December 19, 2025

Postsecondary institutions across Canada created video holiday greetings for their community members. The presidents of two universities played the leading role these greetings: Mount Royal University Dr Tim Rahilly fell asleep at his desk as the university mascot came alive to create festive chaos on campus, while the University of Windsor’s President JJ McMurtry explored the campus for his first holiday season at the university. The University of Toronto Mississauga’s holiday greeting featured “Dear UTM” letters highlighting the ways that students, staff, and faculty had grown over the past year. Students at Fleming College starred in a digital Advent Calendar, while at Mohawk College, students provided music for the 2025 holiday card. The University of Saskatchewan’s Holiday E-Card highlighted accomplishments from the year to the tune of a song composed and performed by USask President Peter Stoicheff.

The 11 leaders of the Université du Québec network and its member institutions have co-signed an article responding to Bill 1, the draft Québec Constitution Act. The authors call on the Government of Québec to remove Article 5 from the bill and to explicitly recognize academic freedom and autonomy within the constitution. In the letter, published in the Journal de Montréal, the authors explain that academic freedom and university autonomy is essential to fulfilling their institutional missions. They assert that Article 5 would jeopardize this by prohibiting universities from using their operating funds to challenge certain laws when needed to defend their mission. They point to incidents in the United States as examples of the risks posed by the bill as currently written.

In a recent podcast for Modern Campus, Jo-Anne Clarke (University of Victoria) discusses the importance of authentic collaboration with employers and responsive program design. Clarke explains that employers trust institutions to create quality, rigorous courses that can be brought to market quickly, while also helping learners develop higher-order thinking skills. With this in mind, employers and institutions can work together to offer responsive programs. She also touches on microcredentials and the important differences between what a traditional learner and what a working professional needs from their postsecondary education. In her concluding remarks, Clarke encourages those working within the continuing education space to network with one another and to approach their work with curiosity.

The University of Regina Students’ Association is now the official representative of students on campus, reports CTV News. The new association received 91% of votes in a recently held referendum, which means that URSA will become the new representative body on campus. URSA replaces the now-dissolved University of Regina Student’s Union. “This sends a strong message to our community and to institutions across the country,” wrote the association. “[URegina] students are not, and will not be, defined by URSU or its scandals.” URSA says that its next steps will include the establishment of a General Council, the official incorporation of the association, and negotiations with the university around the return of student funds and spaces.

Four new research chairs have been created at Western University’s Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry and the London Health Sciences Centre Research Institute through a $16.5M investment from the London Health Sciences Foundation and Western. The Charles G Drake Chair in Neurosurgery Research will develop advanced surgical treatments for neurosurgical disorders, while the Chair in Cardiovascular Clinical and Translational Research will strengthen clinical research in cardiovascular innovation. The Kay Family Chair in Transformational Kidney Care will conduct research on the prevention of permanent kidney failure, while the Chair in Orthopaedic Research and Innovation will focus on advancements in hip and knee joint replacements.

Concordia University has launched GenAI Quickstart for Students, a series of modules designed to educate students on responsible AI use in academia. The project contains five modules, each 15 minutes in length, that cover topics like academic integrity, AI tool abilities and limitations, and professor expectations. “Having a unified space to explore these tools brings clarity to a fast-moving area of technology, showing students how to use GenAI in ways that genuinely support their learning, not just as a shortcut that compromises the integrity of their work,” said Concordia Student Success Centre Learning Strategist Jennifer Banton.

Several institutions announced new programming this week. Cambrian College has begun accepting applications for its Building Construction Technician – Carpentry diploma program. Designed for those interested in residential and light commercial construction, the program offers flexible timing as well as an optional co-op opportunity. Humber Polytechnic has announced that it will launch two courses developed in partnership with the Ontario Real Estate Association: “Mastering OREA Forms: A Practical Foundation for Real Estate Transactions” and “Effective Leadership in Associations: Roles, Governance and Collaboration.” Holland College is now offering online training for those interested in obtaining a Power Engineer, Class B Refrigeration License. The program consists of self-paced courses and an on-the-job training session, which makes students eligible to write the associated provincial exam.

Chronicle of Higher Ed Reporter Gavin Escott explores the experiences of US instructors who are navigating increasing fears about having class recordings weaponized against them. Escott explains that while higher education used to operate under the assumption that discussions would stay within the classroom, today’s use of recording devices means that instructors and students may wonder if their views will be exposed and shared more broadly. Escott describes some of the challenges that instructors and students are facing, including anxiety, mistrust, and concerns about the use of recordings in complaints. The author details the impacts of these challenges and how some instructors are navigating them within the classroom.

Olds College of Agriculture & Technology and Agricultural Financial Services Corporation (AFSC) have renewed a memorandum of understanding aimed at advancing smart agriculture research. The MOU extends the partnership for another five years and sets out a framework for pursuing projects on drone use for hail damage estimation, field trials on the Olds College Smart Farm, and business risk management analytics and technologies. It also outlines learning opportunities for students. “AFSC and Olds College are natural allies – AFSC supports Alberta agriculture through insurance and lending, while Olds College advances agriculture through education and research,” said Olds VP External Relations & Research Todd Ormann.

The University of Winnipeg has received a gold STARS rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education. The university joins 22 other Canadian institutions that have attained the gold rating. “Sustainability at UWinnipeg is built into day-to-day decisions across academic, administrative, and operational areas of the University,” said UWinnipeg Executive Director, Facilities Kyle Macdonald. “The STARS process helps us measure that work in a meaningful way and identify opportunities to do better.” The university cited several initiatives that helped it attain the rating, including its Sustainability Strategy, LEED-certified buildings, sustainable contracts for food and waste management, and sustainability course offerings.