Top Ten News

Jan 21, 2025 • NB, SK

The Government of Canada is investing in entrepreneurship at the University of New Brunswick and the University of Saskatchewan. USask’s startup incubator Opus received nearly $1M through PrairiesCan. The funds will be used to expand the incubator, provide additional entrepreneurship training, and offer support services to new innovators. UNB’s Axis Accelerator has received $248K in new funding from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) to bolster its sales accelerator program and develop related partnerships.

UNB, USask, Newswire, Country 94.1 (UNB)

Top Ten News

Jan 21, 2025 • ON

Northern College is projecting a $6M operational deficit for 2025-26 and a $12M deficit for 2026-27. To address the deficits, Northern has announced plans to cut costs by improving efficiencies and reducing staff. It has accordingly implemented early retirement and exit incentives and will soon issue layoff notices. “This was an incredibly difficult decision for us to make,” said Northern President Mitch Dumas. Dumas explained that “the combination of existing funding models, reduced international recruitment numbers, and growing costs due to inflation” were driving factors behind the deficits. CBC reports that in 2021-22, nearly 80% of Northern’s students were international.

Northern, CBC, CTV News, Northern News

Top Ten News

Jan 21, 2025 • National

A year has passed since the federal government announced a 35% reduction in study permits, and David Baxter for the Canadian Press discusses the crunch that has unfolded since. Council of Ontario Universities President Steve Orsini said that the organization’s members expect a combined loss of $300M this fiscal year and $600M in the upcoming fiscal year. “We’re seeing across-the-board cuts in programming and services, layoffs, hiring freezes, deferred capital investments,” said Orsini, who noted nine student housing projects have been affected. In Ontario, a combination of federal policy changes, the provincial tuition freeze for domestic students, and insufficient operating grants have created what Orsini calls a “perfect storm.” British Columbia Federation of Students Chair Jessie Niikoi said that provincial and federal governments should collaborate to provide institutions with reliable funding so they do not have to rely on international student tuition.

Global News, La Presse (FR)

Top Ten News

Jan 21, 2025 • AB

Dan O’Donnell (University of Lethbridge) has penned an article for the Lethbridge Herald about how universities serve as “intellectual batteries” for their region. Using ULethbridge as an example, O’Donnell explains that universities bring scholars from outside of the community into one central location, bringing diverse learning opportunities directly to students. However, this growth has slowed at ULethbridge, with domestic and international enrolment facing constraints. Across Alberta, funding cuts have also resulted in hiring freezes, staff cuts, and unfilled positions. He concludes by urging the Government of Alberta to understand the damage caused by “starving our university of the resources it needs to stay internationally competitive.”

Lethbridge Herald

Top Ten News

Jan 21, 2025 • ON

Georgian College recently unveiled plans to expand its Centre for Skilled Trades by modernizing the current building and creating 20,000 square feet of additional space. The expanded centre will include a new lab for heating, refrigeration, and air conditioning; an immersive learning space; and collaborative spaces. This expansion is supported by $1.5M from the County of Simcoe and $1M from The Gene Hass Foundation. “The skilled trades are one of our areas of strength and to continue being responsive to industry needs and to offer our students an unrivaled skilled trades learning environment, we need to modernize our centre to meet the challenges of Industry 4.0,” said Georgian President Kevin Weaver.

Georgian, Bradford Today

Top Ten News

Jan 21, 2025 • International

In a recent article for University World News, Jason E Lane (University of Illinois) and Jessica Schueller discuss how binational universities can help solve global issues. Binational universities—new universities that are created through bilateral government agreements—reflect the educational systems and academic cultures of both countries and serve as a source of economic innovation and workforce development. The authors discuss how these universities play transformative roles in areas such as academic innovation, the promotion of global citizenship, and diplomatic relations. While binational universities face challenges with administration, governance structures, language barriers, and more, they also offer unique opportunities for international collaboration and exchange. The authors write that binational universities will likely become more common as countries recognize the role education plays in fostering international cooperation.

University World News

Top Ten News

Jan 21, 2025 • QC

A recent study of cégep and university instructors has revealed that many are experiencing high levels of emotional exhaustion. Université du Québec à Montréal professors Mélanie Trottier and Mélanie Lefrançois surveyed 700 teachers and conducted exploratory interviews to investigate workload issues among postsecondary instructors. They found that instructors have witnessed significant rates of anxiety, loneliness, and mental health issues among their students since the pandemic. This, in turn, has weighed heavily upon instructors’ emotions and fatigue, as well as increased their overall workloads as they seek to accommodate and aid their struggling students. The study was funded by the Fédération nationale des enseignantes et des enseignants and La Fédération des professionnels.

Le Journal de Québec

Top Ten News

Jan 21, 2025 • NB, ON

Four universities recently shared updates on their labour negotiations. Brock University and the Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation District 35 have reached a tentative collective agreement that will be released upon ratification. Mount Allison University and the Mount Allison Faculty Association have established a new Collective Agreement that spans from July 2024 to June 2027. At Queen’s University, the Government of Ontario’s Ministry of Labour has issued No Board Reports signifying that the members of three CUPE Locals may legally strike and that the university may legally lock out these employees starting on February 3. York University and its staff association will be proceeding with mediation to reach an agreement.

Brock, MtA, Queen’s, YorkU

Top Ten News

Jan 21, 2025 • ON

The Toronto Star reports that eight members of Humber Polytechnic’s Board of Governors, including the chair and vice-chair, have resigned. The Star alleges that members of the board disagreed with Humber President Ann Marie Vaughan on topics such as the use of governance tools such as meeting in camera or meeting without the president present. While the institution did not comment on the specifics of board activities, Humber spokesperson Andrew Leopold explained that “in-camera sessions are an option” within set parameters and that informal meetings that would discuss board business without the full board present are discouraged. “While it is early in the process, Humber is moving forward to identify strong candidates and fill the open board positions that will lead to continued success for the institution and its community,” said Leopold.

Toronto Star (Acct Req)

Top Ten News

Jan 21, 2025 • AB

The University of Calgary’s Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking is launching a program that focuses on supporting and growing traditional businesses. The Business Playbook will teach foundational skills in how to start a business, including financial planning, market research, and customer discovery. This hands-on program is designed for alumni, faculty, staff, and students. The first cohort of the program will launch in February. “Whether you have an idea for brick and mortar, consultancy, or service-based business, this is the program for you,” said Hunter Hub Venture Programs Specialist Alessandra Amato.

UCalgary