August 21, 2025

Cégep de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Cégep de Sept-Îles, and Cégep de Thetford have partnered with the Institut national des mines du Québec (INMQ) to develop a specialization program for mining control room technicians. Developed by the cégeps’ Consortium des directions de la formation continue and aligned with an INMQ skills profile, the Attestation d’études collégiales is expected to be finalized by summer 2026. Deployment will follow shortly after. The training, which includes both coursework and internships, aims to expand the versatility of existing mining workers while also attracting professionals from other sectors into the industry.

Labour updates affecting several postsecondary institutions have been announced. Dalhousie University locked out faculty association members on Wednesday morning. In response, professors, librarians, and teaching staff are forming picket lines. Ontario Public Service Employees Union members recently voted to authorize a strike with the aim of “secur[ing] respect at the bargaining table” and a contract. Conciliation between the two started on Wednesday. Ontario’s Minister of Labour has issued “No Board” reports for Unifor 444 Special Constable Service and Unifor 2458 Operating Engineers. This begins a 17-day countdown to a potential strike or lockout, which would impact union members working at the University of Windsor.

In a recent article for University Business, Mark McNeilly (University of North Carolina) and Josh Jones argue that higher education must “rewrite the rules” to prepare students for careers in the age of AI. McNeilly and Jones explain that as jobs are displaced by technological advancements, even more opportunities are expected to be created. They write that students must be prepared for these careers with an understanding of the capabilities and limitations of current tools, knowledge of how these tools are changing their fields, and soft skills. The authors argue for a “warp speed” approach to implementing academic innovation. “Colleges won’t succeed by wedging AI into old structures but by fundamentally redesigning them,” write McNeilly and Jones.

Study permit processing delays are impacting over 500 of the 680 international students at the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi who plan to begin their studies this fall, reports Radio Canada. Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, Member of Parliament for the nearby Lac-Saint-Jean, stated that processing times for these permits have reached over 11 weeks. UQAC Rector Ghislain Samson said that the delays at UQAC could result in losses of up to $6M and that the situation could also jeopardize teaching programs. The processing times may also impact cégeps: Cégep de Chicoutimi director general André Gobeil explained that though the cégep plans to welcome around 80 international students this year, the number still could change if registrations are not completed.

The University of Calgary Haskayne School of Business has partnered with the Chartered Business Valuators Institute to offer a Chartered Business Valuator (CBV) course this winter. The course will introduce Bachelor of Commerce students to the skills required for a career in business valuation and will count toward the first of six levels in the CBV accreditation program. CBV Institute President Christine Sawchuk says that the course is developed by business evaluation professionals and provides a case-based hands-on approach to learning. Sawchuk added that modern tools such as AI and cryptocurrency, along with current economic uncertainty, are driving demand for CBV professionals. According to the Calgary Herald, the partnership is the only such partnership in Western Canada.

Niagara College will be launching an electric vehicle (EV) safety training pilot program thanks to a $450K pledge from RBC Foundation. The EV First Responders Training pilot program will teach students how to manage EVs in emergency situations. It is offered at no cost and is specifically designed for paramedics, firefighters, police officers, automotive technicians, and students in other related programs. Students will learn essential skills such as managing lithium-ion battery fires, immobilizing EVs, and using personal protective equipment correctly. Niagara anticipates training 2,400 students over a three-year period.

Cégep de Saint-Jérôme will be expanding and renovating its downtown pavillon F. The project will add 14 classrooms and accommodate up to 825 students. The infrastructure will help the cégep better meet the training requirements of its mechanical and composite material engineering programs. In the coming months, buildings adjacent the pavilion will be demolished to make way for the expansion while the building will undergo renovations, including the redesign of spaces to meet student needs. The cégep said that this building, which is located downtown, will bring the city and higher education together. Completion is planned for 2028.

Okanagan College has reportedly cut its Modern Languages Department and laid off staff in preparation for the upcoming semester. According to Vernon Matters, four teaching positions will be eliminated and approximately 20 other roles will be affected. The decision to lay off staff was reportedly made in response to a projected loss of 600-700 international students. The Modern Languages Department closure will mean that the college will no longer offer French and Spanish classes. Okanagan College Faculty Association President Caroline Gilchrist expressed concerns about how the closure will impact students. The faculty association also reportedly announced that in a recent vote, 175 of 211 faculty members expressed that they have no confidence in the college president’s leadership.

Colleges and universities across Canada are turning to Indigenous art to connect communities, share stories, and spark reflection. At Bow Valley College, Tsuu-T’ina artist Nathan Meguinis is creating a mural featuring a grizzly bear, seven tipis, and an eagle’s first flight—symbols of growth and kinship that parallel students’ journeys. At First Nations University of Canada, MFA student Larissa Kitchemonia (Anishnaabe-Saulteaux, The Key First Nation) showcased an installation on Saulteaux cultural preservation and language revitalization, weaving together works that reflect teachings, language, and intergenerational knowledge. Meanwhile, at the University of Manitoba, murals by artists including Jackie Traverse (Ojibway), Mike Valcourt (Métis), and Kristin Flattery (Anishinaabe-Oyate) are enriching student spaces while highlighting themes such as courage, Indigenous knowledge systems, and health and wellness.

Canadian universities are increasingly approving the use of AI tools at the institutional level, writes journalist Maan Alhmidi, who explains that institutions like McGill University, the University of Toronto, and York University have all developed policy surrounding the use of AI by students and faculty. Susan McCahan, chair of the University of Toronto’s AI task force, explained that the university wants to support faculty who choose to use AI in their courses, as well as those who do not. Despite institutional support, Alhmidi notes that concerns persist about AI replacing core learning. Brock University Assistant Professor Mohammed Estaiteyeh said that “[i]f [students] offload all the skills to the AI tools then [they are] not really acquiring significant skills throughout [their degree].”