January 25, 2024

A recent article from The Pie News discusses the impact of the federal government’s policy changes on public-private partnerships (PPPs) in Ontario’s education sector. Students at these campuses will no longer be eligible for post-graduate work permits, which affects the viability of PPPs. At least 14 colleges in Ontario are reportedly engaged in PPPs, as of 2023. The Pie reports that it is unclear what will happen to these partnerships, which contribute significantly to the financial wellbeing of several of these colleges. Several Ontario college leaders have also spoken to the press to decry the recent policy changes: Fleming College President Maureen Adamson identified several adverse human and economic impacts the policy changes could have, while Sault College President David Orazietti called the changes “reckless” and told Northern Ontario Business that they will negatively impact the college’s finances.

As the University of Regina continues to investigate alleged cases of academic misconduct, it has shared further insights on the factors contributing to this growing issue. URegina spokesperson Paul Dederick told CTV News that the number of reported academic integrity concerns in all faculties has increased in recent years. “One contributing factor academic officials are finding is that some students who completed the majority of their high school during the pandemic, […] are not as experienced with formal exam regulations,” said Dederick. “Improper use of artificial intelligence tools is another factor leading to an increase in academic misconduct concerns.”

The five members of parliament who questioned Canadian universities about the measures in place to address antisemitism say that they are satisfied with what they heard. MPs Anthony Housefather, David Lametti, Marco Mendicino, Anna Gainey, and Ben Carr canvassed the leaders of several Canadian universities after receiving concerned messages from Jewish students and faculty. Housefather indicated that “all 27 confirmed that a call for the genocide of Jews violates their codes of conduct, irrespective of context.” Lametti added that while the “quality of responses varied,” the “vast majority of universities provided detailed and comprehensive responses.”

Marketing and communications offices at postsecondary institutions will be increasingly pushed to consider how the use of artificial intelligence (AI) could fit into their work, writes Lee Gardner for the Chronicle of Higher Ed. The author discusses the increased need for college marketers to boost engagement, often without the budget increases necessary for hiring, which makes the adoption of AI seem like a potential solution. Gardner speaks with marketing and communications leaders from a variety of institutions who offer insight on how they perceive and use AI in their work. While some marketers said that they are leveraging AI to support content and idea generation, others are questioning if the oft-generic messaging created by AI is useful when postsecondary institutions need to differentiate themselves. While adopting AI may seem intimidating, some marketers also noted that those not using the technology may be introduced to it as it is integrated into common software platforms.

The Law Society of Manitoba is hoping to disbar former University of Manitoba law dean Jonathan Black-Branch, whose behaviours–including filing “questionable” expense claims–were categorized as fraudulent in December. A University of Manitoba spokesperson said that the university is “now in the preliminary stages of pursuing legal action” to recover the funds. The Law Society argues that Black-Branch should be disbarred to protect the public and is additionally seeking $36K to cover costs associated with a recent disciplinary hearing and compensation for its investigation of written documents.

The tenants of a McMaster University residence will be temporarily moved into a hotel in while the issues with the building’s water system are addressed. The building has had issues with poor water quality since late last year. A “full-building chlorination process” will take place to clean the water supply pipes, plumbing, and fixtures; some hardware in the units will also be cleaned and replaced. McMaster will cover the cost for tenants to spend five nights in a hotel, including funds for food and transportation.

Can videos of graduates improve the retention of college engineering students? A group of researchers from the US sought to answer this question by conducting a study of approximately 500 engineering students. The researchers studied how social media role models could help address the high attrition rate of postsecondary engineering programs, a rate that is particularly high among minoritized groups. They found that engineering students who viewed videos of engineering program alumni from minoritized backgrounds and completed a reflection exercise had higher course grades and a greater likelihood of enrolling in engineering courses in subsequent terms than the control group. The impact was particularly strong among women. The researchers concluded that social media could be used to reduce attrition and foster positive STEM outcomes for minoritized college students.

Keyano College and the Université de Québec à Trois-Rivières have unveiled new eSports facilities. Keyano recently celebrated the grand opening of its SMG eSports Arena, which features 26 computers and three console stations that are outfitted with Sony PlayStation 5s and Nintendo Switches. UQTR recently opened a high-performance gaming room on the third floor of the Ringuet pavilion. The facility contains 14 computers, two giant screens, and ergonomic furniture to support the university’s eSports teams and facilitate collaboration opportunities with academic departments.

Capilano University and the Sea to Sky School District have signed a memorandum of understanding that will create new and enriched learning opportunities for learners in the Sea to Sky corridor. The parties will establish pathways for high school graduates and other learners to pursue postsecondary education near to home; they will also explore opportunities in reconciliation, equity and inclusion, professional development, and labour market needs. “We look forward to working together to enhance educational opportunities for students right here in Sea to Sky country,” said Sea to Sky SD Superintendent Chris Nicholson.

Several postsecondary institutions have recently announced collaborations with industry partners that will advance research and learning opportunities. Carleton University has partnered with Virica Biotech Inc to bolster talent development in the Ottawa region. Under this partnership, Virica will open a new facility at the university, expanding its bioprocessing services and providing experiential learning opportunities for students. Laurentian University and Vale Base Metals have struck a funding agreement that will see the latter provide $960K over five years to support research at the institution’s Cooperative Freshwater Ecology Unit. Southeast College has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with PTRC Sustainable Energy to enable the development and delivery of a Renewable Energy Training program and facilitate joint research projects related to energy and sustainability.