November 19, 2024

The Government of Canada has published a new resource: “Guidance on the Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Development and Review of Research Proposals.” The guide is designed for Canadian postsecondary institutions and researchers and focuses specifically on the use of generative AI. The guide outlines four important properties that researchers should be aware of regarding generative AI, and identifies the applicable federal funding policies relevant to the use of generative AI. It further reminds applicants that they are ultimately responsible for the final contents of their grant applications and for identifying if and how generative AI has been used. The resource concludes by noting that reviewers are strictly prohibited from using publicly available generative AI tools to evaluate grant applications.

A new position paper written by Dr Rod Lastra (University of Manitoba) for the Canadian Association for University Continuing Education calls for Canada to develop and implement a robust lifelong learning strategy. “The Hard Problem of Lifelong Learning” highlights the factors that are driving change in Canada’s labour market; emphasizes the importance of lifelong learning to human beings; and discusses the key issues, challenges, and opportunities of lifelong learning in Canada. Lastra concludes by calling for a national continuing education strategy that would make lifelong learning accessible and responsive, remove systemic barriers, and support diverse learning paths. “By tackling the hard problem of lifelong learning, Canada can establish a more adaptable, skilled, and inclusive workforce, paving the way for a vibrant future for all Canadians,” concludes Lastra.

Collège supérieur de Montréal (CSM) has reportedly suspended its admissions until 2026 due to a sudden increase in the number of international students keen to study at the institution. Journal de Montréal and Journal de Québec report that the surge in students stems from both provincial policy—private vocational training establishments such as CSM do not have the same maximum admission thresholds imposed on them as cégeps and universities—and the institution’s eligibility for the post-graduate work permit program. CSM directeur generale Noureddine Hajibi also stated that students from other private institutions in the province have sought to register at CSM after their original institutions or programs became ineligible for the post-graduation work permit program.

The University of Winnipeg has frozen hiring in response to declining international student enrolment stemming from federal policy changes. According to Winnipeg Free Press, UWinnipeg President Todd Mondor told the UWinnipeg Senate that new enrolment from non-Canadian students had dropped by 50% for the Fall term; meeting minutes also projected an up-to-$5M decrease in tuition revenue for this fiscal year. UWinnipeg has responded by halting hiring and reducing the non-salary account lines for all departments. University of Winnipeg Faculty Association President Peter Miller said that the hiring freeze will impact faculty who relied on teaching and research assistants to help with teaching and grading.

The University of Waterloo and York University have each opened new spaces on their campuses. UWaterloo has officially opened its Innovation Arena. In addition to housing the Velocity startup incubator, this space will house business supports for founders, product development labs, manufacturing equipment, and collaboration spaces. YorkU has unveiled a new art space: the Joan and Martin Goldfarb Gallery. The building is shaped like a butterfly, with a central reception area that connects the four “wings” of the building: Three exhibition spaces and a performance pavilion. The project was funded by a $6M gift from Joan and Martin Goldfarb.

Douglas College’s Bachelor of Science in Health Information Management (BScHIM) has received accreditation from the Canadian College of Health Information Management (CCHIM). With this accreditation, BScHIM graduates are eligible to write the CCHIM National Certification Exam to attain a Certified Health Information Management professional designation. The program—which Douglas says is the first of its kind in Canada—enables students to tailor their education to meet Canada’s current and evolving healthcare needs. “Our curriculum is responsive to student goals as well as the needs of our industry partners,” said Douglas BScHIM program coordinator Dr Patricia Visosky.

University of Toronto and the United Steelworkers (USW) union have partnered to launch the USW/Leo Gerard Chair in Collective Bargaining and Worker Representation. The Chair will further U of T’s study and instruction on labour relations and enhance stakeholder understanding of work and employment issues. It will be named in honour of the contributions of USW and former USW International President Leo W Gerard. “Honoring Leo Gerard through this Chair in collective bargaining and worker representation is not only a fitting tribute to a great labour leader, but also a testament to the University of Toronto’s commitment to the field of labour relations,” said U of T Centre for Industrial Relations and Human Resources Director Rafael Gomez.

The Traditional Longhouse Women—a group of Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk) women—held a tree planting ceremony on McGill University’s lower field on Sunday as a symbolic gesture for peace. The group planted a tree on the former site of the pro-Palestinian encampment, encircled the tree in white and purple stones, and installed a handmade wood plaque. CTV News reports that McGill did not permit the group to plant the tree on campus, but security did not intervene in the tree planting. “When we indicated that this plan would not be approved, we received a reply stating ‘We reiterate that we will be planting a tree of peace on Nov 17,’ and that ‘We will decide what to do on our homelands,’” McGill stated in an email.

Lakeland College has announced that it is developing a new Vegetation Management Accreditation program for goat and sheep producers, which is expected to launch in 2025. The program will serve as a resource for producers who are interested in improving land stewardship and better understanding grazing animal management. It will include modules on topics such as grazing, stockmanship and animal welfare, and building business plans. The program was created through a partnership between Lakeland, the Alberta Lamb Producers, and the Alberta Goat Association; the curriculum was developed by students from Olds College, the University of Saskatchewan, and Thompson Rivers University, and was tested by a Lakeland alumna and current University of Alberta student.

Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR) and Technoscience Mauricie, Centre-du-Québec have unveiled a new educational “bubble.” The bubble is an inflatable space that groups can enter to watch presentations that are projected onto the interior walls. It will be used by primary and secondary schools to learn about science in an immersive, engaging way. Given the Mauricie region’s growing renewable energy industry, UQTR and Technoscience have developed a video presentation focused on energy production and consumption.