February 20, 2025

Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) members—representing college faculty and staff—held rallies on college campuses across Ontario on Wednesday to draw attention to provincial funding cuts to the college system. The rallies highlighted the ongoing crisis regarding widespread program closures and layoffs. Participants are calling for bridge funding to preserve programming and staff, college funding formula changes to allow more domestic student enrolment, and additional investments in faculty and staff. “Important programs are being lost, and public colleges are moving further away from their mandate to support local communities and economies and to make postsecondary education widely accessible,” said Loyalist College Professor Craig Jackman. An additional rally will be held on Saturday at ON Premier Doug Ford’s campaign office.

Several Canadian postsecondary institutions have appeared among Times Higher Education’s World Reputation Rankings 2025. These rankings assess the academic reputation of institutions from around the world. This year, the assessment used a revamped methodology, which included an academic opinion survey of more than 55,000 scholars, as well as new comparison and voter diversity measures. Four Canadian postsecondary institutions appeared in the top 100: The University of Toronto (#21), the University of British Columbia (#34), McGill University (#44), and the University of Waterloo (#97).

Saskatchewan universities are anticipating a significant financial impact due to a decline in new international students, reports CBC. Both the University of Regina and the University of Saskatchewan reported a drop in enrolments for the winter intake: URegina said that its number has declined by over 50% compared to last January, while USask said that their numbers suggest a 20% decrease. “What international students actually bring to the University of Saskatchewan, they bring potentially to the province if they decide to stay,” said USask Vice-Provost of Students and Learning Jerome Cranston. “That’s something that we definitely are feeling a loss.”

Government of Québec Higher Education Minister Pascale Déry has been accused by multiple members of the province’s postsecondary community of political interference at Dawson College. La Presse reports that Déry intervened directly in the content of a course on Palestine at Dawson, therefore infringing on the college’s academic freedom. The Fédération nationale des enseignantes et des enseignants du Québec and the Fédération québécoise des professeures et professeures d’université have both denounced Déry’s actions and called for accountability measures. The Dawson Teachers’ Union added that the investigation into the on-campus climate at Dawson—launched by Déry in December—has created a “climate of fear” at the institution; teachers feel they are being intimidated into avoiding course material that is critical of Israel.

Postsecondary education should be reimagined to meet the needs of students from Generation Z, writes Brian Reed (University of Montana). Reed argues that students have become disengaged from their studies because of the increasing costs, rigid structures, and unclear returns on investment. Institutions must rethink their strategies to reengage these students, who may be disadvantaged by a time-based credit hour system or thrive in digital or hybrid contexts. The author recommends re-engaging with Gen Z students by offering affordable and flexible studies, aligning curricula with workforce needs, using innovative pedagogical strategies, and prioritizing student wellbeing. “If we truly believe in higher education as a public force for good, we must constantly endeavor to improve it, even if it requires uncomfortable self-reflection,” concludes Reed.

The Université du Québec à Montréal has announced updates to several of its programs. First, the university will offer two new concentrations for its Bachelor of Administration program in Fall 2025. The new concentration in project management will support students in developing the tools they need to adapt their skills to new project environments, while the new concentration in social innovation focuses on organizational management for companies that are committed to a social mission and have a collective structure. The university has also announced major changes to its bachelor of interactive media degree program, including a new name; new courses focused on methodological approaches, interactive immersive sound creation, and interaction design; and an increased intake size of 40 students per year.

York University’s School of Continuing Studies has launched a Post-Graduate Certificate in Digital Construction Management, which will begin this Fall. This program focuses on addressing the shortage of skilled workers in construction management. Given that the field is being reshaped by technological advancements, students will gain practical experience in software automation, AI tools, and 3D modeling as well as complete industry-inspired projects to prepare them for the workplace. The program includes three streams: construction estimation, construction project coordination, and contract administration.

Emily Carr University of Art + Design is introducing a first-of-its-kind Low-Residency Master of Fine Arts (MFA): Critical Ecological Practices cohort program. This two-year graduate program is delivered in a flexible format that allows students to study from their home community. The program covers topics related to climate justice and cultural transformation. “The degree will engage the climate emergency, climate racism, foodways, biophilia, marine life, walking-as-method and fieldwork through contemporary writing and artwork that is multidisciplinary, thoughtful and expansive,” explained ECU Faculty of Graduate Studies Associate Dean Randy Lee Cutler. “This cohort encourages students to think outside the box in terms of their thesis project and how their research might consider public engagement in innovative ways.”

Next month, Cégep de l’Outaouais will launch a consultation process with students, parents, and municipalities in the Outaouais region to evaluate ways to reduce physical barriers to postsecondary education access in the area. Le Droit reports that the cégep will put forth considerations to create satellite college study centres and relocate some of its programs. The cégep will also consider real estate opportunities in Saint-André-Avellin and Maniwaki, as well as discuss how to improve transportation services to the institution’s current location in Gatineau. The goal of these consultations is to identify the main obstacles to the geographical realities of the Outaouais and develop mitigation initiatives.

Royal Roads University, the University of Winnipeg, and Holland College have launched fee waivers and financial incentives to encourage more prospective students to apply to study. Royal Roads has announced that it will waive a portion of the tuition and application fees for those applying for its inaugural classes at the West Shore campus and launching a $1K entrance award for up to 100 students. UWinnipeg is running a two-week initiative—which started on its Open House day—where prospective students can have their application fees waived. If students take a full course load in the Fall term, they will also receive a $100 gift card for campus restaurants and a 10% student housing discount. Holland College waived application fees for prospective students who started their application during the college’s open house in January.