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How to Think is an approachable and engaging book about cognitive psychology for the curious lay reader. Minda, a psychology professor at the University of Western Ontario in Canada, has a research background in concepts and categories. John Paul Minda writes: '…if you want to understand why people - and you - behave in a certain way, it helps to understand how they think…' and to enable that '…it helps to understand the basic principles of cognitive psychology, cognitive science and cognitive neuroscience' (p.8). [Extracted from the article]

Focuses on the economic difficulties of Canadian retailer Eaton's. History of its filing for bankruptcy protection; Restructuring efforts, including attempted sale of the company; Scheduled closing; Comments from bankruptcy expert Richard McLaren of the University of Western Ontario and others.

The article reports on a change to the recruitment processes of the Canada Research Chairs (CRC) programme that helped reverse brain drain in the country. In 2003, a group of female professors took the CRC to the Canadian Human Rights Commission after it was found out that woman won only 14 percent of the first research grants. Nine percent of CRC award winners in 2005 identified themselves as minorities. Recipients of the awards include academic colleges and teacher-training colleges.

The article reports that high school students in Canada have overestimated the cost of attending post-secondary education and miscalculated the support they will receive from their parents. In a survey, 34 percent of students say that they do not know how much college or university tuition fees will cost. There are 80 percent of secondary students planning to attend university who are expecting support from their parents. Students may gain knowledge about financial assistance from nine different sources.

Reports on the decision of a Newfoundland court over the lawsuit filed by Wanda Young against her former professor Leslie Bella for labelling her a child molester. Conclusion of the court that Bella breached her duty of care; Origin of the dispute; Plan of Memorial University of Newfoundland to appeal the court's award of damages.

Cites the first-nations and aboriginal counselling degree offered by the Brandon University in Manitoba. Aim of the program to bridge traditional native healing and contemporary psychological counselling; Need for counsellors to understand the particular needs of indigenous people to establish a rapport and facilitate healing; Need to gain the patient's approval prior to using native customs; Program curriculum.

Reports on the partnership between Canada's Nisga'a and researchers of the University of Northern British Colombia over academic studies on aboriginal issues. Access to cultural resources and indigenous wisdom by the researchers; Authority of the first-nation group to have the final decision over academic studies through research protocols; Recognition by both parties of the need for intellectual property protection.

Reports that negotiations have stalled in a dispute over the withdrawal of a job offer at a Canadian university after the academic in question leaked an independent report into the case. History professor David Noble's claim that he had to leak the report into his failed appointment to Simon Fraser University; Noble's allegation of violation of his academic freedom when the university overturned the department's recommendation after an e-mail from the university president was leaked.

Focuses on the increase of students enrolling in an English courses in Montreal, Quebec. Factors influencing the students to study the English language; Lists of universities offering English courses; Impact of the increase numbers of English language enrolment on the French culture preservation.

Focuses on the plan of Manchester University in England to begin discussions with nearby universities that could lead to the creation of the first higher education confederation along the lines of the University of Wisconsin model. University vice chancellor Martin Harris' support of the model of collaboration comprised of networked institutions in a city or region allowing staff and students to move between campuses.

Reports that students from the Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia wrote the electronic book 'Uncompensable Heat Stress: Thermophysiology and Ergonomics,' a peer-reviewed resource material that brings together the latest research on the effects of heat stress on the human body. Motivation for creating the electronic book; Contents of the electronic publication.

Focuses on higher education in Canada, highlighting the interest of the indigenous population in the country in higher education. Information on the growth of native students in higher education institutions; How higher education was viewed by these people; Speculation on the reason for the increase in the numbers of native Canadians by Eber Hampton, president of the Sasatchewan Indian Federated College.

The article reports on the decision of the Canadian government to support international scholarships. The author cites that the reinstatement of budget for scholarship grants until 2011 may not be a positive news for Jim Fox, president of the Canadian Bureau for International Education. It cites that the evaluation of grants will take place while the Treasury Board reviews the merits of the scholarship programs.

The article reports on the decision of the board of governors at McGill University in Montreal, Quebec to ban the practice of hazing after a football player confessed about an initiation incident. The players involved in the alleged initiation were suspended by the university. Alternatives to hazing are being promoted by the university.

The article focuses on the preparation being made by television channel TV Ontario for the announcement of the winner in Best Lecturer Competition, a contest to select a professor who offers his or her students the most engaging lecture in the province of Ontario. Some of the top ten finalists are Jacalyn Duffin of Queen's University and Michael Persinger of Laurentian University. The winner will be revealed on February 17, 2007.

