August 12, 2025

Global Education Communities Corp has sold Sprott Shaw College to the UK-based BPP Education Group. The sale includes all 16 of Sprott Shaw College’s campuses across British Columbia, as well as two office buildings. Global Education Communities Corp will continue to operate in BC, focusing on its other educational institutions: Global Education Alliance, Sprott Shaw Language College (soon to be SSLC College), and Vancouver International College. The corporation also plans to continue expanding its portfolio of student housing properties to service students at Sprott Shaw and other institutions in the province.

In his piece for the Globe and Mail, Balsillie School of International Affairs Fellow Fred Gorbet writes that Ontario universities are in a “financial chokehold” created primarily by the Government of Ontario’s fee regulation. Gorbet cites a 2023 Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives study that estimates that universities in ON need an additional $5B a year to meet the average funding provided to Canadian universities. As a solution, Gorbet proposes that fees should be deregulated to increase revenues and encourage competition between schools. He writes that this deregulation must follow conditions to ensure that students are properly informed, avoid sudden fee increases, and ensure that a fixed amount of revenues go to financial support for accessibility.

Royal Roads University and National Taipei University of Technology in Taiwan have signed a memorandum of understanding that supports cooperation in teaching and research and promotes education collaborations. The agreement includes a framework that will facilitate student and faculty mobility and joint research activities, enhance credit recognition pathways, and promote collaborations with academic programming. This agreement will serve as a foundation for future collaboration and cooperation between the two institutions. “This MOU will provide collaboration opportunities for students and faculty and strengthen relationships with global scholars,” said Royal Roads President Philip Steenkamp.

Students from Concordia University and the University of Alberta are working to send rockets and satellites into space. At Concordia, students have spent seven years working on a liquid-fueled rocket, which they will soon send into space. The mission is a collaborative effort between the students and the Cree Nation of Mistissini. Global News reports that 700 students have contributed to the project, building many parts in Concordia’s makerspace. If the launch is successful, it will be the first space launch from Canada in more than 25 years, and the first led by students. At UAlberta, students are working on the XALTA 3 earth observation satellite. This satellite will monitor climate change using a student-built imager. It will relay information about ice and snow in Canada’s north and vegetation in wildfire and post-burn areas.

In a recent article for University Business, Riipen co-founder Dana Stephenson discusses the importance of participating in work-integrated learning. Stephenson describes barriers to WIL such as a lack of time or financial reasons. Additionally, work-based learning is often treated as a peripheral activity, rather than a driver of student success. “Higher education needs to flip the script,” argues Stephenson who writes that work experience should be seen as a critical competitive advantage. The author asserts that embedding paid work experience that aligns with student career goals into the educational experience would ensure that all students graduate with real-world experience.

Algoma University’s Arthur A Wishart Library recently was transformed into a living library through an event called Human Library: Unjudge Someone. This event was hosted as a part of the university’s commitment to truth, reconciliation, and experiential learning. It brought together students, staff, faculty, Elders, and residential school survivors for a unique experience where participants (the “readers”) sat with the volunteers (the “books”) and listened to their stories. “The Human Library connects folks with history, with identity, and with our shared humanity,” said AlgomaU Library Access Services Coordinator Megan Jones-McLeod. “This event gave us the chance to sit across from each other and simply be human.”

The Canadian Press reports that a group of four unions at McGill University have accused the university of attacking free speech by threatening to suspend funding for the Quebec Public Interest Research Group at McGill. CBC reports that McGill sent a notice of default to the student-run organization, demanding it cease its support of Students for Palestine’s Honour and Resistance (SPHR). SPHR was involved in the encampment at McGill in 2024, during which time the university says SPHR “promoted intimidation, harassment, and protest activities” that resulted in damage to the campus. In an open letter, the unions asserted that “any conduct that intimidates and threatens to dismantle a vibrant, positive, student-centred campus organization is unwarranted.”

University of Manitoba Professor Oleg Pokhanovski has reportedly been charged with sexual assault and sexual exploitation in connection with allegations from 2007 to 2010. Global News states that the then-15-year-old victim received private music lessons from Pokhanovski. The victim recently spoke to police, who conducted an investigation and submitted their findings to the Manitoba Prosecution Service. The provincial service in turn authorized the charges. “We take this matter very seriously and are cooperating fully with the Winnipeg Police Service,” read a statement from UManitoba. “The accused has been placed on leave.” CBC states that Pokhanovski will not be attending campus, performing university activities, or contacting members of the institution.

Centennial College and Riipen have partnered to support the college’s goals of embedding WIL into programs and offering students a transformative educational experience. Centennial will leverage Riipen’s platform to deepen its ties to industry based in Ontario, help educators bring applied learning to the classroom, and equip learners with the skills needed to excel in the labour market. The partnership includes benefits such as expanded connections, enhanced skill development, and mentorship for students; as well as practical curriculum integration for educators. Centennial President Dr Craig Stephenson said that the partnership will help ensure that graduates will be “industry-ready, confident, experienced, and knowledgeable.”

Cégep de l’Outaouais will be expanding into the Centre Slush Puppie to meet the needs of its growing student body. The cégep recently signed a seven-year rental agreement with Vision Multisports Outaouais, the centre’s manager. Le Droit explains that physical education courses and sports activities will be transferred from the cégep’s Campus Félix-Leclerc to the Centre Slush Puppie, with the aim of optimizing campus spaces and reducing travel between campuses. Cégep de l’Outaouais directeur général Steve Brabant said that the decision to rent the space reflects the cégep’s ability to mobilize its resources to meet the needs of the student community.