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Jan 18, 2024 • National

In an update to the Policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern, the Government of Canada has released a list of sensitive technology research areas and a list of research organizations from China, Iran, and Russia which could pose a risk to Canada’s national security. The sensitive technology research areas include biotechnology, advanced weapons, digital infrastructure, and human-machine integration. The National Post reports that researchers and research teams looking to study the topics named on the sensitive research areas list will not be able to access federal funding if they have an ongoing affiliation with an organization on the list.

Canada, National Post, Globe and Mail

Top Ten News

Jan 18, 2024 • BC

The University of Victoria’s Ocean Networks Canada (ONC) initiative has partnered with the Spanish National Research Council to establish and operate a new subsea observatory in the Antarctic Ocean. The observatory will provide year-round, near real-time data on ocean conditions in one of the most under-observed parts of the planet. This data will advance scientific understanding on changing biogeochemical and physical ocean processes. “It’s exciting to see ONC’s transformative leadership in ocean science expand internationally to inform climate solutions beyond Canada’s three coasts,” said UVic VP, Research and Innovation Lisa Kalynchuk. “This partnership demonstrates how coastal communities and scientists from around the world can drive technological innovation and scientific discovery.”

UVic, ONC,

Top Ten News

Jan 18, 2024 • National

The number of study permits that Canada has issued to Indian students has sharply declined since a diplomatic incident that occurred last year, reports Reuters. There was reportedly an 86% drop in study permits issued to Indians in last year’s fourth quarter compared to the previous quarter. Canadian Immigration Minister Marc Miller recently noted that he does not believe this number will rebound soon, speculating that tensions will likely continue to have an impact. C Gurusubramanian of the High Commission of India in Ottawa said that some students have been looking to study in other countries due to “concerns, in the recent past, regarding [a] lack of residential and adequate teaching facilities” at some institutions in Canada.

Reuters, ,

Top Ten News

Jan 18, 2024 • ON

Two Ontario colleges have recently taken steps to improve student access to housing. Northern College has purchased an apartment complex in Kirkland Lake that it will renovate into a student residence with 13 rental units. One of the units will meet barrier free accessibility requirements to accommodate students with accessibility needs. “The ability for students to locate affordable accommodations is continuing to play a role in their decision to pursue post-secondary education,” said Northern College Acting President Mitch Dumas. The Recorder reports that St Lawrence College has partnered with SpacesShared in order to pair students looking for affordable accommodations with older adults in the Kingston region. SLC plans to expand the program to Brockville and Cornwall in the future.

Northern College, Timmins Today, SLC

Top Ten News

Jan 18, 2024 • National, QC

In an opinion piece for the Globe and Mail, Jacob T Levy (McGill University) discusses how campus culture wars provide a teachable moment on the differences between academic freedom and freedom of speech. Levy asserts that confusion between the two terms has caused considerable debate within the postsecondary space, especially in the last six months. He argues that university leadership must commit to academic freedom–which he defines as comprising the freedom to teach, be evaluated only on academic grounds, and follow evidence where it leads–as well as freedom of extramural speech and institutional neutrality. “With those rules in place, they can provide the site and space for students and faculty alike to study, explore, discuss and debate, to celebrate, mourn and protest, even the most divisive questions in political life,” Levy concludes.

Globe and Mail (Acct. Req.), ,
Opinion

Top Ten News

Jan 18, 2024 • ON

The University of Toronto Press (UTP) has partnered with Rapido Books to offer a print-on-demand option. UTP states that the partnership is the first of its kind in Canada. Rapido Books will print titles in Montreal and ship them to UTP for national distribution. This process will reduce carbon emissions by localizing printing services and avoiding the wastes associated with unsold books, while also increasing access to niche titles. “We continue to see demand from our customers for a sustainable, local solution to increase access to Canadian titles of all kinds and so we are proud to expand our partnership with Rapido Books to fill this gap,” says UTP VP of Distribution Jason Farrell.

Vancouver Sun, ,

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Jan 18, 2024 • QC

The l’Association montréalaise des directions d’établissement scolaire (AMDES) is urging the Government of Québec to postpone the deadline for secondary school teachers to send second stage report card results to cégep admission services. AMDES asserts that this would give secondary school students who missed up to five weeks of school due to the recent strikes sufficient time to be evaluated before they apply for admission to cégeps in the Greater Montreal region. Without this delay, AMDES argues that private school secondary students will gain an advantage over public school students, since the former did not miss school due to the labour dispute.

La Presse, ,

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Jan 18, 2024 • BC, NB

Crandall University and the University of the Fraser Valley are celebrating milestones this year. Crandall is celebrating its 75th year as an institution and reflecting on how it has grown and changed since its inception. The university kicked off the anniversary celebrations with campus decorations and announced several community-focused initiatives and events that will be held in the coming months. The University of the Fraser Valley is celebrating its 50th anniversary by launching the UFV 50 Program Fund. The fund will provide grants to programs and projects that recognize the university’s 50th year.

Crandall, UFV,

Top Ten News

Jan 18, 2024 • QC

Collège de Bois-de-Boulogne has formalized a partnership with Femmes+ en Tech and the FORTES program to increase the number of women in information technology (IT) study programs. As part of this collaboration, FORTES will award scholarships to students in different IT-related study programs, both in regular education and continuing education. These scholarships aim to promote diversity in the technology field and support women who wish to pursue digital education or IT-related careers.

Collège de Bois-de-Boulogne, ,

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Jan 18, 2024 • BC

Postsecondary institutions in British Columbia’s lower mainland closed on Wednesday due to winter weather conditions. British Columbia Institute of Technology, the Justice Institute of British Columbia, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Langara College, and Vancouver Community College closed their campuses and cancelled in-person classes, while online classes continued. Trinity Western University, University of British Columbia, and University of the Fraser Valley announced that they had cancelled in-person classes. Capilano University, Douglas College, and Emily Carr University of Art + Design stated that they closed their campuses. Simon Fraser University cancelled all classes, services, and activities, while keeping campus buildings open.

JIBC, Vancouver Sun,