January 24, 2024

In recognition of Bell Let’s Talk Day, Bell has invested $1M into student mental health initiatives at 11 cégeps, colleges, and universities across Canada. RRC Polytechnic announced that it will use the $100K grant that it received through this investment to expand its wellbeing supports with the launch of a Peer Support program. Institutions such as Brock University and the University of Manitoba have also announced programs and events that are intended to help raise awareness of the available postsecondary supports and resources and to foster improved wellbeing among staff and/or students.

The leaders of several provincial governments, colleges, universities, and organizations have issued their responses to the recent federal announcement about study permits. Representatives from Ontario and British Columbia indicated that they are taking action to address international education problems in their provinces, with BC Postsecondary Education and Future Skills Minister Selina Robinson indicating that a “suite of actions” focused on improving quality standards will be announced next week. Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew told CBC that MB is still awaiting details on the study permit caps. Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) published a response outlining the ramifications that these changes could have on international students and Canada more broadly. The Association of Atlantic Universities also asserted that that a temporary cap will hurt Atlantic Canada on several fronts. Representatives of several universities and colleges in regions such as Manitoba and Prince Edward Island spoke to the press about how their institution will be affected.

In an article for The Conversation, Matthew Pearson (Carleton University) makes the case for using simulations to help journalism students develop trauma-aware interview skills. Pearson asserts that students should receive trauma training while in journalism school, given that even early-career journalists are likely to encounter sensitive topics and situations. The author identifies simulation exercises as a useful mechanism for allowing students to practice their interview skills in a low-stakes environment and describes how he integrated simulations into his courses. After completing the course, many students expressed greater levels of confidence and demonstrated that they understood the importance of research, transparency, and informed consent in their journalism practice.

Assiniboine Community College and the Town of Neepawa are celebrating the opening of a new training facility. The health care training centre located in Neepawa will host ACC’s two-year practical nursing program, with space for 25 new seats in the program. According to the Brandon Sun, 20 students are already enrolled in the program and taking classes in the refurbished building. “It is our hope that once the first group graduates, we can offer further sessions for the training of nurses or other post-secondary health-related education, whether it be health-care aides, paramedics, etc.,” said Neepawa community mayor Brian Hedley.

Forbes has released its Canada’s Best Employers 2024 list and several postsecondary institutions have ranked among the leaders. The ranking is based on a survey of 40,000 individuals working at companies and organizations that employ at least 500 individuals. Seven institutions appeared in the top 25: Brock University (#3), Concordia University (#5), Carleton University (#12), Mount Royal University (#19), Okanagan College (#21), Univeristé de Sherbrooke (#23), and Univeristé Laval (#24). Eight more appeared in the top 100: Dalhousie University (#62), University of New Brunswick (#65), Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (#68), University of British Columbia (#74), British Columbia Institute of Technology (#78), University of Prince Edward Island (#79), Centennial College (#94), and University of Victoria (#97).

HEC Montréal, Polytechnique Montréal have each recently renewed their affiliation agreements with the Université de Montréal and established a new tripartite partnership agreement. This tripartite agreement consolidates the commitment of the three institutions to jointly engage in teaching, research, outreach, and shared services. The three institutions have also expressed their intention to jointly develop a sustainable, integrated campus, and enhance collaboration in administration and institutional matters. “We share a magnificent campus in the heart of a city whose name all three of us bear, and which helps define who we are,” said UMontréal Rector Daniel Jutras. “When we pool our strengths, we can move mountains for noble causes.”

OCAD University has received a renewed commitment of $1M over the next three years from the RBC Foundation. Part of this funding will be used to enhance the offerings of OCADU’s RBC Centre for Emerging Artists and Designers (RBC CEAD), which aims to boost the employability and entrepreneurial potential of students and recent graduates in the creative and cultural sectors. This renewed commitment will also contribute to the university’s RBC Continuing Studies Professional Skills Fund, which provides tuition relief for students pursuing continuing education in a variety of OCADU programs.

The Université du Québec à Montréal and Vancouver Island University have announced updated and redesigned programs. UQÀM will launch a Bachelor of Strategic Communication and Public Relations this fall that will replace its Bachelor of Public Relations. This revitalized program will also offer new specialization options in societal change and responsible corporate practices. VIU has redesigned its Jazz diploma program to immerse students in the life of a working musician. “From the moment you walk in the door, we treat you as a musician,” said VIU Music Department Chair Brent Jarvis. The revised program teaches students to compose, arrange, and produce music in a variety of styles and to market themselves using digital tools.

A University of Ottawa resident physician who was suspended in November says that he has been reinstated, but will not be returning to the university. CTV News reports that Dr Yipeng Ge was suspended after creating pro-Palestinian social media posts. “I feel incredibly harmed by this process, and I don’t know how to continue within this institution because of what’s happened,” Ge told CBC. Ge is reportedly considering transferring to another university.

The Atlantic Academic Union, which represents over 1,000 faculty and staff from the Nova Scotia Community College, has filed for conciliation. Negotiations between the college leadership and the union have reportedly been ongoing for six months, and union filed for conciliation last Friday after a final meeting with college leadership. “Union members are dealing with greater workplace and classroom challenges without the necessary tools, time or college support to do their jobs safely and effectively,” said Atlantic Academic Union President Barbara Gillis in a release, noting that there is also a growing number of students with mental health and learning challenges.