Gradzette THE UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA’S GRADUATE STUDENT MAGAZINE JANUARY 2013
Gradzette The UNIVERSITY OF MANITOBA’S GRADUATE STUDENT MAGAZINE Gradzette c/o The Manitoban Newspaper Publications Corporation 105 University Centre University of Manitoba Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N2 General inquiries and advertising Phone: (204) 474.6535 Fax: (204) 474.7651 Email: publisher@Gradzette.com
Editor: Sheldon Birnie Copy Editor: Ryan Harby Designer: Leif Larsen Contributors: Fosyer Lyle, David Krause, Chinenye Alozie , Beibei Lu Cover: Beibei Lu
The Gradzette is the official student magazine of the University of Manitoba’s graduate student community and is published on the first Monday of each month byThe Manitoban Newspaper Publications Corporation. The Gradzette is a democratic student organization, open to participation from all students. It exists to serve its readers as students and citizens. The magazine’s primary mandate is to report fairly and objectively on issues and events of importance and interest to the graduate students of the University of Manitoba, to provide an open forum for the free expression and exchange of opinions and ideas and to stimulate meaningful debate on issues that affect or would otherwise be of interest to the student body and/or society in general. The Gradzette serves as a training ground for students interested in any aspect of journalism. Students and other interested parties are invited to contribute. Please contact the Editor for submission guidelines. The Gradzette reserves the right to edit all submissions and will not publish any material deemed by its editorial board to be discriminatory, racist, sexist, homophobic or libelous. Opinions expressed in letters and articles are solely those of the authors. The Gradzette is a member of the Canadian University Press, a national student press cooperative with members from St. John’s to Victoria. All contents are ©2013 and may not be reprinted without the express written permission of the Manitoban Newspaper Publications Corporation. Yearly subscriptions to the Gradzette are available, please contact publisher@Gradzette.com for more information.
Career Services to hold annual Career Week Open to students and alumni By Sheldon Birnie
U
niversity of Manitoba Career Services is preparing to host its annual
Career Fair on Wednesday, Jan. 16. A part of the annual Career Week, the Career Fair will play host to over 80 registered employers, who are
recruiting full-time, part-time, summer and volunteer positions, and is open to all U of M students and alumni. The Career Fair begins at 9:30 A.M. and runs to 2:30 "
P. M .
on
the
second
floor
of
Un i v e r s i t y
C e n t r e .
Career Week kicks off Jan. 9 with coffee and snacks provided by Career
Services. Information sessions and workshops on career and employment planning will be held through the week, and are free for students and alumni. One highlight that students should keep their eyes on is a $1,000 tuition draw, sponsored "
by
the
Alumni
A s s o c i a t i o n .
“There’s going to be 89 employers there eager to be chatting about
possibilities at organization,” Lindsey Hiebert of Career Services told the Photo provided by U of M Career Services
Gradzette. “[These employers] will be looking to raise their profile with students on campus, with some looking specifically looking for graduate students.”
new marketing initiatives this year so we’re hoping to draw more students.”
"
"“ It ’s
Last year’s Career Fair drew 93 registered employers, and saw over 4,000
going
to
be
a
busy
and
fun
filled
w e e k . ”
students take part. If you’re in the job market, or are beginning to think about
"
your long-term or short-term career goals, make some time to take in the
planning to enter it soon. Also be sure to check umanitoba.ca/student/careerservices for
Career
more information on Career Week events.
"
Fa i r.
Make sure to mark January 9 in your calendar if you’re in the job market, or are
“This year we’ve got 89, which is our full capacity,” explained Lindsey. “As
for student numbers, I expect at least 4,000, probably more. We’ve got some
Gradzette
2
Political studies group to host conference Focus on Canada’s role in NATO By David Krause
O role "
ur world’s political landscape is changing at a rapid pace. Our hyper-
"
connected existence makes the globe feel smaller and the conflicts
conducting research. Some of the key speakers include: Dr. Kim Richard
that occur more intimate. As Canadians, it is important to know our
No s s a l ,
on
the
world
Salt has arranged for speakers to present talks on topics in which they are
s t a g e .
"
has organized a conference taking place Jan. 30 (1 P.M. – 5 P.M.), Jan. 31 (10 A.M. – 5 P.M.), and Feb. 1 (9:30 A.M. – 2 P.M.) at the Great Hall (University C o l l e g e ) a t t h e Un i v e r s i t y o f Ma n i t o b a Fo r t G a r r y c a m p u s .
"
Dan
M i d d l e m i s s .
The speakers’ topics vary, but all fall under the conferences scope of
N AT O ’s r o l e i n t h e w o r l d a f t e r t h e r e c e n t A f g h a n i s t a n w a r. "
Nossal will be delivering a presentation entitled “After Afghanistan,
Where?” that explores the sort of operations the Canadian military may face in
Canada has been involved in every major
future. Next, Haglund will explore potential Canadian discontent with NATO
military operation NATO has engaged in —
during his presentation “One Hand Clapping: Canada’s NATO Angst in the
Kosovo in 1999, Afghanistan in 2001 and Libya
Wake of Afghanistan?” Another speaker, Dr. Middlemiss, will give a
in 2011
presentation entitled “The NATO factor in Canadian Defense Decisionmaking:
"
D r.
potentially costly task’ - Alexander Salt
u s .
