April 18, 2024

Several postsecondary organizations have shared their reaction to the Government of Canada’s Budget 2024. Colleges and Institutes Canada welcomed Budget 2024’s investment in workforce development and housing, foreign credential recognition for newcomers in construction, and student jobs and work-integrated learning. Universities Canada applauded the investments in research, scholarships and postdoctoral fellowships, and student mental health care; the U15 echoed these points in its comments around the funding for federal research granting agencies and the opportunity for the research funding to renew Canada’s talent pipeline. The Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA) took note of the improvements to student financial supports, particularly the funding extensions for students from low-income families, in addition to the federal government’s movement on housing and scholarships.

Canada’s Top 100 has published the winners of its 2024 Canada’s Greenest Employers competition. The competition assesses employers from across Canada for their success in creating a culture of environmental awareness. Employers were evaluated based on factors such as environmental initiatives, success in reducing organizational footprint, and more. Thirteen Canadian postsecondary schools made the list: British Columbia Institute of Technology, Centennial College, Concordia University, Durham College, Fleming College, Humber College, Mohawk College, University of British Columbia, University of Northern British Columbia, University of Toronto, University of Victoria, Wilfrid Laurier University, and York University. The competition editors noted that the common thread between winning employers this year was their willingness to listen to and support employees with ideas about implementing green initiatives.

The Baron, the student newspaper at the University of New Brunswick Saint John, has returned to print format after a decade of online-only publications. “It was really important to me to prove to students that they give us $13 a semester for a reason,” said The Baron Editor-in-Chief Emily Wheaton. Wheaton explained that the passing of the Online News Act meant that it could become more difficult to distribute news content through social media avenues, while the physical format held unique opportunities to connect with students and faculty and generate nostalgia. When The Baron reappeared on campus in a physical format in December, students were surprised by it. “A lot of them were smelling the paper,” said Wheaton. “They had never held a physical paper before, which I thought was really funny.”

In order to address pressing challenges like climate change, it is essential that postsecondary education fosters a sense of community among its students, argues Isabella Capeci (Harvard University) for The EvoLLLution. Capeci explains that postsecondary experiences are often designed to prepare students to live in an individualistic society; however, community building and collaboration–rather that individual convenience and consumerism–is essential to a sustainable future. The author offers suggestions for embedding sustainable practices and community building into postsecondary student engagement efforts, including encouraging students to cook together, promoting resource-sharing on campus, and reviewing learning goals related to innovation and invention.

The Cégep de Saint-Jérôme’s Quartier général de l’audace (QGDA) is partnering with the Réseau Mentorat to spark the entrepreneurial spirit among postsecondary students. Through this collaboration, all students involved in the the cégep’s laboratory for future business leaders and creatives will have access to an entrepreneurial mentorship offered in coordination with the Réseau Mentorat. This partnership is meant to develop skills among students, support their entrepreneurial journeys and provide an incubator for the region’s talent.

York University’s School of Continuing Studies has launched a Certificate in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Action. This part-time, accelerated program covers the competencies that working professionals need to support their organization’s strategic diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives; advance their organization’s inclusion; and build sustainable DEI policies. The curriculum was developed in partnership with business leaders who specialize in DEI. “[W]e are excited to launch this new program which responds to what DEI professionals are telling us is needed to support their work — a formal education credential that ensures graduates have practical experience in implementing DEI practices,” said YorkU Assistant VP of Continuing Studies Christine Brooks-Cappadocia.

The University of Lethbridge will be embarking on eight environmental research projects, thanks to new funding from the Government of Alberta. These projects will study water storage in lakes, the restoration of the habitats of the endangered sage-grouse, and other key environmental issues affecting southern Alberta. “The Ministry’s significant investment in these innovative and provincially important research projects led by [ULethbridge] researchers working with Environment and Protected Areas colleagues is greatly appreciated,” said ULethbridge VP Research Dr Dena McMartin. “These projects will help to monitor and build understanding of the southern Alberta environment and potentially lead to better responses to droughts, floods, species at risk and less predictable climate changes.” AB has committed $500K over three years to the projects.

CDL-Montréal—a Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) program powered by Executive Education HEC Montréal—is adding a quantum technologies stream to its offerings. To do so, CDL-Montréal will be partnering with CDL-Toronto, which leads the Quantum Stream. CDL-Montréal Site Lead Julien Billot explained that the organization also plans to draw on the management expertise of HEC and the cutting-edge research and resources of the quantum science centre in Sherbrooke—as well as dedicated facilities in other parts of Québec— to accelerate the commercialization of quantum technology.

Toronto Metropolitan University’s Rogers Cybersecure Catalyst and the Canadian Cyber Threat Exchange have launched the “Cyber Challenge,” a program designed to empower Ontario’s technology start-ups to address cybersecurity challenges. This program targets six key sectors: automotive, life sciences, smart infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, law enforcement, and mining. Each sector’s Cyber Challenge takes place over eight months, during which time participating start-ups receive access to new markets, test new products, gain exposure, and build trust with clients. Participation is free in order to encourage the province’s start-ups to develop solutions that tackle critical industry challenges.

Concordia University and the Concordia University Faculty Association (CUFA) have officially signed their 2023-26 collective agreement, after approving the deal reached in December. “We are looking forward to the implementation of this new Collective Agreement which includes new measures specifically designed to address workload,” says CUFA President Ciprian Alecsandru. “This agreement not only improves our current working conditions, but also sets a positive precedent for future negotiations.” CUFA represents more than 2,200 full-time faculty members and professional librarians at the university.