September 19, 2025

The Montreal Gazette reports that McGill University is planning to open several satellite campuses outside of Canada. McGill President Deep Saini explained that McGill Global will establish satellite campuses in key locations that will expand student and faculty opportunities. Saini explained that the satellite operations would be an extension of McGill’s base in Québec, adding that “this duality is not in tension; it is mutually reinforcing: McGill brings the world to Québec, and Québec to the world.” Saini also referenced McGill’s intent to increase its outreach to locals in Québec and “further strengthen (its) connection to the French language and culture.”

The University of British Columbia has officially opened its $45M expansion for its Beaty Biodiversity Centre. This six-storey expansion houses the Biodiversity Research Centre and the Beaty Biodiversity Museum and includes new research and meeting spaces. It is designed for thermal comfort, optimized for indoor air quality, and includes features such as bird-friendly patterned windows and a pollinator garden planted with native species. “This state-of-the-art space will further strengthen UBC’s expertise in advancing biodiversity knowledge to drive positive environmental change across British Columbia, Canada, and the world,” said UBC President Benoit-Antoine Bacon.

RBC has published a new report that describes five key reform areas that could bring the postsecondary education sector in line with Canada’s new economic reality. “Testing Times: Fending off a crisis in Canadian postsecondary education” draws on the findings of nine regional roundtables with business and higher ed leaders. Recommendations were centred on modernizing institutions’ mandates and linking research and programming more closely with federal and provincial goals. RBC also encourages institutions to specialize by leaning into local industries and partnerships and training graduates who meet labour demands. The report concludes by noting that K-12 educators and employers also share the responsibility of modernizing and creating a strong Canadian workforce.

Bishop’s University has launched OUI EXPERIENCE, an initiative that supports members of the university community who are learning French as a second or additional language. The program will foster interactions among French-speaking and English-speaking members of the community through linguistic and cultural opportunities and educational activities, and will include French as a Second Language courses offered by the Département d’études françaises et québécoises. Bishop’s is using an incentive-based approach to encourage students to participate in OUI EXPERIENCE.

NTU Rankings have released their 2025 World University Rankings, and several Canadian postsecondary institutions have appeared among the leaders. The rankings score institutions from around the world according to research productivity and impact. A total of 18 Canadian institutions appeared in the world rankings; those in the top 100 included the University of Toronto (#4), the University of British Columbia (#33), McGill University (#50), and the University of Alberta (#88).

The University of Saskatchewan and Vancouver Community College have each launched new certificate programs this week. USask’s Introductory Agriculture certificate provides learners with a base level of knowledge about agriculture in the prairies. Open to students from a variety of backgrounds, the certificate can be transferred into other programs at the university. Meanwhile, VCC’s Digital Learning for Innovative Teaching micro-credential is designed to help educators build their skills in digital content creation and AI usage in teaching. The self-paced course can be completed in approximately 150 hours.

In a recent article, University Affairs journalist Marie-Lou Bernatchez discusses how criminals are targeting international applicants and students to Canadian universities. Bernatchez explains that applicants are often targeted by large-scale scams that can include fake immigration officials, admission platforms, and websites that mimic university sites. Before and after arriving in Canada, international students are targeted by other scams, such as money laundering, due to their isolation and financial precarity. Université de Montréal Professor David Décary-Hétu explained that the international nature of the crime makes it difficult for police to act. Bernatchez highlights the ways that institutions are responding to these issues by raising awareness, creating verification procedures, and targeting fraudulent sites.

A University of Alberta law professor has been placed on non-disciplinary leave after making online comments after the death of Charlie Kirk, reports Vancouver Sun. Law students were reportedly notified by an email from the Faculty of Law dean about the professor being placed on leave. In the email, the faculty dean noted that there have “also been threats targeting faculty, staff and student groups” and that the university is seeking to ensure that “those who are the targets of online threats and vitriol” stay safe. The professor will be on leave while the university completes a review.

The First Nations University of Canada has partnered with the University of Zululand (UNIZULU) in South Africa to promote Indigenous education. This partnership offers students and faculty the opportunity to engage in exchanges, joint research, and cultural preservation efforts. FNU President Jacqueline Ottmann explained that the idea arose after meeting the university’s representatives at a conference, where she noted similarities between the two institutions. “[The UNIZULU community] are also very communal and tribal, and their organizational structures are very circular and inclusive,” said Ottmann. “Drum is a big part of their celebration and ceremonies. They have vibrant colours of their regalia. And they are focused on reviving and reclaiming their Indigenous language and more traditions.”

Canadian Mennonite University will celebrate the completion of the first phase of their new geothermal energy system on Saturday with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The system, according to the Winnipeg Free Press, is the first of its kind in Manitoba. As a part of a number of recent initiatives to make the campus net-zero, it will provide heating to several of the campus’ buildings. CMU VP of Student Life and Campus Operations Charlie Peronto said that the project will reduce CMU’s carbon output by at least 25% and result in substantial long-term savings on energy costs. The estimated $8.4M project is being supported by funds from donors and the Government of Manitoba.