July 10, 2026

McMaster University and the University of Toronto have joined Venture Ontario and venture capital firm Genesys Capital to create a seed fund for life science startups. The Genesys University Seed Fund will support startups that focus on current challenges in the health sector. It has already received $30M in commitments from the partners and external investors. U of T President Melanie A Woodin explained the reasoning for the creation of the fund, saying that Canada has “no shortage of ideas or talent,” but that “what we lack is the capital to scale them.” The universities plan to use their returns to fund additional research and innovation at their institutions, generating further investment opportunities for the fund.

The British Columbia Institute of Technology has launched the Digital Twin Innovation Hub, an applied research facility that will help evaluate new technologies before their deployment. This hub can simulate complex operational environments such as renewable energy systems. Industry partners can reduce uncertainty by working with researchers and students to evaluate and test their technologies before they are deployed. “The Digital Twin Innovation Hub helps organizations make more informed decisions about adopting new technologies while giving students experience solving real industry challenges,” said BCIT Associate VP, Academic Dr Justin Williams. “That combination strengthens both our economy and the skilled workforce needed to support the province’s energy systems and critical infrastructure.”

In a recent article for the evoLLLution, Elania Jackson (Concordia University Texas) argues that students want to see meaningful marketing rather than personalized marketing. Jackson writes that the personalization of consumer engagement has changed prospective students’ expectations, with students now wanting to feel like an institution “understands” them. The author argues for seeing personalization as a campus-wide commitment to learn about students with the aim of improving the student experience. “The future of recruitment is not simply sending more messages,” concludes Jackson. “Most students are already overwhelmed with messages. The future of recruitment is creating experiences that help students feel known.”

Fanshawe College and Caldwell First Nation (CFN) signed an agreement earlier this week to help adult band members complete postsecondary education. Signed alongside a similar agreement with the Greater Essex County District School Board at the secondary level, the partnership with Fanshawe will allow adult learners to contact CFN to begin the process of enrolling at the college. CFN Chief Nikki van Oirschot explained that the initiative has already seen strong demand. “Education is a powerful tool for strengthening our Nation and creating opportunities for future generations,” concluded van Oirschot.

Université de Sherbrooke and Bell have signed a memorandum of understanding that will see them collaborating on post-quantum cybersecurity, hybrid computing models, distributed data centre infrastructure, and talent development. Through the agreement, the two will explore how advanced computing environments and quantum systems and secure data infrastructure can be developed. They will also partner with Queen’s University to explore approaches for linking Canada’s high-performance computing environment with frontier quantum capabilities, which will support Canadian research. “[The partnership] also offers unique training opportunities for our students, who will develop at the heart of sectors that are strategic to the sustainable future of our society,” said USherbrooke Vice-President Partnerships and Knowledge Transfer Vincent Aimez.

Dalhousie University, Trent University, and the University of Prince Edward Island and the unions on their respective campuses have recently shared updates on their bargaining. Dal and PSAC Local 86001, which represents Post Doctoral Fellows, have reached a tentative agreement which now needs to be ratified by PSAC members and Dal’s board. At Trent, the university and OPSEU/SEFPO Local 365, representing staff, have agreed upon a new collective agreement which still must undergo ratification. Trent says that both sides have agreed that they will recommend the settlement to their members. UPEI and CUPE 1870, which represents the university’s administrative and support staff, have ratified their collective agreement. UPEI Associate VP, Human Resources Kelly Drummond explained that the negotiations process “really reinforced the strength of our collegial relationship.”

Bryn Williams-Jones (Université de Montréal) writes that while many students believe that following the curriculum and getting good grades is all one needs to be successful in university, playing the “academic game”—navigating the hidden rules and expectations of academia—is a necessary skill for success that is often discovered too late. Williams-Jones points to qualities such as intellectual initiative and creativity, saying that professors often incorrectly treat these as skills that will be acquired “by osmosis.” He explains that people with past experience with the postsecondary education sector will understand the implied rules of higher ed better than those without that experience. Williams-Jones writes that students should get involved and take intellectual risks, while professors should do more to level the playing field by making their expectations explicit.

Some St Clair College and University of Windsor students are struggling to find housing for this Fall, according to CBC. CBC references Statistics Canada data that indicates that Windsor’s average one-bedroom rental rate was more than $1,500 per month in June 2026, representing a 62% increase over 2019. Representatives from the University of Windsor Students’ Alliance and the St Clair College Student Representative Council added that students have experienced issues like fraudulent listings and poor living conditions. Windsor City Councillor Frazier Fathers, who represents the area encompassing UWindsor, said that there was “no silver bullet” to the issue, but suggested that the city could investigate creating campus districts like those seen at other universities in the province.

The University of Regina is planning to redevelop a 13 hectare plot it has been leasing to the South Zone Community Garden for the past 40 years. South Zone Community Garden Association President Dale Hjertaas noted that the university has been generous to offer it the land for free for so long. “Five hectares of land for nothing for 40 years is a huge gift,” said Hjertaas. URegina told CBC that the redevelopment is part of a “broader strategy to diversify revenue streams, ensuring sustainable growth” and that it is exploring commercial and residential uses. URegina is reportedly negotiating with a third-party vendor regarding plans for the site.

Sheridan College has announced that its Honours Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) has received accreditation from the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB). This three-year accreditation will enable program graduates to become licensed as professional engineers. “This accomplishment is the result of the collective dedication and collaboration of our faculty, staff, students, alumni and industry partners, and a testament to the strength of our engineering community and our commitment to continuous improvement,” said Sheridan Associate Dean of the Faculty of Applied Science and Technology Dr Amjed Majeed.