August 16, 2023

Aurora College has delayed the start of its semester at all campuses and learning centres until October 3rd due to the ongoing wildfire crisis affecting multiple communities in the Northwest Territories, reports . The college is encouraging its students to delay relocation until closer to the start of classes to provide communities with the opportunity to manage the impact of the fires. The college’s communications”including telephone lines, email, and website”have also been affected by the fires, so the college is primarily reaching out to its community through social media channels such as Facebook.

Northern College is working with Centennial College to reinstate admission and enrolment for international students whose admission offers were rescinded. Centennial is offering acceptance to students who meet the requirements for an equivalent program; Northern will cover any difference in tuition costs. “Centennial is in a position to welcome a number of students who would otherwise have to cancel or delay their plans to start college in Ontario this fall,” said Centennial President Craig Stephenson. noted that 355 of the students have expressed interest in studying at Centennial and that 250 have completed their application for assessment.

Keyano College has announced measures to reduce financial barriers for Ukrainian students fleeing the Russo-Ukrainian War. Starting this academic year, students enrolled at Keyano with a valid Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel visa and study permit will pay domestic tuition rates instead of international rates. “I believe that offering Ukrainian students domestic tuition is a transformative step towards their integration and educational development,” said Keyano Manager of Enrollment Services Laura Herweck. “This program reinforces our values of solidarity and inclusion, and we hope to provide some stability during uncertain times.”

Brock University’s Professional and Continuing Studies (PCS) unit is expanding its programming to support social and economic opportunities for learners and organizations in the Niagara region. Supported by stakeholder research conducted by Academica Group and labour market research conducted internally, PCS identified a variety of programming opportunities needed in the broader community. The unit is now building a roster of qualified professionals to collaborate on the development of this programming. Brock AVP, PCS April-Dawn Blackwell says the expanded programming is “a step towards enhancing Brock’s ability to advance lifelong and life-wide learning, professional development and organizational growth for the regions we serve.”

The Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue recently announced the creation of two new schools dedicated respectively to art therapy and psychoeducation. The École d’art-thérapie will be headed by UQAT Professeure Sophie Boudrias. The school will strengthen recognition for the art therapy profession as it pursues its mission to create, mobilize, and transmit knowledge and skills to its community of students as they work toward qualifying for the professional practice. The École de psychoéducation will be led by UQAT Professeur Alexandre Beaulieu. The school will raise awareness and advance the development of the field of psychoeducation. The establishment of this school will also enable UQAT to forge more direct partnerships in the field.

Queen’s University and Kinectrics Inc have signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to drive technological advancement in the nuclear energy sector. Together, Queen’s and Kinectrics will identify areas for research collaboration, student learning, and talent development. They will also explore opportunities for student exchanges, co-op placements, and scholarships. The MOU will leverage Queen’s research expertise in nuclear materials as well as its Reactor Materials Testing Laboratory, with the aim of fostering growth in Canada’s nuclear industry. Queen’s Professor in Mechanical and Materials Engineering Mark Daymond said that Canada’s nuclear industry will play a major role in decarbonization. “This MOU represents the beginning of a new chapter, and I look forward to seeing where it will take us,” said Daymond.

In an editorial, Jenny Dixon argues that human values–such as compassion and emotional intelligence–must be maintained to navigate the tidal wave of new technologies overtaking postsecondary education. Dixon writes that the influx of generative AI platforms in particular has provided valuable indicators of where current teaching and learning methods are coming up short. She argues that the age of AI can be seen as an opportunity to co-create “a new educational future” with students, using generative AI and other new technologies “as a positive force.” Dixon concludes that this can be done by ensuring that co-creation, connection, and knowledge sharing is integrated into the heart of the postsecondary response to AI.

Thompson Rivers University has announced that its Kamloops campus will house the new location for the Kamloops Innovation Centre (KIC). KIC, a non-profit that supports entrepreneurial-minded businesses and entrepreneurs, has been in its North Shore location since 2012. The new KIC location will be a short walk away from the TRU Generator, an accelerator operated by both TRU and KIC. “Our community of students, faculty, staff and alumni will benefit even more greatly with Kamloops Innovation being located on the Kamloops campus,” said TRU Bob Gaglardi School of Business and Economics Dean Mike Henry. “The move strengthens our partnership with Kamloops Innovation and ultimately brings more support and resources to our campus community.”

The Ontario’s Coroner’s Office will hold an inquest into the death of Absar Chaudhry, an officer cadet who passed away in November while studying at the Royal Military College. Chaudhry’s family requested a discretionary inquest after being told in the spring that his death was a suicide. The sources explain that a discretionary inquest would enable the family to participate in the process and would provide the public with an “open and full hearing of the circumstances of a death.” A joint statement issued by the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces said that they “welcome any additional review that would aid in finding the causes” of Chaudhry’s death. The Globe reports that the coroner’s inquest will increase scrutiny of RMC at a time when there are discussions about the college’s future.

In a new study , a group of researchers from the University of Newcastle explored the impact of gender-based violence on students’ experiences of higher education. Drawing on a survey and in-depth interviews with students who experienced gender-based violence, the researchers found that gender-based violence can have “profound and ongoing impacts” on students’ experience of and participation in higher education. They also found that feelings of not belonging and shame, the sector’s “silencing” of gender-based violence, and institutional misrecognition made it difficult for students to communicate their experiences and get help. The authors conclude by noting that it is crucial to understand and recognize the complex impact of gender-based violence on the student experience as part of a broader commitment to gender equity.