To foster discussion and discourse SAMPA’s president, Alexander Salt,
and
European states such as Germany rejected such a
war and its impact on the world stage. Since Canada is a member of NATO the affect
Ha g l u n d ,
Kandahar region of Afghanistan while other Western
students and the public on our role – specifically NATO’s after the Afghanistan
decisions
David
‘Canada undertook a major combat role in the
SAMPA (University of Manitoba Political Studies group) aims to educate
o r g a n i z a t i o n’s
D r.
The purpose, according to Salt, is to “create a debate and discourse in
"
Afghanistan
and
A f t e r. ”
To some NATO seems more of a European organization, though Canada
academia, the student population, and the general public as whole over a very
is a charter member. Canada has been involved in every major military
important issue. Foreign and defense policy is often pushed to the side when
operation NATO has engaged in — Kosovo in 1999, Afghanistan in 2001 and
discussing political matters in Canada, and the conference organizers would like
Libya in 2011; in all conflicts our involvement has been significant compared to
to
other
alter
this
t r e n d . ”
m e m b e r s .
Gradzette
3
"
Salt explains, “Canada undertook a major combat role in the Kandahar
use military power when necessary. However, ultimately I feel it’s still a bit early
region of Afghanistan while other Western European states such as Germany
to tell and I’m hoping that this conference will help shed light on this situation.”
rejected "
such
a
potentially
costly
t a s k . ”
“As to how Afghanistan has impacted its relation with NATO, well it
would seem that Canada has made a strong case to the NATO community that
"
If you wish to attend, simply show up at the displayed times and take a
seat. No registration is required. After a talk, a Q&A session will occur where audience members are encouraged to ask questions and engage in conversation.
it is willing to remain an active player on the international level and prepared to
From left to right: Kim Richard Nossal, Dan Middlemiss, Alexander Salt. Photos provided by conference Gradzette
4
U of M daycare inaccessible to students Long wait lists and high costs create roadblocks for grad students By Foster Lyle
T
he University of Manitoba PlayCare
capacity, maintenance of facility, purchasing of
mission statement to “provide the highest quality
Centre has been offering daycare
toys, and professional development of staff.”
child care services to children of students, staff
services to students and staff who need
"
and
The program, which is technically open to
f a c u l t y. ”
them for years. The program is designed so that
all staff and students, offers child care services
parents who work for the University are able to
from 7:45 A.M. until 6:00 P.M., Monday to Friday.
work without having to deal with the difficult job
Children are divided into three separate rooms
of juggling a child at a daycare far away from
within the one-story day care facility based on
every year for my apartment’
home and school, and for students to be able to go
their age, and are provided a safe and enjoyable
- Travis Palmer
class worry free about their child’s well-being.
environment in which to learn and play. In
The waiting list stretches well over a year "
This, at its core, sounds like a wonderful
program. Unfortunately, the program is not living up "
to
its
m a n d a t e .
“Concerns about access to child care for
students and staff were raised in the October 2012,” said Brandy Usick, director of student advocacy and accessibility. “PlayCare faces challenges that are common to most licensed daycares in the province, [such as] limited funding which can hamper goals to increase
addition to the one-story building, the child care program has exclusive all-day access to an outdoor playground located next to their building in the north east most corner of the Fort Gary campus. "
Formed in 2005, Campus Day Care Centre
Inc. is a publicly funded group organized with the purpose of discussing the strategic goals of the campus daycare program. The agenda included many items, two notable ones being the development of a vision statement and mission statement. Later they released their vision “for publicly-funded child care that is accessible and affordable and that can accommodate families’ diverse child care needs,” as well as say in their
‘I know child care is expensive, but that’s almost as much as I pay in rent
"
Many who have tried to enroll their child in
the University of Manitoba’s Child Care program realize this mission and vision has not been fulfilled. Back in 2007 this sounded like a quality program that was going to give parents the option of going to school while raising a child. As of now this is an expensive and inaccessible program. "
“I believe all centres wish they could do
more to help parents in need,” said Usick. “It is very difficult to have to tell a parent that a spot is not "
a v a i l a b l e ” The issue that arises with campus child care
is that it is not, as stated, open to everyone. The waiting list stretches well over a year, meaning a
Gradzette
5
Photo by Beibei lu
parent looking to go to university must anticipate
m a x i m u m . ”
"
their need for child care at least 12 months in
"
Though this is true, “low” may be a
an individual’s total household income, something
advance. Sometimes opportunities, like going
subjective term for students. “$4,000.00 a year is
that is much higher for graduate students who are
back to school, happen with only a moment’s
outrageous,” argued graduating science student
bringing in grant money, and are much more likely
notice. For many, forcing parents to realize their
Travis Palmer when asked about the price of child
to have a partner earning higher income.
need for child care a year in advance is as good as
care on campus. “I know child care is expensive,
"
n o t h a v i n g i t a t a l l .
