April 2, 2024

In the wake of the recent cyber incident at the University of Winnipeg, several analysts and reporters have taken a closer look at the growing incidence of cyber-attacks. Queen’s University and Royal Military College Professor Christian Leuprecht told CBC that universities are disproportionately targeted because of their research and intellectual property. Technology analyst Carmi Levy told Global News that universities tend to use multiple systems to gather, access, and manage data, which creates multiple entry points that can be abused by cybercriminals. Both Leuprecht and Levy noted the need for more funding to support preventative cybersecurity actions, such as hiring cybersecurity experts and improving institutional security. In an update on UWinnipeg’s situation, the Winnipeg Free Press noted that the university had rescheduled exams to mid-April.

The Government of Canada has announced the 2024 cohort of Applied Public Health Chairs with a $13.8M investment from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Public Health Agency of Canada. The six-year funding will support 12 research projects focused on addressing public health challenges, working with decision makers, and supporting evidence-informed decision making. The research chairs who received funding hail from Simon Fraser University, the University of British Columbia, the University of Manitoba, the University of Ottawa, the University of Regina, the University of Waterloo, Western University, and York University, among other research institutes.

Canadian postsecondary institutions from coast to coast recently marked International Transgender Day of Visibility, which celebrates Transgender, Two-Spirit, and gender non-confirming people and their contributions to society. Acadia University invited students to make pride buttons and learn about famous trans Canadians at an on-campus event. The University of Guelph, University of Waterloo, and University of British Columbia highlighted resources—including modules, eHandbooks, digital roadmaps, and special events—that students can use to learn how to be allies to members of the Trans+ community. Royal Roads University President Philip Steenkamp raised the Trans flag on campus and issued a statement outlining the institution’s support to the Trans+ community.

The Government of Manitoba is restoring the 1:1 apprenticeship ratio to improve apprentice safety and ensure proper training. The ratio—which had been implemented after the death of an apprentice who was working unsupervised—had been removed by MB’s previous government. “We are proud to restore the 1:1 apprenticeship ratio,” said MB Economic Development, Investment, Trade and Natural Resources Minister Jamie Moses. “High-quality training, with the highest possible safety standards, is good for industry, good for our province and it means more Manitobans coming home safely at the end of a shift.”

Emily Carr University of Art + Design’s Shumka Centre for Creative Entrepreneurship is launching a program that integrates work-integrated learning (WIL) into studio arts and animation coursework. Named Pathways for Creative Futures, the program offers 140 curricular WIL opportunities through which students will be able to connect with industry experts and develop their hands-on skills. “The Pathways program speaks directly to desires from our students to engage with industry–especially our local industry–earlier in their degrees,” said ECU Dean of Faculty of Design + Dynamic Media Celeste Martin. “Bringing work-integrated learning into the classroom provides crucial networking opportunities and ladders directly into professional practice.”

Cégep de Thetford, Cégep de Baie-Comeau, and Cégep de Sept-Îles are partnering to bring Thetford’s mechanical engineering AEC program to the Centre de Formation professionnelle et Technique Sénégal-Japon, located in Dakar, Senegal. This three-year project begins in January 2025 with the goal of graduating two cohorts of around 15 students each. In doing so, the cégeps hope to establish links with the international community while developing Senegal’s mechanical engineering workforce. The project is supported by the Government of Québec’s Programme Québec-Francophonie en formation technique.

In an editorial for The EvoLLLution, Anthony Lee (President of Westcliff University) discusses how higher education can foster social responsibility. Lee discusses how Westcliff’s community members demonstrate the institution’s core values—including integrity, global citizenship, compassion and diversity, and equity and inclusivity—through activities such as volunteer work, partnerships with nonprofits, and the creation of scholarships for students from diverse backgrounds. Lee offers a list of guiding principles that university leaders can draw on to implement similar higher education social responsibility initiatives. Among these, the author encourages leaders to seek out others who are committed to making a positive impact, develop a well-defined strategy that outlines the institution’s goals and how philanthropic efforts will align with these goals, and engage all stakeholders—from employees to students to alumni—in the pursuit of the institution’s goals.

The Government of Nova Scotia’s distribution of study permit applications may hit three universities hard if conversion rates do not improve, according to a recent article in CBC. The article states that Cape Breton University, Mount Saint Vincent University, and Université Sainte-Anne are facing decreases in study permit applications of 52%, 44%, and 34%, respectively. Conversely, the distribution model will see increases for universities such as Dalhousie University (70%), St Francis Xavier University (19%), and Acadia University (14%). NS Advanced Education Minister Brian Wong noted that it is too early to predict the financial implications of the changes, given that the impact will be affected by whether NS is able to improve its conversion rate from 39% to something closer to the national rate of 60%.

After negotiations, Brandon University and the Brandon University Faculty Association (BUFA) have officially ratified a new four-year collective agreement, which applies retroactively from April 2023 to March 2027. The agreement includes pay increases of 2.5%, 2.75%, 3%, and 3% over four years; lump-sum payments for full-time and part-time staff; new language about academic freedom; and measures to ensure equity-deserving groups have fair and equitable access to opportunities. “I am pleased we have reached a deal that’s fair for everyone and that recognizes the hard work and value that members of the BU Faculty Association bring to the university every day, through their research, teaching, service, and student supports,” said BrandonU President Dr David Docherty.

The National Association of Career Colleges (NACC) unveiled a new career training portal for Canadian veterans last week. NACC’s new website allows veterans to easily explore eligible and approved regulated career colleges and the programs they offer, supporting them in the pursuit of their post-service career goals. The website also shares information about how veterans can receive funds toward their education through the Government of Canada’s Education and Training Benefit. “We are pleased to provide a new solution to Canadian veterans so they can easily navigate the many skills development and job training programs offered by NACC member institutions from coast-to-coast, who have a long and successful track record of preparing veterans for meaningful post-service careers,” said NACC CEO Michael Sangster.