December 18, 2023

Five Liberal Members of Parliament—Anthony Housefather, David Lametti, Ben Carr, Marco Mendicino, and Anna Gainey—have written an open letter calling on the presidents of 25 Canadian universities to clarify how they are addressing antisemitism on campus. The letter references the recent actions of three university presidents in the United States and reports of antisemitism on Canadian campuses. The MPs included five questions in the letter—including questions about the university code of conduct and measures being taken to protect Jewish students, faculty, and staff on campus—and asked presidents to submit their responses by January 20th. City News reports that the university presidents’ responses will be provided to a parliamentary committee.

The University of King’s College has received a $1M gift from the family foundation of the university’s Chancellor Debra Deane Little and her husband Bob Little. The funds will support the institution’s planning process for the construction of a new residence building that will double its residence capacity. With these funds, U of King’s College will hire a design team for a building that will include 287 residence spaces, a wellness centre and new gym, and a space for the journalism school. U of King’s College President Bill Lahey said that the new residence will enable the institution to increase enrolment.

Trent University has officially opened the Trent University Durham GTA’s Advanced Learning Centre (ALC) in downtown Oshawa. The ALC currently houses postgraduate certificates, and the university plans to introduce additional graduate and undergraduate programming to the centre in the future. “Our ongoing commitment to small class sizes, access to professors, supports inside and outside the classroom, and a vibrant learning community, is all housed in a new, modern building representing Trent’s continued growth within the Region with the goal of serving more students,” said Trent Dean Dr Scott Henderson.

Holland College and the University of Prince Edward Island joined other community members to celebrate the unveiling of the plans for Cleantech Park. One of the buildings in the park, the Cleantech Innovation Centre (CIC), will house Cleantech Academy. This academy is a joint initiative between UPEI and Holland College where students and industry can collaborate on environmental solutions. The Academy’s inaugural program will be a postgraduate certificate in Sustainable Business Leadership where students will gain the knowledge, essential skills, and experience they need to lead institutions to sustainable practices. Construction on the CIC building will begin in 2024.

In an article for The Conversation, Alana Westwood (Dalhousie University), Manjulika E Robertson (Dal), Samantha M Chu (Dal), and Nada Salem discuss environmental scientists’ experiences with interference. The authors explain that interference—refers to intentional, unfair restrictions on a scientist’s ability conduct their work—can affect a researcher’s mental health and career satisfaction and disrupt the flow of information to support decision-making and policies. In a survey conducted by the authors, 92% of Canadian environmental researchers said that they had experienced interference. The survey additionally found that researchers who already experienced marginalization faced worse outcomes. To overcome this interference, the authors advise employer institutions to implement and uphold scientific integrity policies and create better supports for early career researchers and those from marginalized backgrounds.

Loyalist College has launched a new Medical Radiation Technology program. The Advanced Diploma program takes place over two years, allowing students to fast-track their training and enter the workforce sooner. Students will gain expertise in technical imaging and patient care through a combination of classroom learning, lab work, and placements in a variety of health care settings. “The introduction of the Medical Radiation Technology program is a strategic and direct response to health care needs identified by our community, notably our partners at Quinte Health and through Health PULSE,” said Loyalist President Mark Kirkpatrick. Loyalist is set to welcome its first cohort of students in Fall 2024.

Olds College of Agriculture and Technology has unveiled a new Indoor Agriculture Certificate program. This four-month program is designed to meet the demand for skilled professionals in the controlled environment agriculture sector, equipping students with the knowledge and hands-on experiences in plant production techniques, modern technologies, and business practices that are crucial for the field. Students will take a combination of on-campus and online courses and can embark on an optional field placement at the end of their studies. Olds will welcome its inaugural cohort in Fall 2024.

The University of Waterloo and the Long Point Biosphere have signed a letter of intent to foster research and education opportunities in sustainability, conservation, and biodiversity. Under this agreement, they will develop university courses that feature experiential learning at the biosphere, explore research projects on issues such as road ecology, and provide high school students in Norfolk County with information about related courses at UWaterloo. “The Long Point Biosphere has nationally important concentrations of biodiversity, high levels of species at risk, and an exceptional agro-ecosystem,” said UWaterloo Professor Derek Armitage. “The partnership […] aligns with our commitment to community-engaged and applied research to help address pressing biodiversity, climate and water challenges.”

The Canadian Reconciliation Barometer has released its second year of results, showcasing how attitudes on reconciliation have evolved over the 2021-2022 period. The barometer measures 13 indicators of progress pertaining to reconciliation by surveying Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians. It is led by researchers from the University of Manitoba, the University of Victoria, Toronto Metropolitan University, Probe Research Inc and the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation. The report suggests that in 2022, more respondents were aware of Residential Schools and their harms than in 2021. Non-Indigenous respondents’ views also became slightly more aligned with Indigenous respondents’ views over this time period, especially in the areas of reconciling with nature. With these improvements in mind, the report concludes that there is still “a lot of work ahead of us.”

University of Niagara Falls Canada has signed a partnership agreement with Saba University School of Medicine and the Medical University of the Americas to create a pathway for students to continue to medical school. The UNFC Honours Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences program will feature a pre-med pathway option that enables eligible students to be granted direct entry into the second year of a Medical Degree program at either Saba University School of Medicine or the Medical University of the Americas. Those who complete their medical education at these schools will be able to practice medicine in Canada or the United States.