The article reports on the failure of the Canadian government to set its own standards for the higher education system according to a report released by the Canadian Council on Learning (CCL). The report argues that the government lacks tool to coordinate a national strategy for higher education. It also recommends that the government should look at education issues from a pan-Canadian perspective. The lack of clear standards on higher education will prevent the country from achieving its economic and social objectives.

The article reports on the decision of Canadian universities to move their data from the U.S. to a domestic server to avoid issues associated with the U.S. Patriot Act. The move was prompted by growing fears that U.S. surveillance could target academics. Maryland-based firm RefWorks is used by academics from 650 institutions worldwide to store research information. One of the functions of the company is to store a personal database of research that can be shared with colleagues.

The article focuses on Websites that give access to research for free. The site Creative Commons created by Lawrence Lessig, professor of law at Stanford University in California, allows users and creators to share and reuse cultural and scientific works. The online resources where academics have been sharing their research include the Public Library of Science and the Art and Life in Africa Project.

The article focuses on the implications of the patenting of basic research in biotechnology and computing according to David Bollier, co-founder of advocacy group Public Knowledge. Bollier has supported proposals for publicly funded research to be publicly disseminated. It cites the impact of the intellectual property restrictions on researchers. Concerns have been expressed on the decision of the Canadian government to amend its copyright law.

The article reports on the ruling by the Canadian Supreme Court in a case about the arbitrary suspension of student Daniel Freeman-Maloy by president Lorna Marsden of York University in Toronto, Ontario. Freeman-Maloy was suspended because he participated in unauthorized protests launched by the Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights. The Canadian Association of University Teachers applauds the ruling claiming that school authorities should not be immune from being held publicly accountable.

This article reports on the allegations being made by the faculty association of the University of Windsor in Ontario against the university of taking advantage of the last few legal months of mandatory retirement to reduce cost on salaries. Ontario has introduced an age discrimination law that will make it illegal to force university staff to retire at 65. The association charges that the university has gone on a hiring spree, recruiting 422 tenure-track professors over the past eight years.

The article reports on the decision of the Canadian Treasury Board to suspend its Canadian $13.5 million a year funding for a Commonwealth scholarship scheme in June 2007. A review of the decision has been ordered by the office of Prime Minister Stephen Harper. John Kirkland, secretary of the British Commonwealth Scholarship Commission, states the availability of any Commonwealth Scholarships for British students in Canada starting in October 2007.

The article reports on the findings of Educational Policy Institute of Toronto, Ontario that money is being diverted in Canada from targeted programs that could better attract low-income students in an attempt to make university tuition fees more affordable. One of the initiatives to widen access to university is the increases in eligibility for student loans. The authors of the research claims that the move is not related to good public policy but more to do with cheap electoral politics.

The article reports that the Coady International Institute at St. Francis Xavier University in Nova Scotia will be named the Marjorie Desmond Learning Pavilion, after the woman who helped raise Canadian businessman John Chisholm and his siblings. Chisholm, who made a large donation to the university, has decided to have a building named after his nanny instead of himself. The owner of the university praised Chisholm's modesty and generosity.

The article reveals the intention of scientists from the developing world who now live in the West to share their technological expertise with their countries of origin, according to a study conducted by the University of Toronto in July 2006. The study conducted interviews with life-science researchers in academia and entrepreneurs; all were born outside of Canada. The other findings of the survey are presented. The results are explained by the study authors.

Deals with issues concerning the "Canadian Medical Association Journal." Efforts by the medical journal to rebuild its reputation as a high-ranking journal after a series of staff resignations and dismissals; Dismissal of the journal's editor-in-chief and senior deputy editor after a series of disputes about editorial autonomy; Claims that the journal's publisher, the Canadian Medical Association, is not doing enough to resolve the journal's problems.

The article focuses on the reluctance of several Canadian universities to participate in a survey on student satisfaction by the weekly news magazine "Maclean." The reputation of the magazine's student satisfaction ranking is cited. The complain against the magazine's sources from several universities is mentioned.

Reports on the failure of liberal politicians to fulfill their promises of budget increase for universities in Canada. Pledges received by politicians to gain support during election; Exemption of scholarships from federal income tax; Need for the government to focus on the international competition for research to maintain its momentum according to Claire Morris of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada.

Reports on the offer of online university Athabasca University to undergraduate students to begin a course on the first day of any month in Alberta. Consideration of flexibility as a model for distance learning; Scores given by students to Athabasca in the satisfaction surveys; Increase of the enrolment.

