June 27, 1997
Agreement with Thailand signed by U of S
Posted June 27, 1997
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
97-06-02-CO
U of S signs agreement with Thailand
Saskatoon SK, June 24, 1997 -- President George Ivany and
P. Martin Komolmas, president of Assumption University,
Bangkok signed an agreement today to develop a unique
and innovative program that will contribute to the
reputation of both universities in the international
business education arena while strengthening ties between
Saskatchewan and Thailand.
The proposed Masters in International Marketing
Administration (MIMA) program is targeted toward middle
and upper level managers of Thailand companies who are
graduates of the marketing program at the Assumption
University School of Business. Students of the program will
focus on the development of skills and knowledge needed
to succeed in Thailand's increasingly competitive
international market.
A number of University of Saskatchewan commerce
professors will take turns traveling to Bangkok to give
course instruction over a period of eight months. Then,
students in the MIMA program will spend eight weeks in
Saskatchewan to take further classes and interact with
western Canadian businesses.
This opportunity evolved in response to a growing trend in
the demand for post-graduate degree education in Pacific
Rim countries and the desire for institutional partnerships
with respective universities.
The demand for executive level education in these
countries has never been stronger, and will continue to
grow for some time, said U of S professor Brooke Dobni,
marketing professor. A number of North American
universities have already entered into educational and
faculty exchange agreements or are in the process of
negotiating them.
This opportunity to supply educational programs to other
countries is also consistent with the continual evolution of
a global business environment and educational
partnerships, said Jack Vicq, director of the Centre for
International Business Studies.
It is anticipated the stronger ties between Saskatchewan
and Thailand will have positive ramifications for the
business community, and particularly the export sector.
One of our objectives is to create a vibrant and sustainable
marketing environment between the two countries that is
a direct result of this program, said Professor Dobni.
The MIMA pilot program will likely be officially launched
within the next eight months. The tuition cost for the
program will be market based, but officials expect to
charge between $10,000 and $14,000.
For more information, please contact:
Professor Brooke Dobni
College of Commerce
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-8442
or
Professor Jack Vicq
Associate Dean
College of Commerce
University of Saskatchewan
(306) 966-4798
Prime time television affecting health of Canadians
Posted June 27, 1997
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
97-06-03-PN
Prime time television is affecting
health of Canadians
Saskatoon SK, June 24, 1997 -- A thesis study completed by
a U of S doctoral candidate indicates the messages
regarding food and body image attitudes broadcast during
prime time television programming are not consistent with
the guidelines provided in Canada's Food Guide to Healthy
Eating.
What the Food Guide is stating isn't what is being seen on
television, said Dr. Laurie Wadsworth, who convocated this
spring. There is little reinforcement of the healthy
attitudes toward food and body image advocated by health
professionals.
Dr. Wadsworth analyzed the programming and commercials
in 10 of Neilsen's top 20 rated shows in 1995. One episode
each of ER, Chicago Hope, Friends, The Single Guy, Caroline
in the City, Seinfeld, Murphy Brown, Home Improvement,
Hudson Street, and Grace Under Fire were analyzed for food
portrayal and body image attitude portrayal.
The study determined that food and/or body image attitude
portrayals averaged 2.28 per minute and the majority of
food portrayals included higher fat/higher calorie, lower
nutrient food choices.
The nature of television is not conducive to portraying
healthy meals, said Dr. Wadsworth. Sitting down at a table
and eating a well rounded meal does not move a plot along.
Instead, television characters are often seen eating low
nutrient dense snacks or drinking beverages which are
generally alcoholic or caffeine rich.
To make matters worse, advertising slots during prime
time television are generally filled with commercials for
snack foods and beverages.
In direct conflict with the less healthy eating patterns
modeled during prime time television, 83% of characters
involved in food related incidents and body image attitude
incidents were rated to be within a healthy weight range.
This ratio is far from being reflective of Canadian society
where only 50% to 75% are considered within a healthy
weight range.
Other studies indicate heavy television viewers may tend
to abdicate responsibility for their own health. Television
viewers see beautiful, slim people portraying unbalanced
and less healthy lifestyles without showing weight gain or
developing lifestyle related health problems, she said.
And if there is a health crisis portrayed on TV, it is quickly
dealt with using technologically advanced methods. This
combination could encourage viewers to deny
responsibility for their own health status.
Aside from the disturbing trend in food portrayals, the
study found that 100% of the body image attitude
portrayals were directed toward those who were above a
healthy weight range. All were negative and accompanied
by a laugh track. The fact that this negative attitude
toward those who don't fit an idealized body image is so
prevalent on prime time television reflects the acceptance
our society has for such prejudiced behaviours, said
Wadsworth.
Dr. Wadsworth concludes by saying this study indicates a
need for health professionals and consumers to develop
media literacy skills.
Television is a part of our lives and it's not going to go
away. By understanding it more, we should be able to
manage its affect on our lives.
A review article, Television and Nutritional Health: The
medium and the message is currently in press with the
Canadian Journal of Educational Communications.
Dr. Wadsworth is also an invited conference speaker at the
Annual Meeting of the Society for Nutrition Education to be
held July 22 - 26, 1997 in Montreal where she will present
parts of this study in a presentation titled Sociocultural
aspects of food and nutrition as found in nutrition
messages on television.
For more information, please contact:
Dr. Laurie Wadsworth
(306) 933-6247
Centre for the Study of Co-operatives recognized by international group
Posted June 27, 1997
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
97-06-04-OTHER
University Co-op Centre recognized
by international group
Saskatoon SK, June 25, 1997 -- The leadership of the University of
Saskatchewan Centre for the Study of Co-operatives was recognized by
the Association of Co-operative Educators (ACE) at their 1997 Institute in
Toronto recently.
The Centre's leadership received the Reg Cressman Award recognizing
commitment to staff development, which is presented to the ACE member
who demonstrates outstanding commitment to staff development. The
1997 Reg Cressman Award was given to two organizational members,
both universities, who have broken new ground in developing their staff.
The two recipients are the University of Saskatchewan Centre for the
Study of Co-operatives and the University of Missouri-Columbia.
Saskatchewan's Centre for the Study of Co-operatives has been a
leader in developing and using new education, research, and extension
techniques, particularly in working with community development and new
generation co-operatives. The Centre uses not only a well recognized,
highly respected faculty, but also academic staff, research associates,
office staff, and technical support staff, providing them with
opportunities for professional growth as well as leadership in
co-operative education and development activities.
An example of this work was evident in the presentation at the 1997 ACE
institute by Brenda Stefanson, a research associate with the Centre, on
new techniques in delivering co-operative education. Other work cited by
ACE in presenting the award is the support and assistance given by the
Centre to the Canadian Association for Co-operative Studies.
William Nelson, executive administrator of ACE and president of The Co-
operative Foundation based in St. Paul, Minnesota, said, Through the
leadership of the Centre's director, Murray Fulton, the human resources
of the University of Saskatchewan Centre for the Study of Co-operatives,
have grown ?personally and professionally?to the benefit of the entire
co-operative community.
It has been an example to the rest of us, as well as a significant,
tangible addition to the capacity of the university, the community,
industry, and our profession.
ACE is an international professional organization established to help
educators develop their professional capabilities and increase the
effectiveness of co-operative education.
For more information, please contact:
Brenda Stefanson
Research Associate
(306) 966-8502
