January 17, 2025

The University of Manitoba, University of Regina, and University of Saskatchewan are among the organizations that will benefit from $14.8M in new funding from the Agriculture Development Fund (ADF). The funds are provided by the Government of Canada, Government of Saskatchewan, and multiple industry partners to support research projects focused on the crops sector, including solutions to production issues and the development of new opportunities. UManitoba and URegina will each lead one of the funded projects; USask has received funding toward 23 projects that focus on topics such as soil science and plant proteins.

The University of New Brunswick and the University of Waterloo have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore the creation of optometry in Saint John, New Brunswick. UWaterloo is currently the only institution in Canada with an English-language school of optometry, which means that students from Atlantic Canada must travel for optometry training. This future school of optometry would serve Atlantic Canada and increase the region’s supply of optometrists. “We’re delighted to partner with [UNB] on expanding access to optometric education in Atlantic Canada,” said UWaterloo Director of the School of Optometry and Vision Science Dr Stanley Woo. “We believe a strategic partnership between our school and an institution with similar aims and values will be a strong foundation for success.”

Simon Fraser University has officially disbanded its football program as part of its new strategy for athletics and recreation. SFU states that the football program was discontinued in 2023 when the team no longer had a place to play; subsequent changes to the football landscape and the lack of a clear path forward into either the NCAA or USports led the institution to the decision to officially end the program. While the university is facing an uncertain financial climate, SFU stated that this did not impact the decision. SFU Football Alumni Society President Mark Bailey expressed his frustration to City News, adding that the decision to abolish the program will remove important opportunities for student-athletes.

The University College of the North will construct a dedicated student housing facility to accommodate students in Flin Flon this year. Site preparation for this modular housing facility will start in February 2025. The facility is expected to be completed and ready for students by Summer 2025. “This facility makes committing to education easier for people across our region,” said UCN AVP of Community & Industry Solutions Jamie Grant. “By providing students with a convenient and affordable place to stay, we will empower people to follow their dreams and improve their and their families’ lives.”

Brock University has forged partnerships with three institutions to create new opportunities for its Master of Public Health (MPH) students. Brock’s MPH program recently secured accreditation from the Canadian College of Health Information Management (CCHIM), which will enable students to challenge CCHIM’s exam and become certified health information professionals. The university is working with NOSM University to create a transfer pathway that will allow NOSM U Master of Medical Studies students and Brock MPH students to take select graduate courses at either institution. Brock also forged a partnership with the American Canadian School of Medicine to create a double-degree pathway program that enables students to complete both an MPH at Brock and a medical degree at ACSOM in Dominica.

HEC Montréal has partnered with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s (MIT) Sloan School of Management to create a new pathway for HEC students interested in studying management at the graduate level. Under this partnership, graduates of HEC’s Master of Science and MBA programs will be eligible to apply to MIT’s Master of Science in Management Studies. The program at MIT offers students the opportunity to pursue advanced management studies with a curriculum that is customized to their respective career goals. Students in the program can earn an MIT degree in nine months.

Carlton Trail College and the global resources company BHP have launched the BHP Potash Academy. This eight-month paid traineeship combines in-class learning with hands-on experience. Graduates of the program will earn a Certificate in Mining Essentials and an Applied Certificate in Industrial Mechanics and will be offered full-time employment at BHP’s Jansen Mine site in Leroy, Saskatchewan. “With the launch of this new partnership between our College and BHP, we are bridging the gap between workforce need, classroom learning and the real-world application of skills,” said Carlton Trail President Amy Yeager. The first cohort of trainees will begin their studies this month.

The Supreme Court of Canada has refused to hear an appeal from the Mohawk Mothers group regarding a ruling in August 2024 related to McGill University’s construction work on the grounds of the former Royal Victoria Hospital. The group of Indigenous Elders suspects that there are unmarked graves of Indigenous patients located on the grounds. In 2023, the Mohawk Mothers and McGill negotiated an agreement to have a panel of archaeologists oversee the renovations; however, in 2024, the Québec Court of Appeal overturned a court decision that ordered compliance with the agreement. The group was seeking to appeal the provincial court’s decision.

The York University’s School of Medicine project has received approval from the Faculty of Health faculty council and is advancing to the university senate. The faculty council voted 95% in favour of the proposal, which outlines the establishment of a School of Medicine within the Faculty of Health. “The extent of engagement with faculty members across the University reflects how significant this initiative is for the whole of YorkU,” said YorkU School of Nursing Director Claire Mallette. “These discussions have been really helpful to ensure interdisciplinary perspectives into the proposal.” The university has also published a new FAQ about the school, which provides information about the planning process, funding model, and other factors involved in the consultation process.

Universities should do more to prepare their students with skills that will be useful for their civic lives, writes Loleen Berdahl (Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy). Berdahl writes that citizenship development—defined as the development of knowledge and skills for effective citizenship—gives students the tools to effectively participate in democratic society. Berdahl advises instructors to emphasize the importance of skills that are relevant to civic engagement and foster liberal democratic values in the classroom. At the university level, the author encourages administrators to consider implementing a citizenship mandate that crosses all disciplines. “A whole university approach to citizenship development would support students in all disciplines in becoming effective, engaged citizens,” concludes Berdahl.