December 11, 2024

The Government of Canada is investing $14.6M in 35 new projects that focus on road safety, several of which will be led by postsecondary institutions. This funding will be distributed through the Enhanced Road Safety Transfer Payment Program to projects that cover topics including distracted and aggressive driving; the design, testing, and integration of Connected and Automated Vehicles; and education and training related to Advanced Driver Assistance Systems technologies. The postsecondary institutions receiving funding include Carleton University, McMaster University, the University of British Columbia, the University of Toronto, and the University of Waterloo.

In interviews with CBC, several Canadian postsecondary leaders shared that they feel that the declining applications from international students–as a result of the federal cuts to international student permits–could have significant implications for domestic students. Colleges and Institutes Canada President Pari Johnston told CBC that college applications have declined by 54%, which has concerning implications for program viability. “There aren’t always enough Canadian students to fill a program, particularly those higher-cost programs in the trades [and] health care,” said Johnston. Western University President Alan Shepard added that domestic students will lose the opportunity to meet and learn alongside students “from different economic systems, different religious systems, different races from all over the world.”

Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) has released its World University Rankings: Sustainability 2025. Featuring 1,740 universities from around the world, the rankings seek to measure postsecondary institutions’ capacity to tackle environmental, social, and governance-related challenges. The University of Toronto is the top ranked university in the world for the second year in a row. Other Canadian institutions making the top 100 include the University of British Columbia (tied for #5), McGill University (tied for #15), Western University (tied for #30), the University of Alberta (#58), the University of Waterloo (#60), Université de Montréal (#65), the University of Ottawa (#90), McMaster University (tied for #93), Queen’s University (tied for #93), and the University of Calgary (#100).

Business in Vancouver reports that Thompson Rivers University is cutting $20M to balance next year’s budget, citing declining international enrolment. Measures include the elimination of up to 75 vacant positions, a 1% reduction in non-salary expenses, and additional “metric-based and other targeted non-compensation reductions.” The university also expects to save money with lower agent commissions and reduced sessional and instructor teaching loads. While TRU currently has a surplus, TRU Provost Gillian Balfour explained that these funds are “allocated to address the need to build up a reserve” and support new initiatives and strategies. Castanet reports that three certificate programs from TRU’s School of Nursing have also been suspended due to low enrolment.

Memorial University has finalized an organizational review of its UK-based Harlow Campus. The review assessed the campus’s finances, enrolments, occupancy rates, programs, cost structures, and more to examine possible pathways for sustainability and growth. Memorial’s Board of Regents approved the report’s recommendations, allowing the campus three years to attain financial sustainability by reducing expenses and adding revenue streams. “The report is good news for Harlow Campus and for Memorial,” said Memorial Board of Regents Chair Justin Ladha. “It means we have a timeframe for a sustainable path forward for the campus in a way that serves all those who have a vested interest in Harlow while ensuring appropriate stewardship of the resources entrusted to Memorial.”

As AI companies pursue artificial general intelligence (AGI), they must collaborate with academia to ensure the best and safest results, argues a recent editorial from Nature. The editors discuss the developmental trajectory of AI and point to several examples of how teams at postsecondary institutions, including at the Université de Montréal, are exploring critical questions that are pertinent to AGI. The article concludes by calling for collaboration between academia, AI companies, government, and research funders, asserting that “humanity needs to bring all knowledge to bear so that applications of AI research are robust and its risks are mitigated as much as possible.”

Trent University has established new pathway agreements with Fanshawe College and Georgian College. Fanshawe students in the General Arts and Science Certificate or Diploma programs, as well as Georgian learners in the General Arts & Science – Liberal Studies Foundation Certificate or Diploma programs, can now transfer select credits toward a Trent Bachelor of Arts degree. Alongside the pathways developed with St Clair College, these new agreements bring the total number of standardized college-to-university pathways between Trent and Ontario colleges to 214. “These new agreements make the process of transferring credits as simple as possible for students and ensure they get a head start on their degree and maintain momentum towards their career,” said Trent Durham GTA Head Dr Scott Henderson.

The Tyee reports that Langara College is considering a major restructuring in response to decreases in international enrolment. Outlined in a presentation received by The Tyee, the suggested reorganization would see Langara’s nearly 40 academic departments operate under five centres of excellence. A separate school of foundational studies would offer associate’s degrees in science, arts, and interdisciplinary studies. The college also proposed addressing the loss of tuition funds by developing partnerships with industry, governments, and philanthropic organizations. Langara Faculty Association President Pauline Greaves expressed concern with the restructuring’s potential impact on faculty and work hours.

The University of Waterloo has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Indian university UPES to foster global learning opportunities. As part of this agreement, UWaterloo will use the flexible learning solutions offered by WatSPEED–the university’s professional and executive education branch–together with UPES’s reach in India to offer upskilling and reskilling initiatives. The partners will also establish Master’s progression pathways, allowing qualified UPES students to enroll in select UWaterloo programs. “Our collaboration with UPES to deliver professional and executive education will equip learners with the skills and adaptability required in the dynamic Indian economy,” said UWaterloo President Vivek Goel.

The Government of Québec’s Institut national des mines has launched a new campaign to raise awareness about training and study opportunities for those interested in pursuing a mining career. Titled “Le secteur minier: un monde à explorer,” the campaign introduces a new digital platform that highlights vocational, college, and university programs related to the mining industry. It brings attention to three programs available in the province: the DEP in construction machinery mechanics, offered by 15 training centres; the DEC in mineral technology, available at Cégep de l’Abitibi-Témiscamingue, Cégep de Sept-Îles, and Cégep de Thetford; and the bachelor’s degree in mining engineering, provided by McGill University, Polytechnique Montréal, Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue, and Université Laval.