Top Ten News

Jan 29, 2025 • SK

The University of Saskatchewan’s Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) has received $24M from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) to lead pandemic preparedness research. VIDO will use this funding to continue developing its pan-sarbecovirus vaccine, which is designed to protect against different types of coronaviruses. VIDO and CEPI will also ensure that the project results are published in an open access format to benefit the global scientific community. “By focusing on broadly protective coronavirus vaccines, we are taking a critical step toward safeguarding humanity against future pandemics,” said VIDO Director Volker Gerdts. “Collaboration like this underscores the importance of international partnerships in developing innovative solutions to complex health threats.”

USask, CEPI

Top Ten News

Jan 29, 2025 • ON

St Lawrence College will be suspending 55 program intakes beginning Spring 2025. These programs include postsecondary credential programs in areas such as business administration, general arts and science, and hospitality, as well as apprenticeship programs. The college states that this suspension represents approximately 40% of its programming. “Since January of last year, a series of federal government policy decisions have drastically affected our ability to grow and operate as usual,” stated SLC President Glenn Vollebregt. “Many of the changes were short-sighted and did not consider what makes colleges, the regions that we serve, and our students unique.” Vollebregt asserted that the college is committed to maintaining a presence in the communities it serves.

SLC, CTV News

Top Ten News

Jan 29, 2025 • National

Several postsecondary institutions are welcoming the Year of the Snake with Lunar New Year celebrations. At Brock University, students participated in a panel discussion and games. Dalhousie University’s International Centre organized events like fortune telling, a mahjong night, and make-your-own dumplings workshop. Kwantlen Polytechnic University is hosting a calligraphy workshop and bubble tea and waffle giveaways at its celebration, while Niagara College is holding a Lunar New Year Dinner. Toronto Metropolitan University alumni shared their must-watch Lunar New Year films and Vancouver Community College hosted festivities at its Downtown and Broadway campuses. Vancouver Island University is giving away red envelopes with chocolates, which symbolize good luck and well wishes for the year ahead.

Brock, Dal, KPU, Niagara, TMU  , VCC , VIU  

Top Ten News

Jan 29, 2025 • NB

Beal University–a private institution in Maine–has officially opened its New Brunswick Campus at the Sackville Memorial Hospital. The site offers a Bachelor of Science in Nursing program that can be completed in 30 months through a combination of online learning and on-site instruction. The 10,000-square-foot campus includes simulation labs, a virtual reality classroom, and a learning resource centre. “This is a huge journey forward in an innovative, educational model,” said NB Health Minister John Dornan. Beal gained conditional approval for the program in 2023.

CBC, CTV News

Top Ten News

Jan 29, 2025 • NL

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has unveiled a range of measures to support the province’s paramedicine services. These include a tuition relief program for students in primary care paramedic and advanced care paramedic programs, an educational travel subsidy, and a skills advancement program. The province also announced several efforts devoted to improving working conditions for paramedicine professionals. “By making it easier for emergency responders to get advanced training and by ensuring the mental health supports are available to them, we can ensure paramedics are able to support residents of the province,” said NL Minister of Health and Community Services John Hogan.

NL

Top Ten News

Jan 29, 2025 • QC, SK

Several postsecondary institutions have recently launched new research chairs. Université TÉLUQ has created a Canada Research Chair focused on AI and suicide prevention, which will be held by Professor Wassim Bouachir. The chair’s research will combine the use of AI and psychology to mitigate suicidal behaviour. McGill University and the Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières are jointly spearheading a research chair in democracy, living together, and common values. The chair will be co-led by UQTR Professor Mireille Lalancette and McGill Professor Éric Bélanger. The University of Saskatchewan has appointed Dr Camille Partin as the inaugural Shklanka Chair in Precambrian Critical Mineral Systems. In this role, Partin will study the geological systems and minerals vital to the green economy.

QC (TÉLUQ), UQTR, USask

Top Ten News

Jan 29, 2025 • ON

Trent University has officially unveiled the Trent Teaching Commons (TTC), which is the result of a merger between the Centre of Teaching and Learning and Trent Online. TTC supports instructors with improving their pedagogy for both online and in-person teaching. Its offerings include one-on-one consultations, faculty workshops and training sessions, guidelines and aids for using generative AI, and resources for integrating Indigenous Knowledge and Pedagogies into the curriculum. “The Trent Teaching Commons will be a welcoming space to support and recognize effective teaching, infuse Indigenous ways of thinking and doing into how we teach, design human centric digital learning experiences, and research and develop effective teaching practices,” said Trent School of Education Acting Dean Fergal O’Hagan.

Trent

Top Ten News

Jan 29, 2025 • International

In a recent article for the National Post, SSHRC President Ted Hewitt examines the impact of political polarization on discussions surrounding government-funded research. Hewitt highlights some of the polarized perspectives on topics related to academic research funding, including the value of research and what topics warrant research. Addressing this polarization requires strong affirmation and support of academic freedom on university campuses. Hewitt concludes by emphasizing the need to uphold research funding within the framework of scholarly academic freedom and expert review. “Only by exploring all sides of the issues and questions that confront us across a broad spectrum of interests can we best put knowledge to work for all Canadians,” writes Hewitt.

National Post

Top Ten News

Jan 29, 2025 • AB

Keyano College’s decision to repurpose its arts centre space for health programming has received pushback from the local performing arts community. According to CBC, Keyano requires dedicated infrastructure for its growing health programs. Since the college has not offered programs in art, drama, or music since 2014, it has opted to repurpose its arts centre space to meet this need. Members of the performing arts community told CBC that the loss of the arts centre would negatively impact the community, as it is the only facility of its kind in the region. Keyano Spokesperson Ercelan Yazdani stated that the college remains “committed to supporting the arts” through the Keyano Theatre.

CBC

Top Ten News

Jan 29, 2025 • QC

Last weekend, more than 400 engineering students from 20 universities across Canada competed in Canada’s Great Northern Concrete Toboggan Race in Terrebonne, Québec. The event is reportedly one of North America’s largest and longest running competitions for engineering students and this year’s event was hosted by Concordia University. At the event, teams of students designed and built toboggans with concrete running surfaces. The sleds were required to weigh less than 350 pounds, carry five teammates, and be equipped with a working break and steering system. Competitors were judged on their abilities in design, project management, safety, and spirit. City News reports that it was ultimately the team from the University of Toronto that slid into victory.

Concordia, City News, City News (Video)