January 23, 2025

The Government of Canada has announced more than $74M in funding through NSERC to support 107 quantum science projects led by postsecondary researchers across the country. These funded projects will advance the development of quantum technologies by fostering collaboration between universities and organizations in the private, public, and not-for-profit sectors. In total, these projects will train more than 500 graduates and postdoctoral fellows at Canadian postsecondary institutions. “Today’s investment will accelerate breakthroughs in quantum computing, communications, and security, creating new opportunities for Canadian businesses and strengthening our economy,” said Canada Minister of Innovation, Science, and Industry François-Philippe Champagne.

Two postsecondary institutions have introduced simulation technology to help students connect their theoretical knowledge with real-world experience. The British Columbia Institute of Technology recently received two new flight simulators from Flightdeck Solutions. These simulators will provide Aircraft Maintenance Engineering students at the Aerospace Technology Campus with immersive learning experiences. At York University, the Osgoode Professional Development department launched the SIMulated Professional Learning Environment, which draws on a digital case management platform to give legal learners the opportunity to apply what they have learned to a simulated environment. “It is a more structured way of learning lawyering in a low stakes and supportive environment,” said YorkU OsgoodePD Executive Director Victoria Watkins Phibbs.

Centennial College and Mohawk College recently announced significant cuts as part of their ongoing efforts to address the impacts of the federal study permit cap. Centennial is suspending 49 programs across six of its schools for the 2025-26 academic year. In a statement, Centennial President Craig Stephenson explained that these suspensions will also translate into faculty and staff reductions. “We are proceeding with care as we work through what this means for our people,” said Stephenson. CBC reports that Mohawk is laying off an undisclosed number of support staff this week, including those who work in areas such as athletics, facilities, financial aid, registration, and tech support. This is addition to the layoffs initiated in December for select individuals in administrative roles.

Concordia University’s Department of Art History has launched a Graduate Microprogram and Graduate Certificate in Curatorial Studies and Practices. The two programs will make use of the new Elspeth McConnell Critical Curatorial Laboratory, where students will gain hands-on experience in curating practices, such as matting, hanging, and lighting. “The skills that one gains as a curator are phenomenally useful out in the world,” said Concordia Graduate Program Director and Professor Rebecca Duclos. “Everything from project management to community liaison, to literally hanging a show, writing the texts, producing publications and developing educational or public programs.”

In a recent article for Inside Higher Ed, Benjamin Rifkin (Fairleigh Dickinson University) discusses how making student engagement expectations more transparent can enhance class participation. Rifkin describes several of the methods that he uses to incentivize student participation, including opening class with a short, open-note quizzes based on the day’s material and previous class discussions and using a points-based system with feedback for evaluating participation. He notes that providing feedback helps students improve their participation and protects instructors from accusations of subjectivity. He concludes that a redesigned approach to class participation triggers learner motivation, which is a paramount in deepening student learning.

The University of Saskatchewan’s Edwards School of Business will launch a Graduate Certificate in Financial Management this Fall. This eight-month, three-course program will teach learners how to manage strategic decision-making using financial data. The three courses are also fully transferrable to the Edwards School of Business MBA program. “The Graduate Certificate in Financial Management will equip students with essential financial knowledge and skills, such as interpreting financial statements, developing performance measurement systems, and making informed fiscal decisions,” said Edwards School of Business Acting Dean Dr Marjorie Delbaere. “The courses, which are part of the MBA curriculum, will immerse students alongside the MBA students creating an enriched learning environment.”

The Auditor General of Newfoundland and Labrador has released a performance audit report on Memorial University’s Facilities Management. The report identified multiple issues with Memorial’s management of its infrastructure. These included the absence of policies, procedures, or oversight to ensure the appropriate use of student-funded campus renewal fees; building maintenance not being performed at appropriate times; and a growing footprint alongside a decreasing student population. The report includes nine recommendations, all of which have been accepted by Memorial. “The recommendations from the auditor general are consistent with work that has been ongoing recently and we will continue to seek innovative approaches to address infrastructure challenges,” said Memorial President Dr Neil Bose.

The Université du Québec à Montréal’s continuing education department is offering a new modular mentoring program. This program comprises nine training courses for mentors and mentees who are involved in a professional integration or internship supervision process. The course topics include authentic and constructive communication between mentors and mentees; managing anxiety, effort, and perseverance; and unconscious bias in mentorship relationships. The program’s modular, independent structure ensures that training topic selection can be customized based on the trainer. UQAM continuing education coordinator Martine Bussières said that these courses are meant to better equip mentors and mentees to excel in their organizations.

The Children of Shingwauk Alumni Association has released a cumulative report on the first phases of its search for unmarked graves on Algoma University’s campus, which is the former site of the Shingwauk Indian Residential School. No burial sites were found during a search of the grounds in front of AlgomaU. “It was a long process to do, but we feel that we’re very, very fortunate that we didn’t find any unknown burial sites as of now,” said Children of Shingwauk Alumni Association President George Diamond. The area behind the university will be searched in two phases later this year.

Two women’s basketball games between the Vancouver Island University Mariners and the Columbia Bible College Bearcats have officially been postponed by PACWEST, reports Boundary Creek Times. Abbotsford News reports that the VIU Mariners players refused to play the game, citing “alleged verbal and physical mistreatment of a transgender teammate” by a Bearcats coach and player that had not yet been addressed. Speaking to the Vancouver Island Free Daily, Columbia Bible College asserted that it had created a safety plan for the games with the Abbotsford Police Department, PACWEST, and VIU. The college stated that claims that its coaches, players or fans posed a safety threat were “misinformed and untrue.”