January 8, 2026

The Polytechnic Institute of Northern Canada has received five-year accreditation and a five-year certificate of registration, authorizing it to operate as a Private Training Institution in the Northwest Territories. Now that it is accredited, PINC says that it will shift its focus to program delivery, expanding access to education, and supporting community partnerships and Indigenous-centred learning. “This authorization affirms the academic integrity, quality assurance, and institutional vision that guide our work,” said PINC President Dr Chehrazade Aboukinane. “It strengthens our ability to deliver high-quality, career-focused education tailored to the realities and opportunities of the North.”

The Government of British Columbia revoked Pacific Link College’s certification in late 2025 and advised affected students to apply for a tuition refund. The closure happened after provincial inspectors found that the college had misled international students about the programs and work placements it offered and after multiple students alleged that PLC had required participation in a political campaign for course credit. Students told the Vancouver Sun that they were disappointed with the quality of education. One Voice Canada founder Balraj Kahlon said that getting tuition back will be difficult. Cambria College announced that it is offering PLC students the opportunity to enter and transfer credits to two programs.

Brandon University has adopted a new appeal process for students looking for a higher course mark, reports Winnipeg Free Press. Under this policy, students can challenge grades if they believe they were miscalculated or “graded inappropriately,” and can take their grievance to the department chair and then dean if unsatisfied. Applicants must also prepare an appeal package to share if they escalate the grievance to the dean’s office. The Winnipeg Free Press reports that some employees have given the policy mixed reviews, with one explaining that instructors are not given a chance to justify the grade they gave or refute a dean’s decision.

Concordia University recently celebrated the launch of a representative office of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM) on its campus. This office will expand opportunities related to student exchange, training, and collaborative research between Québec and Mexico. It is also expected to be a hub for cross-border initiatives. “Having their representative here at Concordia allows us to deepen existing collaborations, create new pathways for students and faculty and build a model of international partnership that benefits both communities,” said Concordia Associate VP, International William Cheaib.

The University of Winnipeg launched its Anishinaabemowin Language Program (ALP) this week. Funded by the Government of Manitoba, the program contains 15 hours per week of immersion in the language. Students in the program will also share meals, take part in events with the Anishinaabe-speaking community, and connect through conversation with an assigned mentor. UWinnipeg ALP Coordinator Aandeg Muldrew told CTV News that the program seeks to bridge the gap that was created when past generations were unable to pass down the language.

Postsecondary institutions in British Columbia and beyond are facing a “financial reckoning” that is reshaping how Canadians learn, work, and access opportunities, writes Natasha Mrkic-Subotic (Capilano University). Mrkic-Subotic explains the factors that have brewed over the years to create the current crisis began to brew years ago. As the consequences of this become clear, the author argues that innovation will take place under pressure with changes such as a move toward modular learning, digital and platform partnerships, and the use of AI to enhance teaching and student support. “With coherent policy, funding and guardrails, Canada can build a more accessible, resilient, future-ready system,” writes Mrkic-Subotic. “Without them, disruption will deepen inequities and hasten decline.”

Red Deer Polytechnic has received $1.5M from the Joyce Family Foundation that will create an endowment to fund student financial awards. The endowment will be used to o support the creation of a bursary, which will be awarded to full-time students who are embarking on their first postsecondary program and who have demonstrated perseverance in overcoming personal challenges. “These funds will help eliminate financial barriers and ensure that more students can continue to access postsecondary education, participating in job-ready education, training, and applied research opportunities while attending RDP,” said RDP VP Development and Partnerships Patrick Machacek.

Humber Polytechnic has launched what it calls a one-of-a-kind partnership with Paragon Security that will guarantee employment for all graduates of its Protection, Security and Investigation (PSI) program. Humber describes the pipeline as different from that of apprenticeships because it will be directly facilitated by Paragon. “Our partnership with Humber’s PSI program is more than a hiring pipeline – it’s an investment in the future of professional security,” said Paragon Security VP HR and Training Robert Bartlett. Humber and Paragon are working over the next year to finalize the details of the process.

Dozens of master’s and doctoral students in Gaza are unable to leave for Canada due to visa processing issues, according to the Palestinian Students and Scholars at Risk Network. Riman Rezeq, who hopes to attend the University of Alberta, described it as a “chicken and egg situation,” explaining that she is unable to leave Gaza without submitting biometric requirements, but that there are no existing facilities in Gaza to submit them. IRCC stated that all prospective students must meet the set immigration requirements before travelling to Canada, and that some applicants are facing increased permit processing times. The not-for-profit organization told CTV News that several prospective students have been able to leave Gaza but still await visa approval from IRCC.

In a new article for The evoLLLution, Robert Ubell (New York University) reflects on his career in higher ed and hurdles with technology. Ubell describes himself as often feeling like “an alien in a foreign country” when it comes to the language of technology, sometimes being stumped by routine technical obstacles. He goes on to explain that despite this, his career has been heavily intertwined with technology, having worked on digital journal contracts and led online education at two institutions. Ubell discusses the experience of tech anxiety and highlights some ways that other “technophobes” can lean on tech-savvy allies to build their knowledge and their confidence.