exam. This gives an opportunity for you and your students to become familiar with the software (also see how to install lockdown browser) and resolve any issues that may arise before the real exam.
2. Please ask students to check if their devices satisfy the minimum requirements outlined here. You may also want to consider doing the exam in a Humber computer lab and run Respondus from MyApps.
3. If students are using a Chromebook, please ask them to do the following:
   1. Clear browser cache.
   2. Enable pop-up window.
   3. Close the browser, and re-open to start the test after installation of the Respondus software.

Learn more about using the Respondus Lockdown Browser.

This article is also posted at BBHub.

The Bhutan Education and Skills Training (BEST) project, funded by the Government of Canada through Global Affairs Canada, aims to transform Bhutan’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system.  

Aligned with the project goal, BEST partners organized an International Women's Day forum focused on creating an inclusive and accessible TVET system for all, especially women, persons with disabilities, and vulnerable populations. On March 12, 2024, the Bhutan Education and Skills Training (BEST) project was nationally recognized in Bhutan, profiling the Empowering All: Inclusive TVET for Sustainable Growth Forum on Bhutan’s national news station, Bhutan Broadcasting Service (BBS) and headlining the front page of the Kuensel, Bhutan’s national newspaper.  

The publications shared how the forum brought together stakeholders to address and overcome the barriers to inclusivity in TVET by sharing insights, developing action plans, and showcasing best practices for creating equitable access and opportunities for all. 

National recognition of this forum in Bhutan is critical to harnessing the transformative power of TVET and creating an environment for all learners to thrive. 

Read the news article 

Watch the news segment

Learn more about the BEST project at idi.humber.ca.

At Humber, we value the health and well-being of our faculty and staff and want to support you every step of the way.   

To support this commitment, Humber’s healthyYOU an online healthy community hub that includes comprehensive well-being resources for employees. 

Create your own healthy experience at Humber by connecting with others, learning more about health, and taking advantage of all the resources available to you. Discover resources to support your financial, social, mental, and physical well-being, on-and-off campus. 

The Employee Resources page highlights and provides links to all the resources listed below, which are available to support employees’ physical, mental, financial, and social well-being. 

Regular physical activity and balanced nutrition have a direct positive impact on our mental and physical health and well-being. Below is a list of physical health and well-being resources available to Humber and the University of Guelph-Humber employees. 

• CAAT Group Benefits Program 
• Faculty of Health Sciences & Wellness (FHSW) Teaching and Learning Hub 
• Humber Arboretum 
• Humber Food Learning Garden 
• Humber Gym 
• Personal Training 
• Adaptive Equipment in the Fitness Centre 
• Humber Pool 
• Occupational Health & Safety Training Programs 
• The Tzu Chi Clinic of Traditional Chinese Medicine 

Effectively managing finances and expenses helps us achieve financial wellness which is crucial to our overall well-being. Below is a list of financial health and well-being resources available to Humber and the University of Guelph-Humber employees. 

• Bell Corporate Plan 
• Discounted Computer Software 
• Soupbar Initiative 
• Tuition Reimbursement and Scholarships 
• Tuition Reimbursement for Dependents  
• $20 Courses at Humber and University of Guelph-Humber 

Social connection and the quality of our relationships and connections with others play a crucial role in our overall well-being. Below is a list of social health and well-being resources available to Humber and the University of Guelph-Humber employees. 

• Career Milestones Recognition 
• Employee Resource Groups 
• Human Rights, Harassment & Employment Equity 
• Indigenous Education & Engagement 
• President’s Awards and Breakfast 
• Professional Learning Resources 
• Remote Working Resources 
• Retiree Recognition  
• The Unlearning Circle 

Mental health encompasses our emotional, psychological, and social well-being and is fundamental to our overall health and quality of life. Below is a list of mental health and well-being resources available to Humber and the University of Guelph-Humber employees. 

• Programs offered by the Centre for Innovation in Health & Wellness (CIHW) 
• TELUS Health Employee Assistance Program 

TELUS Health Employee Assistance Program 

TELUS Health provides all employees with access to online resources on topics such as health & well-being, career & workplace, financial security, and life-events. Full-time employees and Regular Part-Time (RPT) Support Staff also have access to the Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP), which can be accessed through the TELUS Health website. Additional information can be found on the Employee Services & Resources page on the People(s) and Culture website. Part-time/contract employees who need counselling support should contact oe@humber.ca for assistance. 

For more information on the well-being resources for employees, visit Humber’s online Healthy Community Hub. 

If you have any questions, please contact oe@humber.ca.  

Stay well and be the healthiest you, you can be!