December 6, 2024

Postsecondary institutions across Canada are recognizing the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women today as they commemorate the 35th anniversary of the École Polytechnique massacre. Polytechnique Montréal (formerly École Polytechnique) announced the 10th edition of the Order of the White Rose, which honours the victims by providing scholarships to women pursuing engineering studies. Many institutions—including Brock University, Memorial University, and Saint Mary’s University—have arranged candlelight vigils and memorial events. Several others—including Collège Ahuntsic, St Lawrence College, the University of Manitoba, and York University—encouraged community members to wear white ribbons. Mount Allison University, Thompson Rivers University, and the University of Prince Edward Island lowered their flags to half mast, while Western University installed silhouettes on campus.

Bishop’s University has officially unveiled its new Sexual Violence Support Centre. The centre responds to a Canadian Centre for Legal Innovation in Sexual Assault Response recommendation to create a sexual violence centre that is external to Health/Counselling Services. This centre will serve as a central hub on campus where Bishop’s Sexual Violence Response Advisors will engage in education and advocacy initiatives; provide confidential, trauma-informed, and survivor-centered support and resource to faculty, staff, and students; and offer tailored support to 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals.

After fleeing to Canada following the outbreak of war in the Gaza region, York University Visiting Professor Ahmed Abu Shaban has been waking up at 3 AM every morning to remotely teach his students in Gaza, reports La Presse. Abu Shaban leads the agriculture and veterinary medicine faculty at Al-Azhar University, which was destroyed by airstrikes during the ongoing conflict. Many of his students walk five kilometers to access an internet connection for their studies, sometimes risking their lives in the process, Shaban told La Presse. “I cannot give up. And neither can they,” he told the Toronto Star. “They have no other option. This is their life and they are the hope for the future.”

A recent CBC article discusses how several New Brunswick university instructors are managing AI in the classroom. Mount Allison University Purdy Crawford Teaching Centre Director Toni Roberts discussed the importance of using AI “to our advantage,” since it is “not going away.” St Thomas University Associate Professor Andrew Klein said that expectations for students may increase because lower levels of work—which may be equivalent to those produced by AI—will no longer be considered passing level work. The instructors shared strategies they use in the classroom to combat inappropriate AI use, including telling students why the tool is banned or asking students to create a class AI policy. MtA Dean of Science and Graduate Studies Jennifer Tomes noted that since AI detection software is unreliable, she creates “AI-proof assignments.”

The Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario has released the second edition of A Practical Guide for Work-integrated Learning. The guide continues to offer a framework for developing work-integrated learning (WIL) programs—touching on key topics such as theory and practice, reflection, and evaluation—and features updated content, particularly on the front of EDI. “Building on the first edition, we offer advice on improving the quality of WIL for all learners; strengthening relationships between employers, students and institutions; and moving towards meaningful recognition and integration of EDI into WIL programming,” read a statement from HEQCO.

Queen’s University’s Smith School of Business will offer a new double-degree program for Master of International Business program students. Starting in 2025, eligible Queen’s students can study at Fundação Getulio Vargas Escola de Administração de Empresas de São Paulo in Brazil. Students from both schools will have the opportunity to gain cross-cultural learning experiences, develop extended networks, and access career resources. Those who complete the program will receive degrees from both institutions. This double-degree option builds on an existing partnership between the two institutions’ business schools and is Queen’s first double degree program in South America.

Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières is launching a new graduate program focused on psychoeducation. The program will cover theories on attachment and complex psychological trauma in children, which the university says are being increasingly used to support interventions in educational and pediatric settings. This offering will help professionals develop their knowledge and become more effective in their work with children with adaptation issues. The nine-credit program will be limited to 25 seats when it launches in Fall 2025. It will be offered in alternating cycles at UQTR’s campuses in Trois-Rivières and Québec City.

Several Ontario colleges have proposed or initiated layoffs and staffing reductions amid dwindling international student numbers, reports CTV News. Georgian College states that more than 100 full-time positions have been impacted, including 23 employees who have been laid off. Georgian President Kevin Weaver stated that the college has seen a 30% decline in enrolment this year, with further drops anticipated. CBC reports that Mohawk College has begun layoffs, beginning with administrative roles related to public affairs and EDI, as well as the dean of students. Mohawk Director of Communications and Special Events Sean Coffey stated that layoffs for support staff and faculty will not occur until the new year.

The Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) has received part of the Government of Alberta’s recent $5M investment to support work that will restore historically drained wetlands. NAIT has received nearly $700K to restore 17.8 hectares of wetlands in the Municipal District of Opportunity No 17. “This provides a unique opportunity to test, develop and implement innovative and effective solutions to restore disturbed peatlands across Alberta,” explained NAIT NSERC Industrial Research Chair for Colleges in Peatland Restoration Dr Bin Xu. “This not only achieves the goal of replacing disturbed wetlands but also contributes to the advancement of reclamation science and practice in Alberta and across Canada.”

Northern College has announced that it will become a smoke free institution, starting in May 2025. The initiative will be implemented at all of the college’s campuses and access centres, with the goal of creating a healthier and safer environment for all community members. The college will create designated smoking areas off campus to accommodate smokers while ensuring that the campus stays smoke free. Northern says that this policy aligns with standards set by the province’s public colleges