February 23, 2024

Acadia University will build a new facility for nursing education thanks to a $13.9M investment from the Government of Nova Scotia. The facility will have a dry lab, clinic teaching spaces, and simulation rooms, which will enable Acadia to obtain accreditation for a permanent nursing program. The program will graduate 63 nurses per year by 2027. “Beyond benefiting nursing students, [the facility] has the opportunity to enhance the campus-wide learning experience by fostering interdisciplinary collaboration,” said Acadia President Jeff Hennessy. “This support not only prepares students for the workforce but also empowers Acadia students to make a meaningful impact on healthcare in our region and throughout the province.”

The Government of British Columbia is providing $1.75M to the Fire Chiefs’ Association of BC to establish regional firefighter training hubs in nine communities. These new training facilities will allow volunteer and staff firefighters from the regional fire departments to enhance their skillsets closer to home. These training hubs will be located in the regions of Central Kootenay, East Kootenay, Fraser Fort George, Kent, the Kootenay Boundary, Pemberton, Port McNeill, qathet (Powell River), and Vanderhoof.

Georgian College has unveiled a new nursing program that will enable registered practical nurses to bridge into a career as a registered nurse. This RPN-to-RN bridge includes a supervised clinical placement that will give students hands-on experience. Eligible RPNs will be eligible to receive advanced standing in the program. “This continues Georgian’s long-standing commitment to providing local nursing education designed to create a robust nursing workforce to meet the health and wellness needs of our local communities,” said Georgian Associate Dean of Health, Wellness and Sciences Dr Sara Lankshear. The three-year program will be offered in Barrie, Orangeville, and Owen Sound.

Mount Royal University has launched a Bachelor of Aviation Management program that will prepare students for careers in aviation. Students have the opportunity to pursue a Commercial Pilot License and Multi-Engine Instrument Rating, preparing them for a career as a professional pilot. The Aviation Operations pathway teaches students aviation business content and management skills. Graduates will be able to seamlessly transition into employment, as the program includes mentorship, interview opportunities, and co-operative education options with up to three work terms. MRU says that the degree is the first of its kind in Alberta.

Collège Ahuntsic has unveiled its Plan d’écologisation institutionnel, which describes the institution’s commitment to the environment and eco-citizenship. The plan outlines a number of environmental goals for the college, including reducing its waste, adopting eco-responsible procurement practices, and documenting its carbon footprint. The college will also integrate the environment and eco-citizenship education into its courses and programs, and college staff will be equipped to integrate these learnings into their work. Collège Ahuntsic says that the plan reinforces its dedication to the environmental transition.

In a recent article for The Conversation, Michelle Stack (University of British Columbia) and Caroline Shenaz Hossein (University of Toronto) argue that Canada’s higher education system needs to shift from a fixation on rankings to a focus on a cooperative governance model. They write that the pursuit of rankings comes at the cost of resources and changes education into a consumer good, while a cooperative model offers a more equitable and ethical way to run a university. Stack and Hossein outline how institutions can take steps toward a co-operative model—such as supporting co-operative economies on campus or exploring student housing co-ops—and conclude by encouraging institutions to rethink their corporate model.

The Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) and the Fédération québécoise des municipalités (FQM) have partnered to advance sustainable water management solutions within the context of climate change. The partners have created the creation of the Municipal Chair in Sustainable Water Management, which is supported by FQM and headed by INRS professor Sophie Duchesne, an expert in hydrology and urban infrastructure. The chair will focus on topics such as the sustainability and efficiency of infrastructure, the sustainability of drinking water sources, and flood risk reduction. Duchesne said that this partnership represents a “springboard for building resilient communities that are better equipped to face these challenges.”

Laurentian University has listed its president’s house. The house was first purchased by the university in 1965 and it has been used over the years to host guests and community gatherings. A 2023 email from the president’s office noted that “notwithstanding its historical significance, our current and future needs for spaces that support academic excellence and the student experience, supersede holding on to this piece of our past.” Sudbury.com reports that Laurentian’s board of governors decided to sell the property a year ago, but listing process complexities and necessary repairs delayed the process of listing the home. Funds from the home’s sale will be used to invest in the university’s sustainability.

The Government of Saskatchewan and the Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute (SICI) have renewed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) focused on postsecondary education. Under this three-year agreement, the partners will strengthen the academic ties between SK and India through postsecondary research collaborations, student and scholarly exchanges, and provincial-international education strategies and plans. “International students bring a global perspective to Saskatchewan, enrich our culture and create bridges between their homes and ours,” said SK Advanced Education Minister Gordon Wyant. “[We] are proud to continue this relationship with the Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute in support of research collaborations and the exchange of students and academics between our institutions.”

The Syndicat des chargées et chargés de cours de l’Université Laval (SCCCUL-CSN) has reportedly reached an agreement in principle with the Université Laval. The union–which represents approximately 1,700 ULaval lecturers–has accordingly announced that it will suspend the strike days it had planned for next week. The lecturers hit the picket lines last week as they mobilized around the issues of wages and job security. The union has indicated that further details will be presented at an upcoming general meeting.