July 30, 2026

Okanagan College has announced that it has achieved its goal of raising $14M to complete the construction of its Don Folk and Family Recreation and Wellness Centre. The funds were raised as part of Okanagan College Foundation’s Thrive Here campaign. “Thanks to a collective effort, students will have a place to build confidence, create lifelong memories and support one another,” explained Thrive Here Honorary Campaign Chair Cliff Serwa. Construction on the centre, which began in 2023, is expected to be completed this fall.

In the most recent Prof vs Prof articles from University Affairs, two professors discuss institutional neutrality. Mark Mercer argues in favour of institutional neutrality on “issues of the day,” explaining that neutrality protects and nurtures academic life for those thinking deeply about difficult topics. Jennifer S Simpson (Toronto Metropolitan University) argues against institutional neutrality, explaining that its inconsistent use raises questions about who the university is serving. Simpson explains that students want space to reflect and deliberate on perspectives and asserts that universities do not need to offer resolutions. Instead, university mission statements support navigating challenging issues.

Kwantlen Polytechnic University will be adding 462 new skilled-trades training seats as part of British Columbia’s Look West strategy. The new seats will bring the total number of seats at KPU to 1,762, reducing wait lists and expanding opportunities for apprenticeship training for construction electricians, industrial mechanics, plumbers, and more. “This funding creates certainty in a period of economic uncertainty, enabling KPU to be responsive to future growth potential and labour-market demands, while training the tradespeople needed to support future provincial and national growth,” said KPU President Diane Purvey.

The University of New Brunswick’s Faculty of Business has launched the Atlantic Sales Performance Hub. This hub will create a community where sales leaders can access professional education, research, best practices, and practical approaches. They will also be able to engage with UNB’s sales programs, including by recruiting interns and connecting with future graduates. “The hub will create a community where sales professionals can learn from one another, access relevant research, and work collectively to strengthen sales performance across Atlantic Canada,” said UNB MBA Program Director and Chair of Applied Research in Sales Dr Peter Kerr.

Royal Roads University and the Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT) have launched new pathways for SLIIT students to earn Royal Roads credentials. Eligible students at SLIIT’s Kandy campus who wish to earn a Royal Roads Bachelor of Business Administration or a Bachelor of Hospitality and Tourism Management degree will complete their first two years of study through SLIIT before completing years three and four of a Royal Roads degree program delivered in Sri Lanka. Upon entering the Royal Roads portion of the program, students will have access to amenities such as the library and other digital resources.

A recent CBC article highlights the perspectives of several educators about how to foster critical thinking when AI is increasingly a part of students’ lives. Stanford University Dean Louis Newman explains that traditional methods of teaching critical thinking “by osmosis” are ineffective, and that educators should use more explicit methods, explaining to students “what kinds of thinking they’re being asked to do, how well they did on it and where they could have done better.” University of Ottawa professor Tasha Ausman explained that, in math and science, she focuses on the process rather than the outcome, urging students to slow down. “[Learning] is meant to be somewhat arduous. It’s meant to make you grapple with difficult information, words you don’t know, things you have to look up…” she said.

York University’s Connected Minds research program and the Centre for International Governance Innovation have announced a 16-month pilot partnership designed to build governance frameworks for AI and neurotechnology. The primary goals of the partnership include creating a replicable framework for use in other domains, establishing Canada as a global leader in AI and neurotechnology governance, and producing policy outputs and communication tools for decision-makers. YorkU Connected Minds Scientific Director Shayna Rosenbaum pointed to the rapid advance of AI and neurotechnologies, saying that the partnership “ensure[s] that technological innovation advances in ways that strengthen society, protect human rights, and contribute to a healthy, just future.”

The University of Regina’s Hill Levene School of Business has earned accreditation from the global business education association AACSB International. URegina explains that AACSB accreditation recognizes excellence in areas such as research, student learning, and teaching, and is awarded through a rigorous review process involving peers in the business education community. “This achievement affirms the quality of our programs while reinforcing our commitment to preparing ethical, innovative, and globally minded business leaders who create meaningful impact in Saskatchewan and beyond,” said URegina Hill Levene School Dean Erin Oldford.

MacEwan University has announced that more developers have joined its off-campus housing project, providing more options for students interested in living near campus. Under the off-campus housing project, local developers partner with the university to provide MacEwan students with a discount on housing. Westrich Pacific and Beljan Group have joined the project this year, bringing the total number of properties offering affordable housing to students to seven. “MacEwan is growing fast as we work to keep up with the demand for skilled graduates,” explained MacEwan President Dr Annette Trimbee. “Housing that is conveniently located, affordable, and suited to our students’ needs is essential.”

In a recent article, Christine Julien (Virginia Tech University) challenges the idea that the field of computer science is “dying” in light of changes in the technology sector. Julien emphasizes the value of the training offered through computer science programs, including learning how to create unambiguous instructions for machines, think about an entire logical structure at once, and reason through cause and effect. Pointing to labour market data, she further notes that the mass layoffs in the US tech sector resulted in workers moving into other sectors rather than leaving technology roles altogether. She concludes by reminding readers to be skeptical of headlines.