January 30, 2026

Manitoba Institute of Trades and Technology will be closing its doors in August after a decision by the Government of Manitoba. MITT announced the news on Wednesday, citing a 55% drop in international enrolment that it connected to the IRCC’s changes to the international student program. In a memo, the institution stated that these changes “have created uncertainty for students and post-secondary institutions across Canada and sent a message abroad that international students aren’t valued here.” MITT will transfer some programs to Red River College Polytechnic. Current students will be able to complete their studies, with some graduating from RRC Polytech.

Memorial University’s Board of Regents have approved the divestment of several properties that it says are “not central to Memorial’s academic mission.” The impacted real estate includes the Signal Hill Campus, the Johnson Geo Centre, the Ingstad building, and the UK-based Harlow Campus. Memorial President Dr Janet Morrison said that the decision will help the university right-size its physical footprint, reducing Memorial’s annual operating expenses by at least $3M and its deferred maintenance liability by an estimated $20M. “This decision to pursue divestment of these assets is not a value judgement on the quality of work done in these areas, nor does it mean that activities and units within those buildings will end,” said Morrison.

Institutions across the country are holding events in the upcoming weeks to celebrate Black History Month. Institutions are inviting their communities to participate in interactive activities including Brock University’s Afro-Caribbean Night, Red Deer Polytechnic’s Button Making and Hair Braiding events, SMU’s Paint Your Flag 2.0 event, the University of Guelph’s African Street Eats cooking class, and the University of Prince Edward Island’s Cultural Showcase and Student Market. Speaking events ranging from guest lectures to panels to open mic performances have been announced at OCAD University, Saint Mary’s University, St Thomas University, the University of New Brunswick, Wilfrid Laurier University, and Vancouver Island University. Libraries at UPEI, RDP, and SMU also encouraged their communities to explore Black Canadian literature and poetry throughout the month.

The Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (HEQCO) and the Social Research and Demonstration Corporation (SRDC) have released research detailing the financial impacts of postsecondary non-completion. In the report, SRDC found that, compared to not enrolling at all, non-completion has greater benefits for society and the individual. However, the benefits of completing a program were still higher than non-completion, with completers contributing a net benefit of $230K more in lifetime tax revenue and reduced social assistance costs to governments than their non-completion counterparts. From this, they suggest that even a moderate investment by federal and provincial governments toward redirecting potential non-completers would result in a significant return on investment.

The Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières and the Centre de services scolaire des Affluents are piloting a master’s degree in education for teachers who do not have a teaching certificate. This pathway will allow secondary teachers to learn while continuing to work in a school setting, providing them with a pathway to certification while addressing the labour shortage at the same time. The purpose of this pilot project is to enhance the flexibility of teacher training programs to support Québec’s education system. UQTR Rector Christian Blanchette explained that the program ensures stability at schools while promoting students’ educational success.

Fleming College has announced that it is launching an accelerated Veterinary Technician program beginning in the Fall. Fleming explained that the program is unique in Ontario, as it provides students on-site clinical learning starting in their first week of study. Hands-on practice will take place at the Peterborough Humane Society, which has partnered with the college on the initiative. Students will also complete an industry placement before graduation where they will gain an additional 150 hours of experience. Fleming Interim President Dr Theresa Knott said that when these hands-on opportunities are combined with Fleming’s advanced simulation technologies, “graduates will emerge as highly skilled veterinary technicians that employers are actively seeking.”

Université du Québec à Montréal has announced that it is launching a redesigned À l’UQAM, on publie website, which lists all of the books published by members of UQAM’s community. The new design is intended to make the browsing experience more enjoyable so that readers can explore the works published in English or French by students, graduates, instructors, employees, and retirees. The website also includes books published by legal entities such as UQAM’s researche centres and institutes.

Brandon University has released fact sheets guiding students, staff, and faculty on fighting “isms”—including ableism, ageism, racism, and sexism—in the university community. The sheets describe the steps to take when witnessing or experiencing isms from someone in a position of power, how to lodge a formal complaint, and how to reflect on ism accusations against oneself. “These conversations matter because students don’t leave these experiences at the classroom door,” explained BrandonU Centre for Applied Research and Education in Indigenous, Rural, and Remote Settings Director Dr Gustavo Moura. “Whether in labs, healthcare placements, schools, or community settings, we have a responsibility to support students as whole people and to value the traditions, histories, and identities they bring with them.”

Ferhan G Sağın and Robert A Harris of Nature have identified ways that institutional leaders can make the academic workplace happier and healthier. They discuss how academic workplaces have changed at a greater pace than academic culture and assert that improvement is possible if academics speak openly about the current challenges being faced. In particular, they highlight five practices that must become standard practice in academia: mandatory leadership training, anonymous reporting, cultural climate audits, the use of well-being as measure of success, and accountability that goes beyond academic reputations and CVs.

Northern College has partnered with the Saudi Arabia-based Saudi Mining Polytechnic to share mining expertise in mining programming, training, and professional development. Northern College will participate by sharing its curriculum, providing input on program creation, and collaborating on research initiatives. “The principles of education are founded on the sharing of knowledge and perspective, in partnership and collaboration and this MOU with SMP is a wonderful example of those principles at work – education spanning culture and continents to the betterment of all learners,” said Northern College President Mitch Dumas.