Memorial’s School of Graduate Studies (SGS) has been honoured by the Canadian Association for Graduate Studies (CAGS) and the Educational Testing Service (ETS) for its outstanding contribution in graduation admissions practices.

The SGS was singled out for the inaugural award CAGS/ETS Award for Excellence and Innovation in Graduate Admission for its submission “Lean, Green and Mean: Memorial University’s Cost-Effective and Environmentally Responsible Approach to Graduate Student Recruitment.”

Dr. Noreen Golfman, dean of the School of Graduate Studies, said that a collaborative and focused approach to recruiting graduate students was the driving force behind the recognition.

By keeping the browsing, potential student applicant in mind, the school was able to determine what it takes to draw a roaming candidate into the SGS microsite – found at www.mun.ca/become/graduate/ – and what it takes to keep them there.

“One can adjust the functions for easy access,” said Dr. Golfman. “It’s taking it to the next level of information and ease of traffic on the site that makes all the difference. Happily, we have the results to show for that difference.”

The ETS conducts rigorous assessments and policy research to advance quality and equity in learning worldwide. The organization is providing the funding for the award.

The School of Graduate Studies will be publicly recognized by their peers at the annual CAGS national conference in Toronto in November. There, they will be presented with a $2,500 award and certificate. Members of the SGS are “thrilled” with the honour – especially upon discovering it has been bestowed on the school by unanimous decision of the selection committee.

“We are particularly proud of this first-time award because it highlights the creativity of our team efforts,” said Dr. Golfman. “It is one thing to improve an admissions system for the 21st century; it is another to make those improvements elegant and fun.”

Founded in 1962 to promote graduate education and university research, the Canadian Association of Graduate Studies brings together 57 Canadian universities who are actively engaged in promoting and overseeing graduate instruction in this country.