August 14, 2025

The Government of Canada has announced a $45.7M investment into projects across Canada that are focused on building and mobilizing wildfire knowledge. Federal Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience Eleanor Olszewski explained that the investment is part of the government’s “broader plan to strengthen how the country prepares for and responds to disasters” through building knowledge about wildfires, improving assessment and risk reduction practices, and supporting Indigenous-led efforts to restore cultural fire practices. Several postsecondary institutions have received funding through this investment: Université Laval, the University of British Columbia, the University of Toronto, the University of Victoria, and York University.

The University of Windsor has joined the Canadian Military, Veteran and Family Connected Campus Consortium. As a member, UWindsor will offer enhanced student services to help military-connected students navigate challenges and transitions such as relocations, shifts in academic expectations, and the emotional impacts of being in the military. UWindsor FAHSS Recruitment and Outreach Coordinator Sheri Lowrie said that this will help more students to attain an education. “We need our university to thrive, and we need people to want to have education,” said Lowrie. “It’s the best tool you can have.”

The University of Saskatchewan’s Global Institute for Food Security has received $1.6M from the Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) as part of a broader investment into agricultural projects in Saskatchewan. The university will use the funds to develop a genomic selection-based accelerated breeding program, which Western Producer explains will advance breeding capabilities for livestock and crops in order to increase yield and quality and bring products to market more quickly. “By building a robust accelerated breeding program, we aim to further enhance the inroads we’ve made in this growing field,” said USask VP Research Baljit Singh.

The Université du Québec à Montreal has launched the new UNESCO Chair on Sport for Development, Peace, and Environment (SDPE). As UQAM’s seventh UNESCO Chair, its core objectives include expanding access to sport for girls and individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, promoting active and healthy lifestyles, encouraging environmentally sustainable sport practices, and documenting initiatives that foster peace and social cohesion through sport. Supported by a seven-member leadership team and 20 researchers from around the world, the Chair will use podcasts and videos to share knowledge with audiences across both the Global North and South.

The University of Guelph-Humber has announced the new name of its community social services program: Social Services and Well-Being Studies. UoGuelph-Humber says that the refreshed name puts “social services” at the forefront and demonstrates the university’s commitment to graduating individuals who will promote well-being. The name was chosen to help align the program with the sector, clarify its focus, and support broader career pathways. When the name change takes effect in 2026, graduates will continue to earn the same credentials from the University of Guelph and Humber Polytechnic and the program will continue to be recognized by the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers.

Yukon University and the House of Wolf & Associates have partnered to launch the Community Safety Guardian Training Program. Learners in the program will develop their skills and earn certifications in areas such as trauma-informed care, mental health first aid, legal literacy, and service navigation. When they enter the workforce, the guardians will focus on assisting people through healing, wellness, and connection instead of enforcement or punishment. “This program empowers communities to take safety into their own hands in a way that builds trust, prevents harm, and strengthens cultural connection,” said House of Wolf & Associates CEO Gina Nagano.

The Institut de la statistique du Québec has released a report showing that Québec leads the country in the proportion of graduates working in jobs closely related to their field of study. Based on Statistics Canada data tracking the class of 2020 three years after graduation, the report finds that QC outpaces other provinces and territories with 73% of college and 68% of bachelor’s level graduates now employed in field-relevant roles, respectively. Graduates in QC also reported the highest levels of salary and overall job satisfaction nationwide. Notably, 78% said they would choose the same field of study again if given the chance.

A recent AI framework published by the Center for Innovation, Design, and Digital Learning includes four recommendations for implementing AI at all levels of education, reports Rhea Kelly of Campus Technology. The first recommendation advises taking a transparent, human-centred approach that prioritizes educator judgement, student relationships, and family input. It encourages schools to establish dedicated task forces to conduct audits and risk analyses before adopting any AI tools, as well as the creation of an ongoing review and improvement process that includes professional learning and community development opportunities. The framework also recommends ensuring the use of AI to improve accessibility for students, while safeguarding against misjudgement by prohibiting AI tools from making key decisions on student progress, accommodations, or disciplinary actions.

St Lawrence College has launched an accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program, which will be delivered at all three campuses. Through this program, students will be able to complete a BScN in three and a half years. By drawing on advanced VR software, the program will offer students the opportunity to practice their skills in interactive learning environments without any risks to patients. “We are excited to offer virtual reality in this enhanced curriculum to provide students with an immersive experience to hone their skills,” said SLC School of Nursing Associate Dean Laralea Stalkie.

Historians need to tell “a better narrative about the relevance of our discipline” in order to rebuild the field’s brand and combat falling enrolments, writes Patryk J Babiracki (University of Texas at Arlington). Despite parent and student concerns about the outcomes of a history degree, Babiracki asserts that history graduates have the skills that today’s employers want: analytical thinking, problem-solving, curiosity, communication, and the ability to continually learn. The author provides several tips for building a stronger history “brand,” including telling stories about history graduates working outside of academia, promoting the importance of historically-informed thinking, and framing historians as expert researchers who can find and make sense of information. The author concludes by encouraging historians to engage the private sector, which broadens the discipline’s reach.