July 15, 2026

The Université du Québec en Outaouais has received a $70M commitment from the Government of Québec toward the university’s health centre. The health centre will increase the university’s capacity to train students across a variety of health disciplines including nutrition, speech therapy, and psychology. UQO rectrice Murielle Laberge explained that the centre will allow more students to study in their communities while also enabling the institution to respond to increased enrolment demand. Construction on the building hosting the centre is expected to begin in early 2028, with completion by Fall 2030.

Okanagan College has received $1.5M from the Government of British Columbia in support of the launch of two new health care training programs. The college will be launching a new Medical Laboratory Technologist program and a Medical Laboratory Assistant program in order to address workforce shortages. The fund will be used to support the development and delivery of the programs, including securing the necessary specialized equipment and instructional resources. The programs will begin in September 2027.

McMaster University’s Faculty of Social Sciences has launched the School of Integrated Social Sciences (SISS). The new school brings together the university’s Globalization, Public Policy, and Social Psychology programs while maintaining the unique identities of each program. After the school is created, it will focus on developing the academic community through opportunities such as research seminars, public events, and collaborative projects. “Ultimately, success will mean a school that is more connected, inventive, and consequential,” said McMaster SISS Acting Director Clifton van der Linden.

The National Association of Career Colleges and the Ontario Institute of Health and Innovation have forged an articulation agreement for students who are interested in working in early childhood education. Through the agreement, graduates of the NACC Certified Early Childhood Assistant programs will be able to enter OIHI’s Early Childhood Education Diploma Program. Eligible students can have their prior learning recognized with credit for up to seven academic modules and advanced standing. “This agreement is really about recognizing the hard work students have already put in, and making it easier for them to start their careers,” said NACC CEO Michael Sangster.

The Université du Québec à Montréal has received $1.7M from the Government of Québec for the ALÉA-Climat project. This project focuses on supporting climate change adaptation efforts across the province by obtaining more relevant and robust climate data. It will also support the development of the Modèle régional canadien du climat de sixième génération-Global Environmental Multiscale Model, which will improve how local climate phenomena are represented. ALÉA-Climat will support QC’s green economy plan with scientific knowledge and tools, while also helping to train specialists who will work in climate modeling and science.

Loyalist College is reportedly responding to a college-wide technical issue. Earlier this week, the college reported a campus-wide outage that impacted its systems, services, internet, and email. Quinte News reports that the outage was caused by a cyberthreat from an outside source that took the college’s systems down. In-person classes are continuing as scheduled, but the college has cancelled all online classes until further notice. InQuinte reports that staff are working to restore systems as soon as possible.

Fairleigh Dickinson University Vancouver and labour market intelligence firm BioTalent Canada have announced a partnership to support workforce development in British Columbia’s life sciences sector. The partners will use their combined skills to explore opportunities to connect students, educators, and employers. “By working with FDU Vancouver, we can help create practical pathways between learning and employment while supporting students, employers and communities through industry-informed talent development,” explained BioTalent President Rob Henderson.

In a recent article for Inside Higher Ed, Matt Reed discusses the challenges associated with creating programs that will meet student preferences. Reed explains that it can be disappointing when programs that are designed in alignment with employer needs are cancelled due to low enrolment, but asserts that this signals that students are going to higher ed for more reasons than their future career. The author emphasizes the various purposes that colleges fulfilling, including preparing students personally for where they want to go. Reed concludes by writing that when students do not want to take specific programs, employers may need to make jobs in these fields more desirable.

The Government of Ontario announced this week that Niagara College will be the first postsecondary institution to partner with the province’s Ontario Corps emergency response initiative. Through the partnership, Niagara will encourage its community to join Ontario Corps to be mobilized during times of emergency. The college will also share its expertise in emergency management with the corps. Niagara President Sean Kennedy explained that the partnership “gives our students, who are already making a meaningful impact across Niagara, another way to step forward when their community needs them most.”

Providence University College has announced that it will be renovating its gymnasium as a part of its Centennial Campaign. This $1M renovation will include the addition of a shock-absorbing athletic floor, expanded bleachers, and updated Providence Pilots branding. “The gymnasium renewal is more than a construction project—it is an investment in community, student wellness, school spirit, and the future,” explained Providence President Kent Anderson.