February 27, 2025

Université Laval has received a $20M donation from Quebecor toward the Carrefour international Brian-Mulroney Major Campaign. This funding will support the development of the Sphère Québecor program, which will enhance training and research in international studies, entrepreneurship, business, and communications. It will also establish an environmental, social, and governance investment fund and create scholarships for ULaval’s international business development missions. ULaval will recognize the gift by naming the building adjacent to the future Carrefour international Brian-Mulroney centre in honour of Quebecor founder Pierre Péladeau. ULaval says that this is the largest donation it has received in its history.

Next week, the Office of the Auditor General of Nova Scotia will release a review of the Government of Nova Scotia’s funding for university education. The audit will assess how NS allocates and ensures the accountability and transparency of university funding. According to The Coast, stakeholders—including CAUT and Students Nova Scotia—hope the review will examine senior administrative salaries, legal and consulting fees, and universities’ increasing reliance on tuition fees. A representative from the NS Department of Advanced Education said that the audit is expected to align with the government’s intentions as outlined in its recently proposed “Act Respecting Advanced Education and Research.”

The Government of Québec is capping international student applications for the 2025-26 academic year. QC will accept a maximum of 63,299 applications for university-level programs, 32,261 applications for vocational training programs, and 29,200 applications for college-level programs. Initially proposed in October, these measures are part of a broader provincial strategy to regulate temporary immigration by reducing applications for vocational and college programs while stabilizing university admissions. In an online statement, QC acknowledged the beneficial contributions of international students to the region but added that the recent growth in international student recruitment has presented challenges. As such, the province is implementing stricter oversight measures of international student intake.

Confederation College and Georgian College have each made changes to their programming in response to the impacts of the federal government’s international student cap. Confederation suspended admissions for six programs in the winter term and will pause admissions for four programs in the spring/summer term. Georgian suspended some program intakes and reduced the number of sections in other programs to address lower international enrolment. Additionally, Georgian removed 86 roles through layoffs, voluntary retirements, and vacancy closures, bringing the total number of impacted full-time positions to 229. “None of these decisions have been made lightly, but out of necessity of our financial situation,” said Georgian President Kevin Weaver.

Several organizations have called on the Government of Canada to adjust its policies to better support postsecondary institutions and international students. Christopher Worsick (CD Howe Institute) outlined a plan that Canada could use to bolster its economy by welcoming international students in greater numbers. In an article for Policy Options, Pari Johnston (Colleges and Institutes Canada) highlighted the negative impacts of Canada’s international student policy changes and outlined four steps that Canada could take to “course correct.” Hannah Hunter, Wasiimah Joomun, and Ahmad Baker (Canadian Alliance of Student Associations) called on the federal government to change its immigration evaluation system to better recognize and reward international students for attaining a Canadian education.

Portage College is launching a Kinesiology and Sport Studies Diploma program that will prepare students for careers in fitness. The program will use in-class instruction as well as work placements to teach students about topics such as human body movement, fitness classes, and fitness tests. “Portage College’s new Kinesiology and Sport Studies Diploma is the first of its kind in rural northeastern Alberta, providing local students and athletes with unprecedented access to education in health and sport sciences,” said Portage Dean of Foundational Learning, University Transfer and Arts Stephanie Solarz. “This unique program empowers our community with pathways to careers in wellness, sports, and fitness, right here at home.”

Kenjgewin Teg, Cambrian College, the Transport Training Centres of Canada Inc, and Whitefish River First Nation have partnered to launch a Heavy Equipment Operator Training program. The program offers operator certification training that ranges in length from two to nine weeks. Students gain hands-on experience operating a variety of heavy machinery, including backhoes, bulldozers, and excavators while learning to prioritize workplace safety. “Bringing programs directly to our communities is one way to strengthen the work and presence of Kenjgewin Teg in areas where demand for training and programs exists,” said Kenjgewin Teg President Beverley Roy. “We know that student transportation continues to remain a real challenge that needs to be addressed.”

Concordia University recently signed two new collective agreements with trade workers unions. The first was established with the Syndicat des travailleuses et des travailleurs des métiers de Concordia – Loyola. This collective agreement is in effect from January 2025 to May 2026. “We are pleased that we are starting to be more aligned with our downtown campus,” said STTMC – Loyala President Dave Gabbay. “Our members are particularly happy with the new possibility of progressive retirement.” The second was formalized with the Syndicat des travailleuses et des travailleurs des métiers de Concordia – Sir George Williams. It is in effect from June 2023 to May 2026.

In a recent article for Nature, Kelly-Ann Allen (Monash University) argues that academia should move beyond “publish or perish” attitudes to value other metrics of scholarly success. The author asserts that publications are the dominant measure of achievement in academia, but that this presents a skewed view of the true scope of research. Allen writes that implementing a standardized index that evaluates other factors—including collaboration, mentorship, and public reach—would help to bring about systemic change in the postsecondary field. “Publication-based evaluation has shaped and sometimes distorted academia,” concludes Allen. “The community faces a choice: maintain the status quo, or experiment with new measures that better align with our values.”

The Government of Canada and the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières are partnering to create a two-year specialized graduate diploma (DESS) in conference interpretation that will launch in the Fall. As part of this collaboration, Canada’s Translation Bureau will provide teaching support, workplace learning opportunities, and admission to its accreditation exam. “The DESS in conference interpretation aims to meet market needs, both in Québec and Canada,” explained UQTR Director of Undergraduate Translation Programs Éric Poirier. “The target audience includes future qualified conference interpreters. Among them are graduates in translation or individuals from other professional fields who wish to make it a career.”