December 17, 2025

Four partners in Québec—Cégep de Trois-Rivières’s Centre de métallurgie du Québec, Institut national de la recherche scientifique, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, and Innofibre—are collaborating to create a new state-of-the-art facility for the energy transition. Supported by $7.6M from government and industry partners, the platform will enable the INRS-UQTR joint research unit to research battery materials, storage and production of decarbonized hydrogen, and industrial process decarbonization. In addition to researchers, students and interns will have access to the facilities and will be able to develop their skills in a hands-on manner.

Several institutions have recently announced tuition increases for the 2026/27 academic year. The University of British Columbia Board of Governors has reportedly approved tuition fee increases of 2% for domestic students and between 2–4% for international students. Similarly, the University of Calgary Board of Governors has approved a 2% increase for domestic students and a 4% increase for international students, as well as various increases to general student fees, residence rates, and parking. Meanwhile, the NAIT Nugget reports that NAIT is proposing exceptional tuition increases for select programs, though the student union has refused to support the increases.

The University of Winnipeg has reinstated the Indigenous Community Advisory Circle, which ensures that local external Indigenous community members have the opportunity to provide input into important matters at the university. An Indigenous advisory circle was previously formed in 2011, but concluded in 2022. The reinstated ICAC will be responsible for providing vision, leadership, guidance, oversight, and accountability on a variety of issues. This will ensure that processes, programs, and initiatives are guided by Indigenous peoples and reflective of a commitment to Reconciliation and Indigenous excellence.

HEC Montréal and Stanford University have partnered to enable HEC students to participate in an International Honors Program (IHP) delivered as a summer school experience at Stanford. From 2026 onward, 15 students will be able to take part in an eight-week program on Stanford’s campus with guaranteed accommodations and a tuition fee discount. They will participate in courses from fields such as computer science, the humanities, and the natural sciences, while also taking part in extracurricular activities at Stanford and across the broader San Francisco Bay Area. Students who complete the program above a select grade threshold will receive an IHP certificate of completion and an official transcript from Stanford.

Trinity Western University’s venture incubator EMBARK has achieved Mitacs incubator status. This status means that TWU undergraduate and graduate students can complete internships at EMBARK through the Mitacs Business Strategy Internship program. “This status provides student founders the direct financial support to advance their ventures and gives community partners access to TWU’s top research talent,” said EMBARK Managing Director Ian Angell. “We are committed to supporting founders across all industries, particularly those in technical and research-driven sectors, by connecting them with skilled TWU students.”

The University of New Brunswick and Canadian University Dubai (CUD) have signed a pathway agreement that will expand access to health training. The CUD–UNB Bachelor of Health Pathway Program is a 2+2 pathway that will enable students from CUD’s bachelor of science in public health program to transfer into the third year of UNB’s bachelor of health program. Students can specialize in one of three areas at UNB: management and health, biomedical and health, and society and health. The program is expected to launch in Fall 2026.

The University of Manitoba has created a new anti-racism strategy that will focus on mitigating harms and foregrounding shared humanity. The UM Anti-Racism Strategy will move towards racial justice by combatting institutional racism and advancing anti-racism and reconciliation. The strategy will make existing anti-racism efforts more visible and provide a framework for continuing this work. “The Anti-Racism Strategy is an expression of the University of Manitoba’s commitment to being the kind of institution our community deserves — one where dignity and opportunity are shared by all,” said Chair of UManitoba’s Board of Governors Michael Robertson. “The strategy moves us closer to the equitable, responsive university Manitobans expect and need.”

Cambrian College and Okanagan College have each announced the launch of new programs. Cambrian will be launching a one-year Graduate Certificate in Data Analytics that covers topics such as data collection and ethics, data visualization, and machine learning. According to Sudbury.com, the college is also expanding its existing health-care programs with more seats and intakes. Okanagan will be offering the National Welder Competency Assessment and Skills Training (NWCAST) program. This tuition-free training initiative will provide up to 33 internationally-trained welders with online assessments, hands-on training, and Canadian Welding Bureau certification testing.

University students are facing high levels of academic burnout, writes Daria Orth for Calgary Journal. Citing a Universities Canada report that found that 89% of students feel overwhelmed by their responsibilities, Orth describes some of the challenges students are facing. Student Sindy Hassas shared how her struggles to manage her course load mean that she neglects her physical health. Mount Royal University Counsellor Michael Huston explained that students often face burnout because of factors such as academic course load, part-time jobs, and relationships, while MRU Alumni Programs Specialist Jennifer Hampson highlighted the additional pressure of searching for a job.

Selkirk College has rolled out a modernized, mobile-friendly student portal. The new system offers one central location where students can find information such as their course schedules, academic history, transcripts, and payments. “The goal of this upgrade is simple: make it easier for students to find what they need, when they need it,” said Selkirk Chief Information Officer Nick Howald. “This new interface reflects our commitment to improving the digital tools that support student success and accessibility.”