April 11, 2024

The Government of British Columbia has implemented new legislation that recognizes First Nations-mandated institutes as a “key pillar” of the provincial postsecondary system and ensures operational and capacity funding to support them. $6.45M in annual funding has been allotted to eligible institutes under the Indigenous Adult and Higher Learning Association (IAHLA). “We appreciate the stability this legislation will offer to our institutes as they grow to meet the needs of their communities,” said Tyrone McNeil, president of the First Nations Education Steering Committee (FNESC). “We look forward to the work ahead to implement the B.C. First Nations tripartite post-secondary education model in the spirit and intent of Article 14 of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.” The legislation was developed in partnership with FNESC and IAHLA.

Several Canadian postsecondary institutions have appeared among the leaders of the 2024 edition of the QS World University Rankings by Subject. 32 Canadian universities appeared among the rankings, with several appearing in the top 10 for at least one subject area. Looking to the five broad subject areas, the University of Toronto tied for 10th in the Arts and Humanities ranking. Within the specific subject areas, prominent Canadian appearances included: McGill University (#5 Mineral & Mining Engineering), University of Alberta (#6 Engineering – Petroleum), University of British Columbia (#3 Sports-Related Subjects), University of Guelph (#9 Veterinary Science), and U of T (#5 Nursing).

The University of Waterloo’s WatSPEED unit will host the Ontario Chamber of Commerce’s (OCC) AI Hub, which will assist small- and medium-sized businesses in the provinces looking to adopt AI technology. UWaterloo will also act as one of the anchor partners in the hub and provide businesses with access to AI upskilling programs through WatSPEED. “Through our partnership with the OCC’s AI Hub, the University of Waterloo […] will spearhead the development of cutting-edge educational resources tailored for businesses,” said UWaterloo President Vivek Goel. “Our focus is on AI training that meets the demand for skills, driving innovation and securing a prosperous future for Ontario’s industries and communities.”

Thompson Rivers University is partnering with the Government of British Columbia’s Wildfire Service (BCWS) to establish a new wildfire training and research centre. This centre–which BC says is the first of its kind in North America–will offer education opportunities such as basic training for wildland firefighters, undergraduate degrees in wildfire work, and postdoctoral work in fire science. This centre will complement TRU’s Institute for Wildfire Science, Adaptation and Resiliency, which opened in October 2023. “Being part of a broader, collaborative effort with [BCWS] is a great honour and we look forward to working side by side on initiatives that contribute to building a safer, more resilient future for our communities,” said TRU President Brett Fairbairn.

Saint Mary’s University Faculty Union (SMUFU) has voted 91% in favour of a non-confidence motion against SMU President Robert Summerby-Murray and Board of Governors Chair Alan Abraham. The union pointed to a lack of transparency surrounding financial issues and concerns about declining enrolment rates as key rationale behind the vote. In a press release, SMUFU added that they had secured external financial experts, who determined that the university’s deficit is the result of “mismanagement of enrollment projections [and] increased spending.” SMU issued a statement noting that the university is facing similar challenges to other postsecondary institutions and explaining “we have assured [the union], our faculty and staff that we will work collectively to take action to place the university on a course for sustainability.”

The University of Manitoba’s respirology department has received accreditation from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada to train and certify one fellow per year in sleep medicine. The fellow will be hosted at Misericordia Health Centre’s Sleep Disorder Centre, where they will gain experience diagnosing and managing sleep disorders such as insomnia, narcolepsy, and circadian rhythm disorders. “Manitoba is now home to one of only six universities in Canada that offers a fellowship that will support the education, assessment, diagnosis, and management of disorders related to sleep,” said Government of Manitoba Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara. “This fellowship is key to our government’s goal of making it easier for Manitobans to access the health care they need, closer to home.”

The Université du Québec en Outaouais has received $2.5M from the Government of Québec to advance scientific research on protecting the province’s beluga whale population. This investment will support the second phase of UQO’s beluga-noise research program, which focuses on modeling maritime traffic and the movement of marine mammals in the Estuary of St Lawrence and Saguenay Fjord. UQO researchers intend to use this funding to estimate the amount of noise belugas receive from boats, identify the impacts of different segments of navigation on the whales, and back concrete initiatives aimed at reducing underwater noise in these maritime regions.

“The start of the new school year will kick off another record-breaking season for anxiety on campus,” writes Mathilde Ross (Boston University Health Services), before clarifying: “I’m talking about the parents. The kids are mostly fine.” In light of the sector-wide discussions around mental health problems on campus, Ross discusses the phenomenon of parents “suffering from anxiety about [their childrens’] anxiety” and how this can prevent parents from helping their adult children to successfully navigate the transition to college life. Ross encourages parents to view this transition as an opportunity to begin an adult relationship with their children and show them how to navigate the transition to college, rather than sending children “to a mental health professional at the first sign of distress.”

Brock University has recently shared two important announcements. The university signed MOUs with two universities in the Philippines—University of Philippines, Los Baños (UPLB) and Isabela State University—to create new research, innovation, and learning opportunities. Brock’s Goodman School of Business also recently became a signatory member of the United Nations’ Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME). This initiative focuses on raising the profile of sustainability in business schools and equipping business students with the skills and knowledge they need to deliver change. “Our commitment is for our students to become responsible decision-makers who are attentive to their impact and are accountable for their actions – both the choices they make and avoid,” said Brock Goodman Dean Barry Wright.

The Southern Alberta Institute of Technology has partnered with BorderPass to streamline study permit application processes for new international students. Through this collaboration, new students will have access to a digital platform that tracks their study permit progress, assists with visa applications, and provides access to early planning tools for settlement. “We are thrilled to announce our partnership with BorderPass to offer direct applicants a secure and streamlined experience as they apply for study permits,” says SAIT Associate VP, International, Patrick Sullivan. “This collaboration will extend immigration support through the entire international student life cycle and enhance clarity and transparency for applicants as they navigate the study permit processes.”