January 15, 2026

Toronto Star reporter Janet Hurley details the way that Canadian universities are engaging alumni to support in the process of evaluating applications. Hurley offers an overview of how the University of Waterloo draws on its alumni and AI tools to review supplementary material from applicants to competitive undergraduate programs. “We saw it as a great opportunity to have alumni re-engage with UWaterloo,” said UWaterloo Associate Registrar, Admissions André Jardin. Hurley also describes how the University of British Columbia and the University of Toronto use alumni volunteers in the admissions process to assess applicants’ personal profiles.

In light of the unrest in Iran, several postsecondary institutions have taken action to support their community members. The University of Guelph’s Student Experience team is reaching out to Iranian students to share resources. The university is also reportedly considering “flexible tuition payment arrangements” and fee waivers. The University of Victoria encouraged its campus community to “exercise patience and understanding with Iranian students, staff, and faculty” and shared links to relevant supports on and around campus. Meanwhile, ceremonies and vigils were held at Queen’s University, the University of British Columbia’s Robson Square, and the University of Windsor Canterbury College to remember the victims of Flight PS752—which was shot down in Iran in 2020—and stand in solidarity with Iranians.

The Government of Canada and the Government of Saskatchewan have recently announced new investments into crop research in SK. The Agriculture Development Fund and industry partners will provide a combined total of $10.4M to 39 new crop research projects, including projects at Saskatchewan Polytechnic, the University of Manitoba, the University of Regina, and the University of Saskatchewan. Projects focus on a range of topics, including pest management and bale wrapping. USask experts are also part of a team that received $2.5M through the Strategic Research Initiative to study the management of herbicide-resistant kochia and wild oats.

Memorial University has announced its new leadership structure, which Memorial President Dr Janet Morrison describes as “a more streamlined, pan-university executive structure.” The new structure, which will take effect in March, includes three vice-presidents and three deputy provosts. The VP (Indigenous) role will be changed to a special advisor role while other leadership roles, such as the VP of Advancement and External Relations and the Vice-Provost (Labrador Campus) have been eliminated altogether. Morrison states that the benefits of the change will include reduced duplication, improved clarity and accountability, and estimated annual recurring savings of $1M. CBC reports that NL also recently announced that it would be reinstating its tuition freeze at Memorial.

Ontario Tech University has partnered with Teesside University in the UK to offer an accelerated pathway through legal training. Over the course of five years, students will be able to attain a Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies from Ontario Tech and their Bachelor of Laws (LLB)—the equivalent to a Juris Doctor in Canada—from Teesside. The pathway offers a broad perspective of law through both the Canadian and UK lenses and includes the opportunity for students to develop their skills through co-ops, internships, and practicums. Upon completion, graduates will be able to take the National Committee on Accreditation exam required to practice law in Canada.

The Université du Québec à Montréal’s faculty of education and the Centre de services scolaire Marie-Victorin have collaborated to open an elementary school in Brossard in Fall 2026. The collaboration aims to strengthen the connection between university research and teacher training while increasing the attractiveness of the teaching profession. The school will have 24 elementary school classes, eight kindergarten classes, and specialized classes. It will bolster the connection between field practices and educational research, allowing research projects to be implemented in the classroom.

George Brown Polytechnic has unveiled its new ‘George BrOWN Your Tomorrow’ brand campaign, which highlights the new polytechnic designation and calls for the community to “own” their goals. The campaign is supported by a refreshed website, a campaign video, updated social media presence, and a coordinated media strategy. “The OWN campaign reflects our purpose to prepare students with the skills, experience, and confidence to shape the industries of tomorrow. It reflects supporting our partners realizing their vision and serving communities in strengthening their capacity,” said George Brown President Dr Gervan Fearon. “It brings to life who we are as an institution and what we stand for.”

Dalhousie University has launched their Faculty and Staff Leadership Academy. The academy consists of a collection of three programs—Launch, Navigate, and Beacon—designed to grow leadership skills among employees. These programs are offered through a blend of online and in-person learning and are accessible to those with varying degrees of leadership experience. “Whether someone is leading a project, a classroom, or a team, we want them to have the tools to do that with confidence,” said Dal VP People & Culture Grace Jefferies.

Universities need non-traditional students, and a changing Canada means that non-traditional students can benefit from university programming, argues Loleen Berdahl (University of Saskatchewan). In her article for University Affairs, Berdahl asserts that one of the ways universities can recoup lost revenues is to increase their non-traditional enrolments. To entice non-traditional students, Berdahl says, universities must consider that these students have high expectations for their studies. To meet these expectations, faculty and leaders must ask themselves how they can provide career-relevant, efficient, and flexible programming while also approaching non-traditional learners with empathy.

The North Island College transit exchange is officially open, bringing an improved public transit experience and safety to the college’s campus area. Construction on the exchange began in August and final touches, including additional lighting and landscaping, will be added in the coming months. The transit exchange includes concrete bus bays that can accommodate heavy-duty buses, upgraded pedestrian and road infrastructure, new bike racks, and bigger bus shelters. The upgrades aim to increase bus capacity while enhancing safety and customer service.