July 15, 2024

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research and its partners are providing $11.6M to 15 research teams and an Evidence Support and Knowledge Mobilization Hub in order to support health workforce research, planning, and data. This funding—which is part of a broader $47M federal investment into the health workforce—will researchers as they investigate ways to strengthen Canada’s health workforce and meet the challenges facing the sector. Recipients of the funding include researchers from Athabasca University, McMaster University, Memorial University, Toronto Metropolitan University, Université de Montréal, the University of Alberta, the University of Calgary, the University of Northern British Columbia, and the University of Toronto.

Thanks to funding from the Government of British Columbia, Okanagan College and Simon Fraser University are constructing new student housing options. Both projects will use mass timber and pursue compliance with provincial energy or zero-carbon codes. Okanagan’s residence—which is expected to open on the Penticton in Fall 2026—will include 101 student beds in 89 units. Okanagan President Neil Fassina stated that the new student housing building will enable students in Osoyoos to attend postsecondary without having to commute every day. SFU is constructing an eight-storey, 445-bed student housing project at its Burnaby campus that will also include a childcare centre. Construction is expected to be completed in Fall 2027.

A new report called “Need Not Apply” from the Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA) details the hidden barriers that exist for Canadian students who need to access financial aid to pursue postsecondary studies. CASA found that certain student demographic groups—such as students with disabilities or those with dependents—face disproportionate barriers to attaining student financial aid. The study authors conclude that the Canada Student Financial Aid program must undergo significant reform to reflect students’ lived realities. “With 1 in 2 Canadian students relying on either Canada Student Grants or Loans to help fund their education each year, CASA calls on [Employment and Social Development Canada] to address concerns with the program’s assessment criteria to better ensure it is fully accessible to all students,” said CASA Chair Nelson Chukwuma.

Sheridan College has announced that its Honours Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical Engineering) degree has received accreditation from the Canadian Engineering Accreditation Board (CEAB). With the accreditation, graduates will be able to gain licensure as a professional engineer in Canada. “We are elated that our graduates are better positioned to compete for the top jobs in the sector and, in parallel, work towards their professional engineering designation,” said Sheridan Faculty of Applied Science & Technology Dean Dr Elizabeth Fabbroni. Sheridan says it is the first Ontario college program of its kind to receive CEAB accreditation.

Alex Walters of the Chronicle of Higher Education has profiled an initiative at Morehouse College in the US that will introduce AI-powered teaching assistants (TAs) to the classroom this Fall. Morehouse, which reportedly does not have TAs, wanted to offer students the opportunity to ask questions around the clock in a low-pressure environment. To do this, the college is using AI-powered TAs that are designed to resemble the class professor’s individual physical appearance and demeanor. The AI TA can answer questions, reteach lessons for classes that a student misses, and redirect students back to the course at hand if they attempt to ask questions that are off-topic. Walters concludes by touching on Morehouse’s past efforts to create a virtual learning space and how the AI TA builds on the learnings of those efforts.

The University of Saskatchewan and St Peter’s College (SPC) are partnering to bring the university’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program to Muenster. SPC previously offered a pre-professional year of nursing, but students needed to transfer to USask to complete their BSN. Students can now complete their entire degree at SPC, allowing learners from east central Saskatchewan to study closer to home. “At SPC, nursing students will have access to classrooms, study spaces, a dedicated lab with beds and simulation equipment, and for those who require housing, St Peter’s has residence and meal plans available,” said SPC President Rob Harasymchuk.

Kativik Ilisarniliriniq recently told the Local Journalism Initiative that additional discussions are required to iron out the details of McGill’s new tuition initiative. Under this initiative, McGill will cover the full costs of tuition for Indigenous students from nearby Mohawk communities. However, Kativik Ilisarniliriniq pointed out that Indigenous students from other communities, including Nunavimmiut, are only included if they are enrolled in McGill’s school of social work, school of continuing studies, or the office of First Nations and Indigenous education. McGill stated that the tuition waiver is the “first phase” of a broader effort and that it plans to take “concrete steps toward the provision of waivers of tuition and mandatory fees for all Indigenous students.”

The University College of the North will launch a Level 1 Common Core Heavy Duty/Truck and Transport/Agricultural Technician program in Thompson this Fall. This training is available for registered level 1 apprentices who are specializing in the heavy-duty equipment, truck and transport, or agricultural sectors. It is designed to address Manitoba’s need for skilled professionals in these sectors. “This training will enhance the skill set of apprentices in the region and contribute significantly to Manitoba’s economy,” said UCN AVP of Community & Industry Solutions Jamie Grant. “It will grow a workforce ready to meet the demands of essential industries.”

University of King’s College President William Lahey recently issued a public response to the demands of several student and protest groups. Lahey explains that the university’s Responsible Investing Policy—which was adopted in 2021—already addresses investment and transparency. While admitting that the university has not fully complied with this policy in the past, Lahey describes the steps that the institution has recently taken—such as divesting from weapons manufacturing and publishing its list of investments—to ensure compliance. Lahey identifies the demands that UKing’s College will not act on and explains the conflicts that acting on these demands would create for academic freedom and freedom of expression.

In an article for The Conversation, Harini P Aiyer (University of Saskatchewan) argues that medical schools must be socially accountable and responsive to the needs of their communities. Aiyer discusses the social justice element of social accountability, describing how this mandate must be fulfilled through authentic community engagement. Authentic community engagement requires the creation of intentional channels of feedback between the community and medical school, Aiyer explains. Creating a central database to track ongoing community partnerships and interactions can support this endeavor. “When schools become responsive to the needs of the communities they serve, they address the barriers to health encountered by different equity-deserving populations with unique health needs and bolster public trust,” concludes Aiyer.