April 16, 2026

The Government of Nova Scotia has made changes to simplify its 0% interest student loan program. Specifically, NS has removed the yearly requirement for graduates with student loans to reapply for 0% interest status. “Graduates should be able to focus on the new, exciting stage they are starting – not worrying about whether they have filled out the paperwork to keep loan repayment affordable,” explained NS Minister of Advanced Education Brendan Maguire. NS says that the program was used by 7,000 borrowers in the province in 2024/25.

The Ontario Council on Articulation and Transfer (ONCAT) has launched a new platform to modernize credit transfer at Ontario postsecondary institutions. The Ontario Transfer Credit System (ONTCS) offers a modern system where postsecondary institutions can submit and respond to transfer credit requests and manage course equivalencies. The system was developed through collaboration with BCCAT, which shared its technology platform with ONCAT. As part of this announcement, ONCAT shared that the University of Guelph will work with six partner institutions to create a standardized process, which postsecondary institutions can follow to adopt ONTCS.

Mount Allison University has established the Brenton Wood Environmental Sustainability Research & Initiatives Fund with a $2.6M gift from philanthropists Andrew Brenton and Kerry Wood. The fund will be used to create opportunities for researchers and students and build undergraduate teaching, mentorship, and research excellence. “At a time when environmental questions are among the most urgent facing our world, the Brenton Wood Environmental Sustainability Research & Initiatives Fund will create new opportunities for students and faculty to pursue meaningful research, ask important questions, and contribute to solutions,” said MtA Provost and VP, Academic and Research Dr Richard Isnor.

First Nations University of Canada will be celebrating its 50th year of offering Indigenous education this May. As part of its celebrations, the university has introduced its 50th Anniversary Logo, which features a buffalo as a symbol of strength, sustenance, and life to represent education’s role in Indigenous communities. FNU will use this logo until May 2027. “The desire and vision for a higher education institution that was First Nation-owned and operated was alive and very real for First Nation leaders,” said FNU President Jacqueline Ottmann. “What we’re doing is living the dream, we’re living that vision.”

Students must develop their reasoning skills as AI is increasingly able to produce clean outputs, writes Chrysanthos Dellarocas (Boston University). Dellarocas writes that generative AI has separated the creation of work from the competency behind it, and asserts that education must combat this by teaching students how to frame problems to bring in particular information using AI, and interpret AI outputs to identify if the information the tool has brought in actually answers their questions. Dellarocas describes some of the ways he has shifted his class to focus on reasoning over outputs. “The answer is the hardest thing to teach: genuine understanding, deep enough to know when the artifact in front of you is right, and what to do when it isn’t,” writes Dellarocas.

Wilfrid Laurier University has received a $1.25M gift from the Wilfrid Laurier University Students’ Union to mark the union’s 50-year anniversary. Of the gift, $250K will go towards the Students’ Union 50th Anniversary Volunteer Bursary Fund, and $250K will go to the Leanne Holland Brown Student Emergency Fund to support students facing financial emergencies. The Milton campus, Brantford campus, and Waterloo campus will each receive $250K to support their student experiences. “As one of our key partners in student experience and success, the Students’ Union continues to build, in a significant way, on our shared vision to inspire lives of leadership and purpose through holistic support and vibrant campuses,” said WLU President Deborah MacLatchy.

University of Alberta Associate Professor Michael Litwack and two alumni have filed a lawsuit against the university related to the dismantling of a pro-Palestine encampment in 2024. The applicants claim that ordering the Edmonton Police Service to dismantle the encampment violated their charter rights to freedom of expression, assembly, and association. Canadian Lawyer notes that the claims come despite a third-party review of the decision to dismantle the encampment, conducted by retired judge Adèle Kent, which found that the university acted within the bounds of the law. The plaintiffs hope that the lawsuit will set a precedent for similar cases in the country.

Thompson Rivers University and the First Nations Health Authority have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to advance First Nations health and wellness in British Columbia. The partnership involves several initiatives, including expanding education and training for future health care professionals, supporting community-based learning, and strengthening human health resources in First Nations communities. “This agreement brings together TRU and the First Nations Health Authority in a powerful way, connecting education, research and community priorities to advance First Nations health and wellness, and creating meaningful opportunities for learners and communities alike,” explained TRU President Dr Airini.

At Mount Royal University, students and staff have raised concerns after reportedly not receiving notifications about a shelter in place incident on campus. On Monday afternoon, Calgary police issued a shelter in place order after confirming a report of a person with a knife on campus, who later was determined to be a campus chef. MRU says that it sent messages to the community through several avenues, including its MRU Now app, which is used for campus emergencies. However, several students and staff told CBC and Global News that they did not receive any notifications about the situation. MRU acknowledged several challenges with the situation, including issues where a phone operating system may put unused apps into “hibernation.”

The University of Guelph-Humber and security professional association ASIS Toronto Chapter 193 have partnered to introduce new credit recognition options. Through this collaboration, Certified Protection Professionals can have their certification recognized for credit towards UoGuelph-Humber’s Justice & Public Safety degree program. ASIS Toronto Executive Committee Vice Chairperson Sarah Miller explained that the collaboration would benefit busy security professionals by reducing barriers to obtaining a Justice & Public Safety degree in a part-time format. UoGuelph-Humber Justice Studies Chair Gary Galbraith explained that the certification is already recognized for credit in the US and that the partnership with ASIS Toronto would be the first such partnership in Ontario.