CS-Can|Info-Can Bulletin
May, 2020
Contents
- Introduction
- CS-Can|Info-Can Communications Update
- CS-Can|Info-Can Task Force on On-Line and Remote Teaching
- CS-Can|Info-Can Membership Update
- Awards
- CS-Can|Info-Can Annual Meeting
- CS-Can|Info-Can Board of Director Elections
- Proposed Changes in Quebec to Include Software Engineering and Information Technology to Areas of Engineering Practice
1. Introduction
CS-Can|Info-Can continues to work with the computer science community across Canada to represent all aspects of computer science and the interests of the discipline. Our mission is to:
- Promote excellence in research, innovation and education across all aspects of computer science.
- Foster the next generation of computer science researchers and professionals for the Canadian academia and ICT ecosystems.
- Actively promote an inclusive environment that supports diversity and, in particular, encourage participation by underrepresented groups.
- Develop two-way academia-industry interactions that encourages innovation and the ethical application of computer technology.
- Inform public policy debates at all levels on issues involving ICT through impactful and timely strategic positioning.
This bulletin provides updates and highlights of ongoing and upcoming initiatives, with links to additional information on the website.
2. CS-Can|Info-Can Communications Update
CS-Can|Info-Can will launch a newly designed website, with updated News, Events and Departmental Profile features, in late May.
In the meantime, please check out and follow CS-Can|Info-Can’s accounts on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
3. CS-Can|Info-Can Task Force on On-Line and Remote Teaching
CS-Can|Info-Can has formed a Task Force on On-Line and Remote Teaching to work with departments heads and faculty to provide resources for the Canadian computer science community as on-line courses for upcoming academic terms are being developed.
We have set up a CS-Can|Info-Can server on Discord to:
- Provide a platform to share information
- Develop community-based resources
- Provide an open forum for discussion of best practices
The input of members working to develop on-line courses is crucial the success of this project.
Invitations to join the Discord server have been sent to all department heads and can be shared to faculty members. Please check with you department head or email adele_newton@cscan-infocan.ca for invitation information.
4. CS-Can|Info-Can Membership Update
CS-Can|Info-Can is expanding its membership reach to include:
- university or college faculty members in Canada active in computer science research and education;
- undergraduate and graduate students with an interest in computer science;
- members of government laboratories and departments;
- computer science professionals, and
- industry partners.
All faculty members, undergraduate and graduate students in member departments are automatically included as CS-Can|Info-Can members.
In order to vote in the upcoming CS-Can|Info-Can Board of Directors election and to take advantage of membership benefits, described here, please complete your departmental or individual profile on the Forum.
5. Awards
CS-Can|Info-Can is pleased to announce the 2019 award winners. Full information about each award winner can be found here and all winners will be profiled on the CS-Can|Info-Can website over the next few months.
Lifetime Achievement Awards
James R. Cordy, Queen’s University
W. Morven Gentleman (awarded posthumously)
J. Wesley Graham, University of Waterloo (awarded posthumously)
Laurie Hendren, McGill University (awarded posthumously)
Hugh Williams, University of Manitoba
Outstanding Young Researchers
Audrey Girouard, Carleton University
Florian Kerschbaum, University of Waterloo
Foutse Khomh, Polytechnique Montréal
Emad Shihab, Concordia University
Distinguished Dissertation
Leqi Zhu, University of Toronto
Distinguished Service
Marc Frappier, Université de Sherbrooke
6. CS-Can|Info-Can Annual Meeting
In response to the COVID-19 situation, CS-Can|Info-Can has postponed the 2020 spring meeting to a planned date of October 1-3, 2020 at Queen’s University, to take place in conjunction with the student-run CSearch conference.
We will continue to work with department heads to monitor the status of on-campus gatherings and will provide updates as the situation develops.
7. CS-Can|Info-Can Board of Director Elections
CS-Can|Info-Can is run by a Board of Directors whose members serve staggered three year terms, with some elected directly by membership and others by units. In 2020, we will seek to fill:
- Four Board positions, referred to as Individual positions, to be elected by individual members of the organization. The final ballot should ideally contain at least five such nominees.
- One Board position to represent student members and to be elected by student members. The final ballot should ideally contain at least two such nominees.
The Nominating Committee is seeking nominations for these Board positions.
The other three individual Board positions are to be filled by researchers or academics in Computer Science Departments or in Departments (such as Computer Engineering departments) or Schools where Computing is a major focus.
The Board member to represent students is to be filled by a graduate student in a Canadian Computer Science Department or in Departments (such as Computer Engineering departments) or Schools or Faculties where Computing is a major focus.
In all cases, we are seeking individuals with time, energy, and initiative to help shape the organization, reflecting the values and priorities of the organization’s members and stakeholders.
All individuals should be great team players. This will be a working board, with all members contributing substantially to the organization’s activities.
Both self-nominations and nominations by others are welcome for the Board. We strongly encourage nominations of people who can ensure a breadth of perspective and experience on the board.
Full information about the nomination process and deadlines, as well as a link to the nomination form is available here.
8. Proposed Changes in Quebec to Include Software Engineering and Information Technology to Areas of Engineering Practice
Bill n° 29 (PL-29), which proposed to amend the Engineers Act, was introduced by the Minister of Justice in the province of Quebec in June, 2019. The contents of Bill 29 were a major concern for many IT stakeholders in Quebec. As proposed, the PL-29 added informatics and information technology (IT) to the fields of engineering practice. The bill contained articles which defined software development activities as reserved for engineers.
CS-Can|Info-Can was a key initiator and partner in the Coalition for the Future of Informatics (Coalition pour l’avenir de l’informatique), which was formed in August to represent the IT industry in Quebec and to invite the Government of Quebec to consider its recommendations. Full information about the status of PL-29 is available here.