but that’s almost as much as I pay in rent every
who use these services full-time. To many day care
"
year
In addition to the lengthy wait times child
for
my
a p a r t m e n t . ”
The dollar value of this subsidy depends on
Child care is also biased towards students
centres a full-time child care is more desirable than part time because it brings in higher revenue
care can be expensive. Child care on campus costs
"
$19 per day, or almost $400 per month. A full-
reduced and that students in the faculty of
per child. This directly affects graduate students
time student would pay nearly $4,000 a year for
education and social work take shifts several days
because it is not them who use the full-time
full-time child care over the fall and winter terms,
a week to drive down costs, and increase hands-on
services. Generally, graduate students have lower
which is on the high end of average for Manitoba’s
e x p e r i e n c e .
course loads per day and more time away from
child care rates (ranging from around $17 to $20
"
work and school where they can care for their
d a y ) .
Palmer continued to suggest that fees be
The issue with this falls primaril y on
graduate students. A portion of this $19 fee can be
child. Because of this many graduate students do
“PlayCare does keep its fees lower than the
subsidized by the provincial or federal
not get considered because of their limited, part-
maximum allowed under the province,” explained
government. The reason for this is many parents
time need.
Usick. “PlayCare receives modest donations from
must put their children in child care to continue
UMSU and GSA to help keep the fees lower than
their careers, or go to school to train for a career.
per "
Gradzette
6
RESEARCHER PROFILE
Tashniba Kaiser By Chinenye Alozie
T
ashniba Kaiser is a master’s student and graduate research assistant at the University of Manitoba’s department
of electrical and computer engineering. Kaiser, a native of Dhaka, Bangladesh, completed her bachelor’s degree in engineering at the Military Institute of Science and Technology in Bangladesh. "
network or protected data and to quickly take
"
corrective measure to thwart and deny access
(ANN) to localize the wireless device. This
when required.”
algorithm is trained to learn the environmental
"
impairments of an organization’s premises and
recent years. A lot of network owners and users
investigate the position of a wireless transmitter
don’t see the depth of danger ahead with
for implementing the required security policy.
increasing reliance on computer networks as a
"
means for transferring personal information and
computers organized like our brain,” Kaiser
data.
explained. “By providing the ANN with various
Kaiser’s major problem is
Kaiser worked at Airtel Bangladesh Ltd, a
leading mobile phone company for four years
Wireless theft has become a big issue in
Kaiser is using artificial neural network
interference from other deterministic
“Artificial neural networks are a bunch of
contaminated samples of the signal strengths for each known location in the protected area, the ANN will learn to associate the impaired samples
where she gathered experience in wireless
narrowband wireless technologies,
networks. She went on to work in the data
such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee,
locate a wireless device.”
network and security field department of IBM
cordless phones and microwave
"
Bangladesh for eight months as a network
ovens.
engineer. After much training, she now works with Dr. Ken Ferens at the U of M, studying
"
“Wireless Device Localization Using Artificial
and locate strange wireless devices or signals
Neural Network.”
within the premises of a given organization.
"
Security protocols are set up to prompt the
“Everyone is entitled to their privacy,”
Kaiser told the Gradzette. "
“Organizations need to know when an
intruder is attempting to gain access to their
Kaiser’s study proposes a method to track
identification and authentication of guest users or devices trying to gain access to a protected network and to deny access when necessary.
to the originating position. This is how we can
Training an artificial neural network
requires a neural network toolbox in Matlab. Three wireless receivers were placed in the protected premise (wireless infrastructure) to locate the position of the wireless client. Triplet sets of signals were received from these three receivers. "
Received signal strength indicator (RSSI) is
a measurement of the power present in a received
Gradzette
7
or an incoming signal. The RSSI circuit is designed
obstacles in the environment. Despite these
to pick RF signals and generate an output
predicaments Kaiser’s work has seen the daylight
equivalent to the signal strength. The ability of the
to an acceptable extent.
receiver to pick the weakest of signals is referred
"
to as receiver sensitivity.
her supervisor who has always showered her with
"
encouragement and moral support. “I am highly
ANN was used to learn the characteristic
features of the signal strength captured from
Her gratitude and appreciation goes out to
Want your lab to be profiled next? Talk to the editor at editor@gradzette.com.
indebted to him,” Kaiser told the Gradzette.
targeted device via RSSI. The training data set is fed initially to the ANN with a specific learning rate and the errors are adjusted, Kaiser explained. With this, it automatically detects a wirelessdevice within the proximity of its premises and based on certain calculations, it will either grant or deny access to the protected wireless network. "
According to Kaiser, “we rely on sensing
RSSI readings to identify the actual signal that has been received from the receivers. Unfortunately, these measurements are often contaminated with channel errors, which include time varying impairments and environmental impairments.” "
Kaiser’s major problem is interference. RSSI
suffers from interference from other deterministic narrowband wireless technologies, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee, cordless phones, microwave ovens. Other problems encountered include fading, shadowing, multipath, non-line-of-sight
Photo by author
propagations, reflections, and attenuation from
Gradzette
8