July 13, 2026

The Institut de tourisme et d’hôtellerie du Québec has received $63M from the Government of Québec to acquire a new hall dedicated to management and innovation. This will be the largest development project since ITHQ’s founding in 1968. “In recent years, we have earned the right to award university degrees, expanded our educational offerings, and developed our research activities,” explained ITHQ General Director Liza Furlla. “More than just a building, it will allow us to provide facilities conducive to active learning, research, and collaboration, while strengthening our contribution to a sector that is Québec’s fourth-largest economic driver.”

The Government of Alberta has announced a commitment of $50M over five years into the Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute. The investment will support AI applications that improve public services, help the workforce prepare for the jobs of the future, and strengthen health care. “Alberta’s universities and research institutions have made our province a global leader in AI,” said AB Minister of Advanced Education Myles McDougall. “As these skills become essential across the workforce, this investment in Amii ensures our students graduate ready to lead.” BetaKit reports that the investment constitutes half of all money invested by AB into Amii over the last 24 years, demonstrating the province’s increased attention to the AI sector.

A lawsuit has been filed against the University of Regina by former women’s basketball coach Jordan Webb. According to CBC, Webb claims that he was hired to lead the team in April 2026 and then wrongfully terminated due to “reasons which were entirely political, personal and/or gender related.” CBC and the Leader-Post report that the decision to hire Webb instead of interim coach Michaela Kleisinger for the full-time coaching role generated controversy in the university community. The university conducted a review of the hiring decision and ultimately opted to offer Kleisinger the role. Webb is reportedly seeking severance pay, punitive damages, costs, and interest.

Cégep de Drummondville’s Centre collégial d’expertise en gérontologie (CCEG) has received over $8.1M in funding from the Government of Québec to fund a new facility dedicated to gerontology research and knowledge mobilization. The facility will house participating public and private researchers as they work to improve the well-being of seniors domestically and internationally. Cégep de Drummondville CCEG directrice Marie-Ève Bédard called the announcement a turning point for the centre, with the new facility tripling the amount of space available to researchers.

The University of King’s College is seeking to reduce its workforce in light of financial challenges. U of King’s College VP Tim Currie told CTV News that the university aims to reduce its workforce by 14 employees in response to inflation, recruitment competition, and revenue challenges. To incentivize voluntary retirements, the university has launched a Workforce Adjustment Program. Currie explained that while the university hopes to avoid involuntary layoffs, employee interest in the program would determine the institution’s next steps.

Inside Higher Ed columnist Matt Reed recently highlighted the importance of a physical campus when it comes to fostering community relationships. He describes the popular use of campus spaces for corporate meetings, conferences, and youth summer camps, and points to opportunities associated with bringing alumni and local seniors on campus. Reed notes that institutions with a strong local alumni presence have a “home-field advantage” when it comes to fostering a robust, tight-knit, and supportive alumni network. Meanwhile, seniors present another opportunity: Reed notes that their high voting participation rate can make seniors political allies for institutions and that regular programming for seniors can draw significant crowds to campus. Reed concludes by encouraging readers to not forget the value of a physical campus.

Seneca Polytechnic has partnered with the City of Toronto, Toronto Fire Services, and Toronto Police Service to launch a Youth Community Academy. The academy will offer 40 Toronto high school students a two-month, paid experiential learning opportunity focused on firefighting and policing. The students will take part in classes, labs, and experiential learning opportunities on Seneca’s campuses, as well as weekly hands-on learning activities hosted by the Toronto Fire Services and the Toronto Police Service. “Students will have an opportunity to gain hands-on experience to develop the skills needed to work on the front lines of policing and firefighting – and earn credit they can apply to Seneca programs,” commented Seneca President David Agnew.

The Government of Canada and Government of the Northwest Territories have announced that they are investing nearly $860K to support the growth of the territory’s Francophone community. The funding will support a project that will expand access to and awareness of immigration information and pathways, as well as supporting the recognition of foreign credentials. “By helping more newcomers settle in and thrive across the country, we are stimulating economic growth while enhancing the vitality of Francophone communities,” said Canada Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations Rebecca Alty.

A recent article from Nature explores the outcomes of China’s first cohort of PhD candidates who are graduating with a “practical achievement” instead of a conventional written thesis. China passed a law in 2024 allowing doctoral candidates studying engineering to complete their PhD by creating an innovative product, technique, or project as part of a broader effort to overcome technological bottlenecks. Nature reporter Xiaoying You explains that this differs from similar “industrial PhD” programs in other countries in that these students are not expected to complete a written thesis as part of their studies. The author speaks to several graduates who shared their experience with these programs.

Seven Generations Education Institute has announced that it will be relocating its Sioux Lookout Campus. The campus has been delivering postsecondary programs, adult education, and Azhemiinigoziwin (Women’s Empowerment) programming in the Sioux Lookout region. SGEI CEO Brent Tookenay asserted that the move “reflects a strategic shift in where we deliver programming, not a permanent departure from Sioux Lookout.” The institution will continue to offer adult education programming in the area through its partnership with the Keewatin-Patricia District School Board.