Details the results of an arbitration ruling that favors a Canadian media studies professor, Mary Bryson, who refuses to sign a contract that gave the British Columbia University ownership of the curriculum she was asked to develop. Removal of the professor from the assignment resulting to the faculty association's decision to register a grievance against its action; Explanation made by arbitrator James Dorsey that the dispute goes beyond copyright or electronic rights.

Reports on the evaluation of prospective medical students at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario. Opinion of college applicants to the multiple mini medical interview; Methodology in assessing candidates on the basis of personal qualities.

Reports on the rapid growth of graduate student debt in Canada. Average debt of students who borrow to pay for their university; Debt of those who graduated in 2000.

Focuses on the increase in proportion of student recruits from modest-income homes through a 25-fold increase in aid package of Toronto University. Percentage of increase in undergraduate students; Value of the financial aid for the university; Rate of share in tuition-fee increases for redistribution in student aid.

Reports on the ban of access to the website of a Canadian foundation that funds human rights and social justice studies in China. Brief history of the foundation and its endowments for scholars and education; Support of the foundation for doctoral students undertaking research in human rights, social justice, citizenship and natural environment; Grants.

Reports on the Costa-Rican coffee brand sold by Canada's York University as a means of raising funds for environmental projects and fair trade support.

Reports on the findings of a study conducted by Montreal, Canada-based psychologist and professor Robert Hare regarding the psychopathic behavior of some corporate executives. Career background on Hare; His investigation on the motive behind white collar crimes.

Reports that Canada will provide a grant to help parents on low incomes to save early for the rising costs of their children's university education. Average tuition fees of Canadian students; Total savings for the registered education savings plans; Decision of the federal government to give a learning bond to those who lack the disposable income to start an investment portfolio.

Reports on the uproar triggered by Saskatchewan legislator Lorne Calvert's call for the lowering of the legal drinking age to cut the number of college students leaving the province to study elsewhere. Reasons of the government for considering the proposal; Criticism of the linkage of drinking age with student decision-making.

Reports on the results of a survey on the role of government in university funding in Canada. Long-term investments in society and in individual graduates; Ways in which a university degree could help graduates; Responsibility of government to pay for expansion.

Reports on the increase in the number of international students in Canada. Consequence from the restrictions on foreign students applying to the U.S.; Accounts of the foreign-student enrollment according to the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada; Success in the recruitment efforts of colleges in the Middle East, Asia and Latin America.

Reports that a fund set up to ease student debt has been hampered by provincial and territorial governments in Canada. Amount of grants to be provided for low- and middle-income students; Agreements signed between the Canadian Millennium Scholarship Foundation and provinces and territories concerning the grants.

Examines the bankruptcy law with regard to student loans in Canada. Assessment of the bankruptcy law; Reference to cases of impoverished students described to the senate committee; Changes made to the law.

Reports on the subsidy and provision of rent-free campus-based child care at universities in Canada. Services offered by certain universities; Implications of the tuition fee increase on child care budget; Average cost of day care.

Cites the strategy of Canada to lure postgraduates away from the U.S. Plan of the Canadian universities to offer guaranteed funding to remain competitive with U.S. schools; Focus of the effort on doctoral students; Concern of losing potential doctoral recruits to universities in the U.S. due to the offer of stipends and tuition waivers; Advocation to apply the same measures to masteral and bachelor-degree students.

Reports on the thesis of master students Melissa McGonnell in Canada. Observation of students in the act of plagiarism; Result of the growing concern on Internet plagiarism;

Discusses the controversy surrounding the alleged breach of security in the university-based research reactor of McMaster University in Ontario in 2003. Background on a "Washington Times" report claiming that an al-Qaida cell seeking materials for a dirty bomb was linked to the university's nuclear research program; Investigation conducted by the university following the release of the newspaper report.

Reports on the reduced credit rating of the University of Toronto in Ontario due to the weakened stock values of endowment funds and university pensions in Canada. Reasons for the downgraded rating by Standard & Poor's Corp. for the university; Financial problems by the Universite de Montreal due to its investment in a hedge fund being investigated by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Reports on the abortive hiring of David Noble to chair the Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, British Columbia. University's violation of the academic freedom of Noble.

Reports on the lawsuit filed by former admissions director Peggy Ann Sheppard against McGill University for wrongful dismissal in Montreal, Quebec. Pressure suffered by Sheppard from administrators, alumni, high school teachers and coaches to admit below-par students; Opposition to the administration's alleged lapses of policy; Reason for the dismissal of the first hearing.

Reports on the decision of Trinidad and Tobago to launch its own university because its government thinks the islands do not receive enough higher education support from the University of West Indies (AWI). Assurance given by the government that a local university will not lead to financial cuts for UWI; Aim of the government to provide more options in training than that available at private and public institutions.