December 9, 2024

The Government of Canada recently announced the Canadian Sovereign AI Compute Strategy, pledging up to $2B to enhance the country’s AI compute capacity. As part of this investment, up to $700M will be allocated to projects from academia, industry, and the private sector to build Canadian AI data centres. Priority will be given to projects that demonstrate significant public investment returns and sustainability. “[B]y increasing access to domestic and secure compute capacity, we will help businesses, innovators and researchers boost the Canadian economy and stand out on the world stage,” said Canada Minister of Innovation, Science, and Industry François-Philippe Champagne.

Research Info$ource has released the Canada’s Innovation Leaders 2024 rankings, which include the Canada’s Top 50 Research Colleges and Canada’s Top 50 Research Universities publications. These rankings evaluated institutions by factors such as their research income and spending. The top ranked institutions among colleges were Niagara College (#1), Lambton College (#2), Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (#3), Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (#4), and Humber Polytechnic (#5). The top ranked institutions among universities were the University of Toronto (#1), the University of British Columbia (#2), Université de Montréal (#3), McGill University (#4), and the University of Alberta (#5).

McGill University Libraries, Concordia University Library, and eConcordia recently co-launched GenAI Quickstart: Foundations for Faculty. This series of micromodules–which are about ten minutes each–introduces faculty members to the fundamentals of AI; its uses in teaching, learning, and research; and topics in responsible AI use, privacy, and security. The micromodules were designed to spark discussions about generative AI among postsecondary faculty and provide a space for them to experiment with emerging tools. The micromodules are also freely available to other institutions under a CC BY license. This project was supported by funding from the Government of Québec.

The Rideau Hall Foundation and Universities Canada have announced the winners of $6.2M in program funding through the 2025 Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarships (QES) program. This funding will support international collaborative projects that are based at 22 Canadian universities and colleges and that focus on adaptation, response, and resilience to climate change. These projects will provide opportunities for Canadian students to engage in international study, research, or internships, while also offering support for incoming international students. “We are proud to announce this new group of projects under the QES program, giving more students the opportunity to deepen their understanding of global issues and grow into strong, community leaders,” said Universities Canada President Gabriel Miller.

Student Housing Nova Scotia has proposed a plan to address the shortage of affordable off-campus student housing in the province. The organization hopes to raise capital for a Developing Affordable Student Housing Fund by collecting a $5 semesterly fee from all students in NS. This would be used to construct below-market-rate off-campus housing units. Student Housing Nova Scotia Executive Director Mitchell Archibald explained that 10% of the funds raised will also go towards bursaries and financial aid. The fund follows the model established by the Montréal-based corporation Utile.

In an article for University Affairs, Ross Paul (Acsenda School of Management)–former President of Laurentian University and the University of Windsor–examines the evolving challenges facing university presidencies. “I am only too aware that the job is much more complex and difficult than it was when I was in the position,” Paul observes, citing issues like underfunding, rapid change, and debates over universities’ roles. To thrive in today’s environment, Paul emphasizes that postsecondary leadership must demonstrate openness; embrace lifelong learning; and be technologically fearless. “The more I reflect on the challenges facing today’s university leaders, the more empathy I have for them and the greater my appreciation of those who are performing well in such a turbulent landscape,” he concludes.

York University has received nearly $750K from the Métis Nation of Ontario (MNO) to support the creation of a new doctoral fellowship in Métis studies. The Métis Nation of Ontario Doctoral Fellowship will support Métis scholars as they pursue new research, bolster the academic literature on Métis history and culture, and engage in projects that incorporate the principles of Métis research. “This fellowship marks an important milestone in our ongoing efforts to foster Métis-led research and scholarship,” said MNO President Margaret Froh. “Through this partnership, we are ensuring that the voices, stories, and histories of Métis people are not only told but are studied and celebrated at the highest levels of academia.”

In an article for the Journal de Québec, Benoît Lacoursière (Fédération nationale des enseignantes et des enseignants du Québec) highlights the importance of academic freedom for cégep and private college instructors. Lacoursière advocates for ensuring instructors–the experts in teaching–have the autonomy they need to excel in their work. He writes that academic freedom is a fragile element of academic life and argues that actions such as pressuring instructors to adopt specific pedagogical practices or reducing their representation on boards constitutes an attack on academic freedom. While he outlines that recent negotiations have strengthened protections for academic freedoms in the cégep sector, Lacoursière concludes that more progress is needed to reach the standards set by UNESCO.

Red Deer Polytechnic will offer a Network Administration Diploma credit program starting in Fall 2025. Students in the program will learn how to install, monitor, troubleshoot, and upgrade network infrastructure; incorporate optimization techniques; and apply security measures. The two-year program includes two work-integrated learning components with industry partners. “We are excited to offer the Network Administration Diploma credit program which provides a strong foundation for graduates to pursue a growing number of careers in information technology,” said RDP Donald School of Business, Science and Computing Dean Dr Robbie Halonen. “At RDP, we offer enhanced education, training and applied research opportunities that help to fulfill Alberta’s labour market demand.”

St Lawrence College has unveiled the William James Henderson Foundation Specialty Nursing Lab at its Kingston campus. The facility—which was named after the William James Henderson Foundation—is one of three being launched at SLC’s campuses. It includes advanced technology and immersive learning tools that will be used to provide nursing students and health-care professionals with hands-on experiences. “These state-of-the-art labs will benefit our students and become a hub for upskilling and reskilling healthcare professionals from Eastern Ontario and beyond,” said SLC AVP, Academic Dr Barb LeBlanc.