January 28, 2026

The Central Alberta Collegiate Institute—a collaboration between Red Deer Polytechnic, Olds College of Agriculture & Technology, regional school divisions, and the not-for-profit CAREERS—has opened a new learning space on RDP’s campus. Through this new learning space, dual credit middle and high school learners will be able to develop their hands-on skills and access mentorship and career coaching. “Through our CACI partnership, we are preparing students for in-demand careers in the skilled trades while addressing a vital need in Alberta’s labour market,” said RDP VP, Academic and Student Experience Lindsay Engel.

Georgian College has officially become an affiliate member of the Canadian Nuclear Association. As an affiliate, Georgian will have access to sector and workforce research, national events and webinars, and a network of nuclear employers and partners. The two partners will also explore opportunities to expand experiential learning opportunities, support applied research, and raise awareness of nuclear and clean energy careers among youth and underrepresented groups. “This partnership connects our students and apprentices to one of the country’s fastest-growing sectors, combining Georgian’s hands-on learning with CNA’s national insight to create long-term careers in the nuclear sector while strengthening communities,” explained Georgian President Kevin Weaver.

The Université du Québec à Montréal’s board of directors has approved the creation of four new strategic chairs. The chairs are each focused on research in a different area—special education and training, economics, sexology, and theatre—and chairholders will serve three-year terms. Goals of these chairs will be, respectively, to research inequalities facing immigrant families in the school environment; career trajectories and inequalities faced from birth to adulthood in QC; the effects of sexual technology on intimacy and relations; and artistic practices on the promotion of mental health and well-being.

Six Nations Polytechnic has announced that it will launch a two-year Early Childhood Education diploma program in Fort Erie this Fall. The program follows Niagara College’s ECE curriculum and contains additional Haudenosaunee and Indigenous ways of Knowing, Teaching, and Learning. Students will have access to supports from both Niagara College and SNP as a part of the program. Students will supplement their in-class learning with placements in the region in environments including EarlyON centres and kindergarten and preschool classrooms. SNP Senior Associate Dean of Community Services and SNP Field Placement Specialist Carrie Washburn said that the high demand and accessibility of the Fort Erie program will lead to strong outcomes for students.

Yukon University and Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in have partnered to launch a 12-month land- and community-based bridging program. This program provides learners with a flexible, student-led opportunity to “choose their own trail” in a culturally grounded and supportive environment where they will receive guidance from Elders, mentors, and knowledge holders. Learners can work towards a variety of goals, including earning their GED or driver’s licence, developing practical or survival skills, or exploring cultural and artistic pathways. The program’s curriculum will be shaped by each cohort and will change over time to ensure relevance to learners.

Lyceum Education Group, a new parent brand uniting 11 market-facing education companies, has officially launched. Collectively, Lyceum will act as the parent brand for a variety of education providers in Australia, Canada, Europe, and the UK, supporting learning organizations that include Acsenda School of Management, Arbutus College, and Sprott Shaw College. Each of these organizations will continue to operate as individual entities in the market, according to Ed Tech Innovation Hub. Lyceum and the companies under it will serve 132,000 learners around the world.

The Cégep de Granby has joined several institutions across the province by offering École des Grands, a free mentorship program for elementary school students. Run by Cégep de Granby students on Saturday mornings from February to the end of April, the program will provide vulnerable students with a space to get homework help in French and mathematics and/or take part in science and computer workshops. Cégep de Granby directrice de la vie étudiante Isabelle Giard explained that the cégep supports the program because it provides students with the power to be a positive influence. Cégep de Granby’s inaugural edition of the program will welcome students from the nearby école primaire Sainte-Famille.

Mount Saint Vincent University has launched its first Strategic Enrolment Management plan. The plan will serve as a roadmap for the university on the fronts of enrolment, retention, and graduation over the next five years. The work will be led by MSVU Manager of Strategic Enrolment Management Initiatives Dr Marisha Caswell. “No matter what department we’re in, SEM gives us a chance to think about policies, programs, and decisions with one goal in mind: putting students and their experiences at the centre,” explained MSVU VP Administration Isabelle Nault. “SEM isn’t about doing more. […] It’s about doing things differently, together.”

The University of Calgary’s Students’ Union is pushing for the expansion of the university’s MacEwan Student Centre building. Students’ Union President Naomie Bakana said that the centre was last expanded in 2002 when there were around 20,000 undergraduate students enrolled. With the university’s increased enrolment of roughly 38,000 and plans to grow by an additional 10,000 students by 2030, Bakana explained the space is “getting cramped.” The union will include a referendum question on the March election ballots to ask students if they would be willing to pay a laddered additional fee to fund the proposed redevelopment. Bakana said that if the referendum fails, the union will consider other ways to expand student services.

Fleming College’s Practical Nursing program is now offering Hy-Flex delivery in addition to its existing full-time and part-time formats to provide learners with greater flexibility. The Hy-Flex model allows learners to complete coursework online and participate in practical experiences through their choice of either Fleming’s weekend labs or placements close to home. “Our Hy-Flex delivery option expands access to nursing education in Ontario by removing geographical barriers, while maintaining the necessary hands-on training that is essential to learning correct patient care practices,” said Fleming Associate VP Health Nick Stone.