August 29, 2025

Simon Fraser University’s iViz research lab has developed a 3D AI avatar named Kia that will appear alongside Professor Steve DiPaola in his course on the ethics, potential, and principles of AI technologies this fall. DiPaola, who leads the iViz lab, plans to engage in live discussions and debates with Kia to provoke thought among students. He emphasized that Kia is not intended to replace instructors, but rather to serve as “a conversational partner and a subject of our inquiry.” DiPaola discussed the reasoning behind the move: “I want to ‘anthropomorphize’ AI by bringing in this talking, emotive 3D character because students see so much of this on social media, and I want to expose AI for what it is and what it isn’t.”

St Francis Xavier University has received over $1.36M from the Government of Canada’s Search and Rescue New Initiatives Fund for a three-year project focused on improving ground search and rescue efforts in Canada’s Arctic. The project will be led by StFX Professor Peter Kikkert and will involve researchers from Dalhousie University and Memorial University, as well as search and rescue responders from Nunavut and the Nunavik region. Together, the team will find ways to address common challenges faced by rescuers. The funding will also provide research experiences for undergraduate students, who will contribute by organizing and facilitating roundtable discussions with rescuers.

McGill University has launched the Nkabom Collaborative, a 10-year partnership with seven Ghanaian institutions and the Mastercard Foundation that aims to reimagine food systems, empower Ghanaian youth, and build inclusive and sustainable communities. Nkabom means “togetherness” in Akan, a language spoken in Ghana. The initiative will focus on education, entrepreneurial opportunities, scholarships, and mentorship, with experiential learning at its centre. By the end of the 10-year period, the initiative is expected to have created 30 new or improved academic programs, 5,000 bursaries, 3,000 youth-led agri-food ventures, and 9,000 new jobs.

Northlands College will provide free student housing to eligible students at its Creighton and Buffalo Narrows campuses in the upcoming programming year. This housing will be offered to Northlands students who are from the region, enrolled in programming at the related campus, and meet attendance requirements throughout their studies. This initiative aims to make education more accessible by addressing financial barriers. “Providing free housing at two of our campuses demonstrates our commitment to student success and community access to education,” said Northlands President Michael McCormick. “We want students to feel supported in every aspect of their educational journey.”

Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Langara College, and Vancouver Community College have each announced adjustments to their staffing numbers and initiatives in response to the ongoing impact of the international student cap. The Vancouver Sun reports that KPU is expecting a nearly 60% decrease in international student headcount compared to two years ago and, by extension, a $5M-10M drop in revenue for 2025-26. Similarly, City News says that Langara College’s international student population is down by 2,400 compared to last year. VCC Faculty Association President Frank Cosco stated that about 30 employees are expected to receive layoff notices due to the decline in students and called on the Government of British Columbia to dedicate funds to the sector.

Brock University and Dublin City University in Ireland have signed a new agreement allowing students from any Brock faculty to study at Dublin City University—and vice versa. The success of Brock’s Goodman School of Business dual degree program with the Irish university—which started in 2015 and was renewed in 2023—was cited as a major contributor to the expansion of the agreement. Brock’s Manager of International Learning Programs Rox Chwaluk said that the exchange will provide students with a “vibrant cultural experience.”

College of the North Atlantic has achieved ISO 21384-3 certification for commercial unmanned aircraft system operations. The certification recognizes that CNA meets the relevant operational planning, risk management, airspace safety, maintenance protocols, and pilot competency requirements. As a certified institution, CNA gains several advantages, including smoother approvals from aviation authorities and lowered liability. “[This certification] validates the work we’ve been doing to ensure our drone operations are safe, well-documented, and aligned with international best practices,” said CNA Reality Capture and Digitization Technology Access Centre Director Heather Ward.

The University of Toronto Oak House campus residence was forced to delay its move-in dates due to “last minute construction delays,” reports CBC. The final inspection of the residence revealed the need for more work on the building, which is expected to host more than 500 students when it opens. “We regret that our newest residence is not yet ready and understand the timing brings disappointment, frustration and added stress. We made every effort to have everything ready,” said U of T Executive Director of Student Housing and Residence Experience Janice Johnston. Students who were unable to delay their arrival to Toronto have been provided with temporary accommodations and a $500 credit.

The Cégep de Lanaudière à Joliette and PAX Habitat have launched a new project to create student housing on two floors of the nearby Benedictine nun monastery. The project is part of a larger initiative to create an intergenerational community between the elderly residents of PAX Habitat, students, and the members of the two religious orders that operate the facility. The facility will include 27 student housing units of various sizes with a common kitchen and study rooms. PAX Habitat Managing Director Isabelle Comiré said that the housing will allow older residents to pass their knowledge and traditions down to students while meeting the needs of the student population in Joliette.

The 2025 Canada Games—which ended on Sunday—saw youth athletes from across Canada showcasing their skills through sporting events hosted primarily on Memorial University’s campus. Vancouver Community College CEO Ajay Patel was inducted into the Hall of Honour – Class of 2025 for his work across more than 20 years in the world of sports and institutions like Brock University celebrated the accomplishments of members of their community. Canada Games CEO Karen Sherriffs told CBC that despite wildfires and Air Canada job action, organizers were able to successfully adapt to the changing situation. The 2027 Canada Games will take place in Quebec City.