The Western Conference on Science Education

Educational Guided Networks Helping Students Transition from Undergraduate to Graduate Programs

PAB 150

The purpose of the Educational Guided Network (EGN) is to facilitate an optimal environment for beginning graduate students to continue their education. One of the milestone events in establishing the EGN is a topical symposium, which allows students and faculty to form the connections that facilitate the student’s career path. Since 2011, the scientific focus of EGN has been neuroimmunology. During the two years the EGN has been in existence, three universities chose to participate in this innovation (McGill University, Concordia University and Universite of Sherbrooke). EGN involved 10 faculty members and about 100 students over the two years. In 2011, 4 of the EGN students formed a career path with EGN participating faculty. In 2012-2013 one EGN student from Cocncordia University choose to pursue PhD level studies with the EGN member form the University of Sherbrooke. EGN undertook to provide unique cell culture training for this student at McGill University. The EGN is planning to expand the venue of the annual meeting by including sessions with government workers and industrial partners. The EGN intends to organize the mini-symposia on diverse scientific topics to involve students and faculty with various scientific interest and expertise. It is conceived to broaden the student’s perspective of the future employment and education possibilities. EGN plans to involve industrial partners in organization of stipends and scholarships. The EGN is looking to expand to encompass universities and industrial partners outside of Quebec to better facilitate integration of postgraduate students into academic and industrial establishments across Canada