June 10, 2024

Assiniboine College–formerly Assiniboine Community College–has revealed its new brand identity and logo. The updated logo signifies the various pathways that provide direction and meaning through higher education, career growth, or personal development. It also represents the interconnectedness of teachers, students, community, and industry working together to empower individuals for success. The logo features a geometric A; its shape is inspired by the heritage of Manitoba’s First Nations and the Tipi, invoking Assiniboine’s commitment to Indigenous prosperity. The design uses purple to signify the Prairie crocus and red to represent energy, strength, and passion.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is introducing a new tuition relief program to attract new nurses. This initiative will provide more than $2M to nursing students who are entering the first year of their nursing programs in September 2024. Eligible students will receive $8K in tuition relief during the first two years of their program. This tuition relief is available for Memorial University Bachelor of Science in Nursing students at satellite nursing sites in Gander, Grand Falls-Windsor, and Happy Valley-Goose Bay; College of the North Atlantic practical nursing students; and Centre for Nursing Studies practical nursing students.

The Government of British Columbia has extended the Public Interest Disclosures Act (PIDA) to public postsecondary institutions. PIDA protects employees and promotes accountability and transparency by providing a framework through which employees can report serious wrongdoings. Disclosers and those who participate in PIDA investigations are protected from acts of reprisal. “Expanding PIDA to public [postsecondary] institutions will allow employees to confidentially disclose serious wrongdoing without fear of reprisal,” said BC Attorney General Niki Sharma. “As we bring more employees under the protections of this legislation, we are making sure integrity and accountability in our public service is preserved and upheld.”

First Nations University has received a combined donation of $7.5M to create the National Indigenous Economic Prosperity Institute, which will track Indigenous economic prosperity in Canada. “The National Indigenous Economic Prosperity Institute will serve as a catalyst for change, promoting innovative solutions and fostering economic resilience within Indigenous communities and non-Indigenous communities,” said FNU President Jacqueline Ottmann. Over the course of five years, Mastercard Foundation will contribute $6M and the McConnell Foundation will contribute $1.5Ms toward the institute. Mastercard Foundation Director of Canada Programs Jennifer Brennan said that the National Indigenous Economic Prosperity Institute will advance economic reconciliation and demonstrate that “when Indigenous youth prosper, we all prosper.”

According to the Canadian Press, Montréal police have arrested 15 people after pro-Palestinian protesters occupied a McGill University building on Thursday. Some protesters entered the James Administration Building’s third floor, while another group of protesters attempted to block the entrance to the building with metal fencing. A spokesperson for McGill said that staff were forced to shelter in place when the protesters inside the building chained the doors shut, “banged on the doors[,] and yelled threats.” Protesters told La Presse that this action came in response to the escalation in Rafah.

The Government of Ontario has announced the recipients of the second round of the Ontario Micro-credentials Challenge Fund. This $5M fund supports the development and delivery of 88 micro-credentials programs at ON colleges, universities, Indigenous Institutes, and career colleges. These programs cover a wide array of topics, including cybersecurity for healthcare; upskilling for electricians; and treaties, agreements, and land claims. “The Micro-credentials Challenge Fund brings industry and institutions together to create programs that strengthen Ontario’s workforce and economy,” said ON Minister of Colleges and Universities Jill Dunlop. “Micro-credentials reflect current and local labour market needs and immediately prepare students for industry-relevant opportunities in their region.”

Several postsecondary institutions are highlighting the active and sustainable mode of transportation that is biking. Cégep de Lévis inaugurated the Desjardin Bike Station, an outdoor space complete with a bicycle shelter and rest areas. Collège Bois de Boulogne opened a new self-sharing electric bicycle station that can accommodate up to 24 bikes. For National Bike Month, both York University and the University of Fraser Valley are hosting events and sharing resources. YorkU is passing out Toronto cycle maps, providing quick bike repairs, and offering safety handbooks to students. UFV hosted a community event at the Chilliwack campus to highlight its Trishaw Rides program, which pairs student pilots with older adults, allowing the latter to enjoy the outdoors from the seat of a three-wheeled vehicles.

Dalhousie University’s faculty union is calling on the university to cut ties with Israeli institutions. At its annual general meeting, the Dalhousie Faculty Association passed two motions calling for the university to suspend its formal partnerships with Israeli academic institutions and to divest from and boycott all Israeli institutions. The association also passed a motion that condemns all forms of violence against civilians and attacks on educational institutions in Gaza. CBC reports that these motions echo many of the demands made by students at encampments across the country.

Durham College’s Barrett Centre of Innovation in Sustainable Urban Agriculture has partnered with the Durham Catholic District School Board (DCDSB) to provide a dual credit program in sustainable urban agriculture. The Propagation of Vegetables program is modified from a course from Durham’s Horticulture – Food and Farming program. It gives high school students the opportunity to explore careers in agriculture while learning about working on a farm. “Whether or not the kids go on to be farmers, understanding what goes into the production of food and seeing the connection between what they’re eating and where it comes from is incredibly valuable,” said Durham Professor Jennifer Hoban.

Carleton University and Sprott Shaw College have each shared their recent program accreditation news. Carleton’s Environmental Science Honours Degree has been reaccredited by ECO Canada. This accreditation allows eligible graduates to qualify for the Environmental Professional in training designation through ECO Canada. Sprott Shaw’s Medical Office Administrator with Practicum program has received accreditation from the Canadian College of Health Information Management. Program graduates will be eligible to write the Health Information-Certified Associate national certification exam.