February 11, 2025

Several postsecondary institutions and organizations have been listed among Saskatchewan’s Top Employers. The 2025 edition of this annual competition evaluates employers based on select criteria, including in the categories of workplace, benefits, training, and community involvement. The Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission (SATCC) was recognized for encouraging professional and personal development among its employees with tuition subsidies. Both Saskatchewan Polytechnic and the University of Saskatchewan were also heralded for offering free access to their respective on-site fitness facilities and in so doing contributing to the mental and physical health of their employees.

In an act of solidarity with Québec workers, Cégep Drummond has announced the immediate suspension of all Amazon purchases and subscriptions. Radio-Canada reports that this move comes in response to Amazon’s late-January decision to close its warehouses and delivery centres in Québec and lay off more than 2,000 employees. Drummond directeur général Pierre Leblanc stated that, as a public institution, the cégep has a duty to consume responsibly and to keep the province’s local and regional economy strong. Leblanc additionally invited other institutions to follow suit in leaving Amazon.

At the University of Manitoba, a student-led initiative is creating a space for men and boys to discuss their mental health. UManitoba student Vaibhav Varma—whose brother died by suicide in 2023—decided to create the group so that students do not have to struggle alone, like his brother did. The Men’s Wellness Circle UM began in January with an event where participants discussed how they take care of themselves. UManitoba Assistant Professor Warren Clarke and student co-ordinators also put on a barbershop talk event focused on Black men and their experiences. “A lot of people just want to be acknowledged,” said Clark. “They just want to know that … ‘I’m being humanized in a social space that accepts me.’”

The University of New Brunswick’s Faculty of Law is facing complaints from a student and a graduate, who allege discrimination due to inadequate accommodations for their disabilities. UNB law student Morgan Higginson explained to CBC that she was told to choose between accommodations, while graduate Nicholas Frost said that it took three years to receive approval for all of his accommodations. They both expressed that they want UNB to revise its disability-related policy and add an appeals process; Frost added that he hopes the complaint that he filed with the New Brunswick Human Rights Commission will result in changes at the law school. UNB President Paul Mazerolle said that the university’s Student Accessibility Centre “works closely with the students from all faculties … to ensure that students with documented disabilities receive reasonable accommodations.”

Trent University and the Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC) are building on their previous collaboration to advance health care in the Peterborough region. Under a new Memorandum of Understanding, the partners will collaborate on research into pressing health issues; develop data governance systems to support knowledge exchanges between health-care professionals and academics; facilitate student volunteer opportunities in hospitals; create micro-credentials in health-care leadership; and co-lead sustainability and energy initiatives. “The collaboration is about more than formalizing our work together—it’s about opening doors to new longer-term projects, securing critical funding, expanding hands-on learning for students, and scaling innovations that will help shape the future of health care in our region and beyond,” said Trent President Dr Cathy Bruce.

The Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue is reporting a $3M deficit for the 2024-25 budget. UQAT recteur Vincent Rousson stated that most of this deficit—approximately $2.5M—stems from salary increases that were granted to public service employees by the Government of Québec. Rousson expressed that while he agrees with the increases, the provincial government did not grant additional funding to the university to cover these fees. Radio-Canada reports that UQAT is assessing how to counterbalance the deficit over the next five years, including by limiting travel expenses and analyzing all contracts that are due to expire. Rousson explains that while job cuts will not be automatic, the university will think seriously about how it can limit its expenses.

York University’s Faculty of Environment and Urban Change (EUC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Adamas University’s Department of Geography in India. This agreement outlines several areas of collaboration, such as joint teaching and supervision of graduate students; cooperative research, project, and course development activities; and faculty and researcher mobility. “Our respective strengths in global geography and geomatics will offer students and faculty from both institutions enhanced opportunities for research and training,” said YorkU EUC Dean Alice Hovorka.

A recent Nature article discusses the results of a recent survey by Wiley that asked nearly 5,000 researchers from around the world about their use and perceptions of of generative AI tools for research. The study noted that AI use is currently limited among researchers, who want more guidance on its adoption. However, the majority of researchers said they want to expand their usage within the next two years, such as for preparing manuscripts (72%), handling large information sets (67%), or supporting research accessibility and sharing (65%). Over half of the surveyed researchers said that they anticipate many use cases of AI will become mainstream in the next few years. The report concludes by noting the importance of offering guidance and training to researchers and calling for ethics, transparency, and collaboration in AI tool development.

The University of Guelph has launched a new format for its Sport and Event Management Bachelor of Commerce program at the Gordon S Lang School of Business and Economics. This version of the program is offered in a fully asynchronous online format that is accessible and flexible for students who need flexibility, such as athletes, working students, and international students. “This program opens all kinds of doors for students,” said UoGuelph Lang Chair in Sport Management Dr Ann Pegoraro. “And this online option is going to make [UoGuelph] an enticing, economical option for those students.”

Ambrose University and the Church of the Nazarene Canada will strengthen and expand their longstanding partnership through a multi-year agreement. The Church of the Nazarene Canada will increase its funding and support for Ambrose’ vision, mission, and programs. Ambrose will host and facilitate the non-degree Modular Course of Study for the Church of the Nazarene Canada program, which prepares students for a career in the Nazarene clergy in Canada. Ambrose says that the agreement marks a “significant step forward” in their partnership.