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Feb 02, 2024 • National

In a recent article for University Affairs, Jadine Ngan investigates the potential impacts of the Government of Canada’s decision to cap international study permits. Ngan questions how this policy will affect the country’s reputation in the international student marketplace and highlights the trepidation expressed by several universities and colleges over the policy, which they are concerned will add pressure to an already financially stressed sector. Ngan cites the concerns of the Migrant Workers Alliance for Change (MWAC), pointing out that some institutions may choose to increase international student tuition in an attempt to recoup the potential losses caused by this policy, thereby further exploiting international students.

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Top Ten News

Feb 02, 2024 • ON

At a recent news conference, Government of Ontario Premier Doug Ford expressed that he is not in favour of a tuition increase for postsecondary students. “I just don’t believe this is the time to go into these students’ pockets, especially the ones that are really struggling, and ask for a tuition increase,” said Ford. This comment comes in response to recent calls from the Council of Ontario Universities, Colleges Ontario, and others for an end to the province’s tuition freeze and for the immediate implementation of the blue-ribbon panel’s recommendations. Despite Ford’s remarks, the Premier’s Office has clarified that tuition increases and additional funding for postsecondary institutions are still up for discussion.

CBC (CP), Durham Radio News, Sudbury.com

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Feb 02, 2024 • AB

Athabasca University Press has launched Remix, a new publishing program that publishes open educational resources (OER) that have been written or adapted by AU faculty members for use in courses. Remix’s titles will be published under a Creative Commons license and made freely available; they differ from traditional press titles in that they do not go through standard peer review. The tool will serve as part of AU’s learning resource strategy. “As an open university, Athabasca University’s mission is to remove barriers to higher education,” said AU Press Interim Director Kathy Killoh. “Remix enhances that commitment by making learning resources more affordable and convenient for students.”

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Feb 02, 2024 • ON

York University has condemned a 15-page toolkit published by CUPE Local 3903 that called for its members to collectively divert the focus of their tutorials for a week in January to focus on Palestinian liberation efforts. CP24 reports that the Jewish group Hillel York feels targeted by the toolkit and that dozens of students have expressed concerns about their potential mistreatment from teaching assistants. In a release, YorkU President Rhonda Lenton said that the toolkit was not “in accordance with the rightful expectations of the University as an employer, the needs of the students and the legitimate claims of the community” and noted that the university’s senior administration has written to the union to discuss the rights that students have to learning the course curriculum.

YorkU, CP24, Global News

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Feb 02, 2024 • AB, NS, ON, QC

Concordia University has received $4M from the Power Corporation of Canada to advance research on clean energy sources. The investment will provide significant support for the Concordia-led Volt-age program, which launched last October in partnership with Dalhousie University, Toronto Metropolitan University, and the University of Calgary. Specifically, this donation will finance the program’s business development efforts, pilot projects relating to clean energy, and the establishment of an innovation fund for the development and maturation of transformative technologies. “We are profoundly grateful to Power Corporation for its visionary investment in green energy research,” said Concordia President Graham Carr.

Concordia, The Gazette (Montreal),

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Feb 02, 2024 • International

The Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA) has recently launched a new online resource that aims to make academic hiring, promotion, and tenure procedures fairer, more robust, and more diverse. The Reformscape database collates publicly available policies, action plans, and other documents pertaining to assessment practices from more than 200 institutions in 20 countries worldwide. The tool is designed to be used as a starting point for postsecondary institutions that are looking to change their assessment systems by providing case studies of successful policy reforms. “It can be difficult to convince people from a standing start that change is possible,” said DORA Programme Director Zen Faulkes. “This is a tool to help them get unstuck.”

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Feb 02, 2024 • AB, BC, QC

The Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières has recently partnered with France’s Centre national de la recherche scientifique (CNRS) to establish a new France-Canada International Research Network on Clean Hydrogen. The aim of the network is to deepen connections between French and Canadian researchers to improve low carbon hydrogen production technologies. The initiative will focus on a variety of technologies, such as those pertaining to water electrolysis technologies, solar energy for artificial photosynthesis, and hydrogen generation. As part of UQTR’s coordinating role in the network, the university will also collaborate with the Institute national de la recherche scientifique, the University of Calgary, the University of British Columbia, and Simon Fraser University.

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Feb 02, 2024 • NL

The College of the North Atlantic’s Medical Office Management program has received accreditation from the Canadian College of Health Information Management (CCHIM). As part of its agreement with CCHIM, CNA will complete reporting requirements for two years in order to receive an additional five-year accreditation. The program is already accredited through the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, but CNA Dean of Business and Information Technology Stephen Warren explained that the CCHIM accreditation will benefit graduates of the program. “With this accreditation, our graduates will be well-prepared to pursue the Health Information Certified Associate (HICA) designation, setting them on a path to successful and meaningful careers in healthcare administration,” said Warren.

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Feb 02, 2024 • BC, ON

Brock University and Emily Carr University have both launched new online master’s programs. Brock has launched the Master of Public Health and Master of Education consecutive degrees pathway, which allows students to complete both degrees in two years. The programs teach students to design, implement, and manage health systems and prepare students to work to advance teaching and learning within the health professions sector. ECU’s Master of Design: Information Futures program will teach students about the multidimensional space of information and modern tools. It combines information, communication, and systems design to prepare leaners for career paths in areas such as environmental sustainability, policy and government, and health and education.

Brock, Stir (ECU),

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Feb 02, 2024 • SK

Northlands College has implemented an automated Internal Application Management System. This new system will streamline internal processes for college employees, inform applicants about their application status in real-time, and reduce the paperwork associated with traditional application procedures. “This application system is not just about improving the experience for our applicants; it’s also about empowering our staff and reducing our environmental footprint,” said Northlands President Karsten Henriksen. “By deploying such initiatives, we strive to enhance efficiency and productivity throughout the college.”

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