January 22, 2025

The Council of Ontario Universities (COU) and the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI) are collaborating to launch two new initiatives to foster leadership in the life sciences and the electric vehicle transition. The first initiative—the Life Sciences Group—will be co-chaired by Raed Kadri (OCI) and Les Jacobs (Ontario Tech University) and will focus on growing the province’s life sciences ecosystem by advancing health innovation, medical technology, biomanufacturing, agriculture, and agri-food. The second—the Critical Minerals and Battery Innovation Group—will be co-chaired by Kadri and Andrew Dean (Lakehead University) and will address ON’s need for a resilient and sustainable supply chain to bolster electrification efforts and the next generation of battery technologies.

Dalhousie University has received $1.4M from the Government of Nova Scotia’s Community Economic Development Fund to establish the Microelectronics Innovation, Design and Integration (MINDI) Hub. The initiative will specialize in microelectronic systems integration for sectors such as agriculture, communications technologies, and naval defence. It will bring together academics, students, and members of industry to develop and build products with custom semiconductor designs. “I’m excited to explore all the ways our researchers will work closely with local companies, start-ups, and global leaders to drive advancements in key areas like internet-of-things, biomedical devices, and marine sensing technology,” said MINDI Program Director Jean-François Bousquet.

The Government of the Northwest Territories has updated the Northwest Territories Trades Entrance Requirements to introduce a fourth pathway into the trades for Northerners. Individuals with a high school diploma are now eligible to enter the trades. The updates align with the territory’s transition to new K-12 curriculum and its recognition of the Canadian Adult Education Credential. “By creating more options for Northerners to enter the trades, we are empowering Northerners with new opportunities to secure meaningful jobs and contribute to a prosperous Northwest Territories,” said NWT Minister of Education, Culture and Employment Caitlin Cleveland.

Cégep de l’Outaouais is embarking on its first student residence project, thanks to a $1.2M donation from the Fondation Gilles et Jocelyne Ouimet. Cégep Executive Director Steve Brabant explained that providing accommodations is essential in the Outaouais region, as the area has a low vacancy rate and a high average rent. The institution is naming the residences after the Ouimet family to recognize the donation, which Le Droit states is the largest ever received by the cégep. The 24-unit residence project is expected to be completed by 2027.

The number of Maritime university students reporting disabilities is increasing, writes Allyson McCormack for CBC. Drawing on data from the Canadian University Survey Consortium, McCormack notes that 37% of students at Maritime universities reported having a disability in 2022, up from 29% in 2019; this figure is also higher than the national rate of 30% for students at Canadian universities in 2022. McCormack links the increase to ongoing pandemic recovery and reduced mental health stigmas. She highlights how institutions such as Mount Allison University, St Thomas University, and the University of New Brunswick are launching new initiatives and efforts to better support students. These include using new software to approve accommodations, training faculty in inclusive practices, and expanding accommodation and wellness teams.

Aurora College is establishing seven new trades and apprenticeship programs for its Thebacha Campus in Fort Smith. Three of these programs will accept students for the 2025-26 academic year: Fundamentals of Mechanics, Fundamentals of Pipe Trades, and Level 1 of the Automotive Service Technician apprenticeship. The remaining four will launch in 2026-27: Fundamentals of Welding, Level 2 of the Automotive Service Technician Apprenticeship, Level 3 of the Plumbing Apprenticeship, and Level 3 of the Heavy Equipment Technician (Off Road) Apprenticeship. Aurora is also planning to upgrade its existing carpentry, plumber, and electrician programs to provide students with the latest tools and technology required for industry-standard training.

In an article for University Business, Alcino Donadel discusses recent studies on students and the sports-betting landscape. A survey of 20,000 student-athletes by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) found that 21.5% of male student-athletes and 5.1% of female student-athletes had bet on sports within the last year. Donadel reports that other studies have noted high rates of sports-betting among students living on campus. However, the author adds that students often do not seek help for betting addictions or related behaviour. Donadel outlines three ways that institutions can help protect students: Creating a strong policy on sports betting, raising awareness among students, and ensuring access to supports.

The University of Guelph-Humber has partnered with the University of Guelph and Northeast College of Health Sciences in New York to create new pathways for professional programs. Eligible business students at UoGuelph-Humber can apply to UoGuelph’s MBA program with the work experience requirement waived. Meanwhile, UoGuelph-Humber kinesiology students will be able to take advantage of a formalized articulation pathway—including an early admission opportunity—to a Doctor of Chiropractic degree at Northeast College. The agreement with Northeast includes a 30% discount in tuition and merit scholarships for eligible students.

Université du Québec à Rimouski has launched a three-year baccalaureate program in administration at its Baie-Comeau campus. The program–which includes a 140-hour internship–is intended to prepare learners for careers as managers and leaders in the region. Speaking to Radio-Canada, UQAR vice-rectrice à la planification et aux partenariats Mélanie Gagnon explained that a major goal of the university’s branch campuses is to increase the number of degree holders in the region that they serve. UQAR Professor Luc Foleu explained that the program is for students who have completed some higher education in the past or who are currently working. The new program will launch in Fall 2025.

The University of British Columbia’s National Soccer Development Centre will serve as the training facility for the Canadian men’s national soccer team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This announcement follows the signing of a letter of intent with the City of Vancouver and the Vancouver Whitecaps. The Daily Hive reports that the centre will host base camp for the national team and act as a training location for teams from other countries. Vancouver had originally planned to build a training facility in a neighbourhood park, but the plan was reportedly met with local opposition.