December 11, 2025

Lakehead University has officially started construction on its new Barrie STEM Hub. In a recent interview, Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall explained that the hub will focus on STEM areas that “are going to be really important inside of the advanced manufacturing field, AI, and all the new jobs that are coming.” Lakehead President Gillian Siddall explained that the campus is cost-neutral to the university as it is being funded by the City of Barrie, “which is quite an innovative approach [to] postsecondary education.” Northern Ontario Business reports that the hub has received a nearly $20M commitment from the City of Barrie. The hub is expected to open in Fall 2026.

A recent StatCan study of Canadian college financial information found that, in 2023/24, colleges reported the largest increase in total revenue (+11.5%) and expenditure (+12.3%) in more than twenty years. The study authors noted that one of the key drivers of the revenue increase was the increase in income from fees, due to high international enrolment. StatCan’s report also said that colleges were increasingly relying on fees as a source of revenue, with the proportion rising from 32.9% of total revenue in 2020/21 to 42.1% in 2023/24. While colleges received a 2.1% increase in public funding in 2023/24—the largest in a decade—the share of public funding in total revenue dropped from 58.5% in 2020/2021 to 46.0% in 2023/24. Investment returns were also positive, increasing by 65.8% relative to the previous year.

The University of Manitoba has joined the Digital Governance Council, a national organization that brings together public, private, academic, and not-for-profit sector leaders to collaborate on solutions to digital priorities. The council is focused on Canada’s urgent digital priorities such as data sovereignty and innovation and talent development. “The digital landscape is moving quickly and we know if we provide key tools and information to faculty, staff, and students, we can meet this moment in an innovative and responsible way,” said UManitoba Vice-Provost, Learning, Analytics, and Academic Infrastructure Mark Torchia.

Cégep de Lanaudière, Dalhousie University, and Selkirk College have all announced the launch of new programs this week. Cégep de Lanaudière’s continuing education department is now offering a 21-week AEC in personal property damage insurance that will prepare students to work at insurance companies and brokerages. Meanwhile, Dal has launched a Certificate in Spanish Language and Culture that can be taken in either a concurrent or stand-alone format. The credential opens doors to global opportunities and enhances academic profiles, according to program coordinator Magali Dam-Mazzi. Finally, Selkirk launched two programs. The 8-month Associate Certificate in Entrepreneurship helps students turn an idea into a business, while the Tourism and Destination Management Program will equip students to be leaders in the tourism sector.

In a recent article for the Chronicle of Higher Ed, Kevin R McClure discusses methods for motivating faculty during demotivating times. McClure writes that changes such as AI and funding cuts mean that faculty who are hired today face more challenges than those hired years ago. With this in mind, the author argues that administrators must take steps to intentionally support faculty motivation. The author encourages administrators to take step such as writing compelling messages about the institution’s purpose that are tailored to the faculty, fostering faculty creativity by not requiring every activity to be documented, ensuring that faculty members are connected to their departments, and offering additional pay for work that goes beyond typical tasks.

Laurentian University and Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig have formalized their partnership with an agreement that affirms their shared commitment to Indigenous-led education, reconciliation, and the revitalization of Anishinaabe Knowledge. The partners have committed to co-creating educational opportunities, supporting student success, and upholding Indigenous sovereignty. SKG adds that one of the key aspects of the partnership is ongoing collaboration on the Preservation Project related to the Huron-Robinson Treaty settlement. “Together, we are committed to making these important historical documents from this landmark court case accessible to all,” said SKG President Mary Wabano-McKay. “This work preserves invaluable oral histories—sacred knowledge that must never be lost or forgotten.”

Simon Fraser University has celebrated the grand opening of its WearTech Labs, the final lab within its Core Facilities. WearTech Labs provides research and development services for wearable technologies such as smart watches, prosthetics, and technical clothing. It offers a single integrated ecosystem where wearables can go through the complete prototyping-to-validation development loop, leveraging the labs’ cutting-edge systems and environmental chambers. Industry and research partners will be able to access the facility to develop their technologies and put them on the market faster.

Aspiring teachers at the Université du Québec à Montréal recently participated in a pilot test of a revised version of the Test de certification en français écrit pour l’enseignement (TECFÉE), an exam certifying the French language skills of future teachers. Noted for its high failure rate, the test has been updated to better reflect professional tasks a teacher may face, according to UQAM coordonnatrice du Centre d’aide en français écrit et oral Laurie Martin. The development of the exam was informed by a committee of experts in didactics and evaluation, which made several recommendations to QC’s Ministère de l’Éducation surrounding the test. It will continue to undergo testing, with the ministry hoping to implement the revised version in Fall 2026.

Two institutions have announced that they are offering early departure packages to staff and faculty. Mohawk College is reportedly offering buyout packages to full-time permanent staff across the administrative, faculty, and support staff groups. CHCH reports that the college’s 2025–26 budget is balanced and that no further large-scale layoffs are expected. Meanwhile, in British Columbia, Castanet reports that Okanagan College has launched an early retirement incentive program. “Understanding where there are opportunities to reduce positions through voluntary departures, such as retirements, is an important step as the College reviews all portfolios and departments in our annual resource planning process,” explained Okanagan Associate Director of College Relations Kevin Parnell.

Humber Polytechnic and Mount Saint Vincent University are each celebrating the accreditation of programs this week. Humber shared that its Project Coordinator for Construction micro-credential has received Gold Seal-accreditation from the Canadian Construction Association. The first Gold Seal-accredited program at Humber, the micro-credential is currently offered as corporate training, with open enrolment planned for 2026. At MSVU, the Canadian Society for Chemistry (CSC) has renewed accreditation for MSVU’s Bachelor of Science Major in Chemistry and Chemistry Joint Honours programs. According to the CSC, accreditation certifies that the programs prepare competent scientific professionals.