February 13, 2025

The Southern Alberta Institute of Technology has launched the $150M Real Futures fundraising campaign. This campaign will focus on incorporating new technologies, modernizing learning spaces, and updating curriculum to better prepare students for an evolving job market. Donors have already contributed more than $100M towards the campaign’s goal. At the campaign launch, Cenovus Energy announced a donation of $3.7M to transform SAIT’s applied energy education. The estate of Arthur George “Bud” Hall also has provided $3.5M to support the construction of the Taylor Family Campus Centre. “The world demands talent that’s ready to adapt, and SAIT is at the forefront of that demand,” said SAIT President Dr David Ross. “Our graduates are ready to help drive innovation and support accelerated economic growth.”

Several postsecondary institutions have been named on the BC Top Employers list for 2025. Hosted by Canada’s Top 100, the annual competition evaluates British Columbia employers in eight criteria, including employee communications; performance management; and training and skills development. This year, the following postsecondary institutions were acknowledged for fostering positive work environments: British Columbia Institute of Technology, Camosun College, Douglas College, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Okanagan College, Simon Fraser University, the University of British Columbia, the University of Northern British Columbia, the University of the Fraser Valley, and the University of Victoria.

Algonquin College and Mohawk College have both announced new measures to offset their respective projected financial deficits. Algonquin is officially recommending to its Board of Governors the suspension of 37 academic programs; the closure of its Perth Campus; and the implementation of a targeted retirement departure initiative a, voluntary exit registry, among other efficiency measures. Algonquin President Claude Brulé explained that these interventions are needed to avoid incurring a $60M deficit in 2025-26. Brulé added that while layoffs are unavoidable, Algonquin is committed to mitigating their impact through staged adjustments. Meanwhile, Mohawk has initiated its third round of layoffs to curb its projected $50M deficit this year. According to CHCH, this round will affect an undisclosed number of faculty, adding to the nearly 200 administrative and support positions that were cut in the last few months.

The Université du Québec has filed an official brief pertaining to the Government of Québec’s recently proposed Bill 83. If passed, the bill would require new doctors to work in the public sector for five years and face fines of up to $200K for noncompliance. The bill is designed to promote QC’s public health system and deter medical graduates from immediately practicing in the private sector. UQuébec is calling on the government to support its in-development family medicine program, which is dedicated to the public health and social services sectors. The university claims that this initiative complements the bill’s overall goals and will instill public health values in the next generation of doctors.

The four postsecondary institutions involved with the in-development West Shore Campus have announced their inaugural programming offerings. Camosun College will offer programs in computer systems technology, early learning and care, and health care. The Justice Institute of British Columbia will offer its Emergency Medical Responder and Primary Care Paramedicine programs. Royal Roads University will launch three flexible undergraduate degrees in business and sustainability, applied environmental sciences, and social sciences. The University of Victoria will offer its Computing Gateway program. The collaborative campus is anticipated to open in September 2025.

Investing in postsecondary institutions during this time of uncertainty is critical for Canada’s future success, argues Red Deer Polytechnic President Stuart Cullum. Cullum argues that governments looking to build a strong, prosperous, and self-reliant country should bolster the postsecondary sector, which is critical for talent and technology development. Global political and economic changes are putting pressure on Canada to be more self-reliant, explains Cullum, who adds that reducing program losses is essential to supporting overall growth and diversification. “This precarious time poses an opportunity for governments and organizations astute enough to take advantage of it and Canada’s postsecondaries could play a leading role in lifting Canada’s lagging productivity out of the mire,” writes Cullum.

Capilano University has officially named its forthcoming childhood studies building: The Fulmer Family Centre for Childhood Studies. The facility, which is currently under construction, was named in honour of Chancellor Yuri Fulmer and his family, who provided a $2M donation towards the centre. The building, which will open in September, will house an integrated centre of early childhood care, research, and lab school education. The facility will allow the number of admissions for the Early Childhood Care and Education program to increase. “Investing in early childhood care and education is investing in families and communities,” said Fulmer. “We have an opportunity to have a profound impact on the future of the community through the creation of this new centre of excellence.”

Canadore College and the University of Niagara Falls Canada recently signed an articulation agreement to help students seamlessly transition from college to university. The agreement allows eligible graduates from Canadore’s Business, Business Accounting, and Enterprise Research diploma programs to transfer their credits into UNFC’s Honours Bachelor of Business Administration or Master of Data Analytics programs. “This partnership reinforces [UNFC’s] commitment to providing accessible and flexible pathways for students from diverse educational backgrounds,” said UNFC Provost David Gray. “We look forward to welcoming Canadore College graduates to [UNFC] and supporting them in achieving their academic and professional goals.”

The University of New Brunswick has shared announcements on two partnerships that will bring learning opportunities to new communities. The Promise Partnership—an initiative with New Brunswick Community College—will be expanding to Moncton. Postsecondary students will be placed in priority schools in Moncton, where they will mentor youth with a focus on supporting digital literacy skill development. UNB has also partnered with Boreal Education to accelerate the university’s online program development. Through this partnership, Boreal will provide UNB with end-to-end assistance, from program design to student support. The first programs supported by this partnership will launch in Fall 2025.

The Université du Québec à Montréal recently launched a new Canada Research Chair in Northern living environments. The post will be held by UQAM Professor Laurie Guimond, who will lead a team of 15 master’s and doctoral researchers. Together, they will analyze the geographic processes involved in “Northern living” in the context of change. Specifically, they will focus on three axes of research: the ways in which we inhabit a territory on a daily basis; how territories relate to mobility; and intercultural cohabitation.