August 7, 2026

A consortium led by the University of Calgary will receive $20.3M over two years from the Government of Canada for the Quantum Defence Innovation Secure Hub (DISH). This investment will fund the Quantum DISH’s establishment and operation in Calgary. It will bring together quantum, defence, and innovation sector organizations to accelerate the transition of Canadian quantum technologies into capabilities that support the nation’s defence and security. “The Quantum DISH is the next step in this journey of discovery that will build upon UCalgary’s strength in quantum computing, sensing, and communications,” said UCalgary President Dr Edward McCauley. “The consortium of post-secondary and industry partners that will innovate in this new facility is truly world class.”

The federally-owned National Microbiology Lab will be expanding with the construction of a $267M medical countermeasures lab. This lab will have Level 2 and Level 3-rated facilities and a Level 4-rated microbiology lab. The facility will enable researchers to bridge gaps experienced when testing vaccines and therapeutics. University of Manitoba Professor Dr Keith Fowke explained that researchers at Canadian universities are working to develop vaccines, but face challenges testing them on animals because of limited capacity for products used in testing. “I think this is a fantastic opportunity for industry and academia across Canada to be able to develop products and get them to a point where they can be tested at the highest level,” said Fowke.

A report commissioned by the Government of Canada has found “widespread and persistent” antisemitism on Canada’s postsecondary campuses. The Campus Antisemitism and Student Experiences report describes the results of a survey of 900 Jewish students from across Canada. The results showed that 96% of respondents had experienced or witnessed antisemitism in the past year, and 70% said their institution does not take antisemitism seriously. Jewish students indicated that 51% of perpetrators of antisemitism were other students and 25% were staff or faculty. A joint statement by the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, B’nai Brith Canada and the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center called on university leaders and governments to act based on the report.

Dalhousie University’s Beaty Centre for Marine Biodiversity has a new attraction: Oscar, a rare half-orange lobster. Oscar was trapped by a fisherman in South Shore who recognized how rare he was and contacted Dal to see if they would take him. Since arriving at Dal, Oscar has been a favourite who has attracted visitors to the aquarium and research facility. “He is so rare, it is one in 50 million, and he is the second-rarest lobster in the world,” said Beaty Centre Visitor Experience Facilitator Nadia Stewart, who explained that the lobster has two genetic information sets. Stewart said that the fisherman’s choice to donate Oscar was potentially life-saving because lobsters with “standout colours” often are predated upon quickly in the wild.

In University Affairs’ most recent Prof vs Prof articles, two professors discuss EDI. Malinda S Smith (University of Calgary) describes how biases affect opportunities, which impact every step of an applicant’s journey. Hiring conventions sometimes favour sameness under the guise of seeking excellence, and equity can strengthen excellence by making institutional judgements more rigorous, argues the author. Yves Gingras (Université du Québec à Montréal) argues that “diversity” is an intentionally ambiguous term; “inclusion” is misleading since universities exclude those who do not meet certain standards; and “equity” may slip to “parity,” which may create its own inequity. Gingras argues that the best way to increase access to university is to address inequalities before students reach postsecondary.

Orillia’s city council met this week to discuss the proposed sale of approximately 25 acres of Lakehead University land for the planned Orillia Soldiers Memorial Hospital (OSMH). In a letter to the council, Lakehead President Dr Gillian Siddall requested an unconditional sale of the land, with Lakehead keeping the proceeds for a new academic building. Orillia Mayor Don McIsaac responded in an open letter, asking the university to agree to a conditional sale for $1, after which the city would commit to $15M in funding for a new academic building at Lakehead. McIsaac’s motion was defeated, and a new motion was adopted asking Lakehead and OSMH to change and resubmit their obligations, including Lakehead formally committing to using the money to fund a new building.

The Université du Québec à Montréal has been entrusted with the archives of novelist and UQAM alumna Madeleine Monette. The archives contain manuscripts of works-in-progress, lecture texts, personal correspondences, and photographs. Cédric Champagne, UQAM directeur du Service des archives et de la gestion de l’information, called the donation a gesture of generosity and trust, saying that the items will enrich the library’s fonds. Champagne also explained that the works would be available to researchers, educators, and students.

A Superior Court of Quebec judge is allowing a class-action lawsuit brought by a group of Jewish students against McGill University to proceed. The lawsuit alleges that the university failed to take action to protect Jewish students from discrimination following the events of October 7, 2023. The suit is seeking $5M in compensation which would be given to Jewish students attending the university since October 8, 2023, as well as a reimbursement of one-third of eligible students’ fees. In a statement to CTV News, McGill said that the university “unequivocally denounces all forms of antisemitism and anti-Jewish hatred and reaffirms its dedication to preventing and combating such discrimination.”

In an Inside Higher Ed article, Alex Chin (University of Michigan) provides tips for those transferring between PhD programs. Chin begins by emphasizing that one should be able to articulate their reason for transferring in a clear and succinct manner. Following this, he suggests establishing relationships with supportive faculty. In the application process, he urges applicants to not make transferring the primary focus of their applications, but provide interests, program fit, and goals as with a traditional application. Mentioning one’s previous experience is important, he says, but applicants should be open to exploring new areas. When accepted, Chin reminds applicants to remain respectful to those at their current institution, remaining cordial despite any negative feelings.

Simon Fraser University’s Stephens Family School of Medicine has reached a milestone, welcoming its first class. The school of medicine will offer a three-year, year-round program that will graduate students a year earlier than traditional programs. Students will begin learning in an interim learning space, with the school’s permanent location anticipated to be complete in 2030. Students will participate in caring for patients at community clinics, primary-care settings, and hospitals, and will work in a primary care clinic at the school’s permanent home in the future.