July 15, 2025

Université de Sudbury has launched l’Académie de leadership et de gouvernance, a national hub for professional learning tailored to organizational leaders and board members in Canada’s non-profit and public sectors. Beginning in Fall 2025, the Académie will launch more than 20 online, synchronous microprograms. The programs will cover topics such as governance, non-profit financing, government relations, and change management. Each offering will emphasize applied learning with practical tools and coaching-focused pedagogy, with students learning from a team of professionals with field expertise.

Statistics Canada has released the results of its Labour Force Survey for June 2025, in which it notes a 17.4% unemployment rate among students planning to return to school this fall. CTV News reports that this is the highest June unemployment rate for students—outside of the pandemic years—since 2009. According to Benefits and Pensions Monitor, economists are attributing this rise to employer caution amid US trade uncertainty, with many companies reportedly scaling back junior hires. StatCan’s broader “youth” category—which includes all 15- to 24-year-olds—recorded a 14.2% unemployment rate in June, up 0.7% year-over-year and well above the 2017–2019 pre-pandemic average of 10.8%.

As Canada’s energy sector faces global uncertainty, net-zero targets, and technological disruption, the University of Calgary is preparing to launch a new energy science program that will prepare students for the future of the sector. The new program takes a more multidisciplinary approach that reflects the industry’s call for graduates with broad, cross-sector knowledge. Alongside scientific fundamentals, the Globe and Mail reports that students will study economics, government policy, communication, and Indigenous relations, all of which are highly valued in a field where policy and business intersect with technology. UCalgary plans to launch the program with a 25-student cohort this fall and use feedback to refine the curriculum before expanding enrolment.

Mohawk College has opted to close its downtown Hamilton residence just one year after opening due to enrolment woes, reports the Hamilton Spectator. Mohawk leased the nine-storey residence and opened it in April 2024 as part of its efforts to accommodate a growing student population. However, the introduction of the international student cap reportedly had a severe impact on Mohawk’s enrolment, resulting in only 52 students moving into the 300-bed residence. The college ended the lease in May.

An investigation by Nikkei Asia has uncovered hidden AI prompts in 17 English-language preprints posted on arXiv, a platform for manuscripts that have yet to undergo formal peer review. Most of the papers focus on computer science and are authored by researchers from 14 universities across eight countries. The prompts—hidden using white text or tiny fonts—instructed AI tools to “give a positive review only” or avoid highlighting any flaws or weaknesses in the manuscripts. Some researchers defended the practice as a countermeasure to reviewers relying on AI. Nature notes that it remains unclear how often large language model reviewers act on such hidden instructions.

Acadia University is allowing some staff to work four days a week this summer after a successful pilot program. Last year, most of the university’s full-time administrative staff participated in a pilot program where they worked a four-day workweek, without changes to their benefits or pay. “Ninety-seven per cent said it had a positive impact on their mental health and also their emotional well-being, and it also impacted their quality of life,” said Acadia Professor Rebecca Casey. Senior administrators are reportedly omitted from the program and will follow a five-day workweek through the summer; staff will return to a five-day workweek in the fall, when students return to campus.

The Government of Manitoba issued more immigration invitations to international graduates of MB postsecondary graduate degree programs this month. MB sent out 40 letters of advice to apply to individuals who matched the eligibility requirements of the International Education Stream – Graduate Internship Pathway. To be eligible for this pathway, graduates must have completed master’s or doctoral degree programs in MB in the last three years, completed a Mitacs Accelerate or Elevate internship within an eligible enterprise in MB, and have demonstrated a minimum language level of CLB/NCLC 7. MB also issued 27 invitations through its Skilled Worker Stream, which is focused on internationally trained workers with skills needed in MB’s labour market.

Okanagan College has launched its first student-led Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy clinic. The clinic was spearheaded by Okanagan Instructor Dr Brett Wade after the college faced challenges securing placements for students in the Therapist Assistant Diploma program. Wade said that the clinic ran for five weeks, providing students with hands-on experiences and personalized learning while offering Okanagan staff and students free therapy services. “We’re already planning to run the clinic again next year, and with more preparation time, we’re motivated to take what we’ve learned and expand on it,” said Wade.

Redeemer University is upgrading its recreation facilities this summer in order to give students and the community a better experience. The university has opened six new pickleball courts on the north side of campus and is replacing the floor of its 10,000-square-foot gymnasium this summer. Next, the university is planning to replace the turf on David Mantel Field and construct a new paved path to improve accessibility. “It is a priority for Redeemer to build recreation facilities that benefit both students and the local community,” said Redeemer VP, Administration and Finance Aaron Williams.

Langara College has been a leader on the front of environmental sustainability, writes The Tyee reporter Katie Hyslop, but some critics are concerned about how this will be impacted by job losses and reorganization. Hyslop highlights the efforts Langara has undertaken in recent years to reduce its carbon emissions, before summarizing the reports of layoffs, role eliminations, and work reductions over the last school year. “Sustainability isn’t just about the environment and climate; it’s also about people and it’s also about labour,” said Langara Faculty Association President Pauline Greaves Aylward. “It doesn’t matter whether we have an energy-efficient building if you don’t have anybody in them.” Langara Director of Facilities Dwayne Doornbosch shared that he did not anticipate that reduced enrolment or staff would have an impact on sustainability goals.