April 9, 2024

The Government of British Columbia has launched a new online platform called TradeUpBC that provides tradespeople with access to new and specialized training opportunities. Experienced and certified tradespeople from a wide variety of sectors can use TradeUpBC to learn about the reskilling and training opportunities that are available at BC’s public postsecondary institutions. “TradeUpBC supports [tradespeoples’] growth and brings together short-term training opportunities for experienced Red Seal tradespeople into one online platform,” said BC Minister of Postsecondary Education and Future Skills Lisa Beare. “This one-stop shop will help them further enhance their skills, advance their careers, strengthen their businesses and supercharge a sustainable economy.”

Mohawk College will open its first off-campus student residence in May. The dorm-style residence will open in downtown Hamilton with space for as many as 300 students. “We are excited to nearly double our residence space by providing Mohawk College students with an off-campus housing option,” said Mohawk VP of Corporate Services Kim Watkins. “This residence will provide students with another safe, affordable option for accommodation when they choose to move to Hamilton to study.” This residence will add to Mohawk’s existing housing, which consists of a 340-bed residence on the Fennell campus.

The Government of Nova Scotia has tasked Cape Breton University with assessing the feasibility of developing Atlantic Canada’s first municipal light rail system. The Cape Breton Regional Municipality has experienced significant growth after years of decline, but that growth has come with growing pains in the form of reliable transportation and housing for students and other community members. CTV News explains that the proposed battery-powered, light-rail train service would rely on the region’s existing train tracks, which have been out of use for nearly a decade. “If it’s feasible, it will happen, but we’ve got to determine that first,” said NS Premier Tim Houston. To support the study, NS is providing $610K in funding to CBU.

The University of Fraser Valley began celebrations for its 50th Anniversary last week with a live broadcast event that connected campuses in Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Mission, and Hope. The event was attended by students and alumni, employees, community partners, and Indigenous representatives and included performances from the Pil’alt Warrior Group, Strong Bow and Wry, Rooh Punjab Deeb, and Maddi Krulicki. The university’s anniversary celebrations will continue throughout the year and conclude with an Alumni Weekend in April 2025. “Fifty years and 50,000 alumni later, we are grateful to the community leaders and educators who had the vision for a post-secondary institution in the Fraser Valley,” said UFV President Dr Joanne MacLean.   

Algonquin College has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the technology company CAE to advance workforce development and innovation. The agreement covers such projects as the development of an Immersive Learning Lab and the launch of a virtual exhibit on Canada’s Cold War era with the Canadian Aviation & Space Museum. The collaboration will also support Indigenous education and integrate innovative technologies into learning environments. “Our collaboration with CAE epitomizes a significant amalgamation of education, technology, and innovation,” said Algonquin President Claude Brulé. “I foresee innumerable opportunities within this partnership to equip our learners with the skills needed to meet the dynamic demands of the workforce and drive substantial progress in our society.”

In an article for University World News, Patrick Blessinger (St John’s University), Abhilasha Singh (American University), and Madasu Bhaskara Rao (ICFAI Business School) argue that universities must lead the global journey toward sustainable development. They underline that a comprehensive and interdisciplinary education on issues like climate change is paramount to addressing many of the today’s foremost environmental challenges. Accordingly, the authors advise that universities integrate sustainable development principles into their entire curricula rather than offering one-off courses on sustainability, and that they foster a culture of sustainability on campus by supporting student-led sustainability clubs and initiatives. They write that sustainability should be reflected in all institutional operations, concluding: “In short, universities should serve as institutional role models for sustainability.”

The Université de Moncton’s Board of Governors recently announced a budget surplus of $1.5M for 2024-25, but specified that it will increase tuition rates moving forward. In a news release, UMoncton stated that a steady increase in international enrolment over the past few years has placed the university in a favourable financial situation. However, UMoncton added that the Government of Canada’s decision to cap international study permit applications has projected uncertainty onto the university’s 2024-25 academic year. UMoncton has accordingly decided to increase tuition by 3% for all students.

Brock University and the University of Calgary recently announced new programs that are designed to help professionals in fields such as education and health improve their skills. Brock’s ten new graduate micro-programs cover topics in the areas of education, kinesiology, and public health. “The demand for these programs is skyrocketing as professionals look for opportunities to enhance their expertise in a more accessible and flexible manner,” explained Brock Vice-Provost and Dean of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs Suzanne Curtin. UCalgary has launched a unique social work specialization for its Community-Informed Practice for Health & Well-being certificate. The specialization will equip social workers with the skills they need to challenge the dominant models of mental health care and offer alternative, interdisciplinary approaches to mental health.

The Town of Wolfville, which hosts Acadia University, recently called on Saint Mary’s University Professor Stephen Schneider to explore alternative methods that could address issues with the town’s “sometimes rowdy population of university students.” Schneider noted that Wolfville’s issues with nuisance parties and violence are “common in many college towns and cities,” adding that issues ranging from stagnant wages to cyberbullying to the climate change crisis “have taken a toll, creating a dystopian vision of [each student’s] future and contributing to a mental health epidemic.” Drawing on the recommendations of the Mass Casualty Commission’s study and the successes of recent efforts by the town and Acadia to address the issue, Schneider has encouraged Wolfville to pilot a community-based alternative to the RCMP over five years.

The Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) is investigating a “hard landing” at the Sault Ste Marie Airport that involved a Sault College instructor and student. CTV reports that both individuals “walked away from the crash,” though Sault President David Orazietti confirmed that they were transported to the hospital. “Safety is our top priority in this program. We’re certainly relieved both the student and instructor are both safe,” said Orazietti, who also noted the rarity of a crash, given that the college averages 65,000 takeoffs and landings each year. “We’ll be fully investigating the circumstances to ensure that all of our safety and flight procedures are followed to determine what transpired in the event.”