June 13, 2023

Western University will introduce a new model for its Bachelor of Education (BEd) program, where students will graduate after 16 months (four terms of consecutive study) in order to meet the need for more teachers. All classes that require physical engagement and hands-on learning will occur in person during the first two terms, while the latter two terms will be offered online. The program will have more research and alternative field placements, and students will be able to access practical experiences at over 40 school boards across the province. Western Associate Dean of Teacher Education Kathy Hibbert said that the changes will help students from different backgrounds and stages of life to complete their coursework in the locations that they are doing their fieldwork and practicums.

University College of the North has announced the launch of two Information Technology (IT) programs to address the need for skilled IT technicians in the north. UCN will offer a new IT Support Technician and Technology Readiness Program at its the Pas campus in the Fall semester. Graduates will be prepared to support the north’s IT infrastructure and work in the digital economy. UCN will also permanently add the Information Technology Readiness Program (InTeRN) program, which providies women with hands-on learning and training in a supported environment. InTeRN has been offered as a Future Skills Canada pilot program over the last two years.

Mount Allison University’s Gender Affirming Care Clinic has extended its services to community members not enrolled at the university. Any resident of New Brunswick or individual with other provincial health coverage who is seeking gender affirming care can now be referred to the clinic. Services provided by the clinic include initiating and maintaining hormone replacement therapy, issuing referrals, and helping individuals attain letters of approval for gender reaffirming surgery. “At Mount Allison, we believe in equality and acceptance for all,” said MtA Director, Accessibility and Student Wellness Matt Maston. “We are excited to enhance this partnership and support the wider community by offering gender affirming health services more broadly.”

The University of Regina and Conseill des écoles fransaskoises (CÉF) have signed an MOU to collaboratively support CÉF students who are transitioning to URegina. The MOU outlines benefits for CÉF students such as entrance bursaries, a fee waiver for international undergraduate applications, conditional admission for grade 12 students, and customized non-academic support services and programming. URegina will also provide CÉF with guidance on international student recruitment efforts. “This important agreement strengthens our existing relationship with CÉF and highlights our commitment to supporting Saskatchewan’s Fransaskois community and all French speaking students at the U of R,” said URegina President Dr Jeff Keshen.

RCMP are investigating a threat that was made on social media against Acadia University. Kings District RCMP said that they received an email from the university’s Safety and Security Department with information about a shooting threat that would “occur at Acadia University in the fall of 2023.” Acadia Director of Safety and Security Patrick Difford said that the university asked police to evaluate the threat. Both Acadia and the RCMP have increased monitoring and patrols on and around the campus and encouraged those on campus to keep their surroundings in mind.

In an editorial for Higher Ed Dive, Laura Spitalniak profiles ongoing efforts in the US to improve community college graduation rates. Spitalniak points to the results of a recent experiment at three Ohio colleges, which offered select students personalized services such as career counseling, tutoring opportunities, and financial supports to help with groceries and gas. After six years, the colleges found that students who received these services were more likely to earn their college degree within three years and more likely to have higher average earnings post-study. Spitalniak explains that these services helped students balance the competing priorities of family, work, and school, while also providing them with insight into how they could use their degrees after college.

Dalhousie University and the University of Ottawa are celebrating the accomplishments of two extraordinary graduates. Dal recently celebrated the graduation of 92-year-old Marie Jones. Jones was just a “stone’s throw” from completing her Master of Arts degree in 1975 when she took a break from her studies to care for one of her sons. Her other son recently discovered that Jones had completed her academic requirements. Jones celebrated receiving her degree at Dal’s Spring Convocation. Meanwhile, at UOttawa, 12-year-old Anthaea-Grace Patricia Dennis accepted a bachelor’s degree in biomedical science. Patricia Dennis is reportedly the youngest Canadian to ever graduate from university. She began her program at the age of nine and advises other youth to not “let other people’s expectations bring you down.”

Saskatchewan Polytechnic has partnered up with Mariner to offer two training courses on change management: “Fundamentals of Change Management” and “Accelerating Change Through Leadership.” The short training courses are designed for management practitioners, project managers, and human resources and business professionals who are participating in or leading change at their respective organizations. “Change within an organization has become the norm, not the exception,” said Sask Polytech Director of Training Solutions for the School of Continuing Education Gerry Youzwa. “The new measure of success today is how quickly and effectively organizations adapt to change.”

Algoma University’s School of Social Work, Omushkego Education – Mushkegowuk Council, and Payukotayno: James and Hudson Bay Family Services recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding. The MOU establishes a new partnership between the three entities under the goal of improving accessibility to certificate, postsecondary, and training programs in social work and enhancing the retention and success of the Mushkegowuk People in these programs. AlgomaU President Asima Vezina said that this partnership is part of the university’s response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action regarding education and child welfare.

The cost increase associated with the University of New Brunswick Saint John’s decision to convert all meal plans to an all-you-can-eat model has left one student feeling “blindsided,” reports CBC. “[I]ncluding the tuition increase for my bachelor of health and the increase for my room and the meal plan, I have to come up with an additional $3,260,” said student Garett Oakes, whose meal plan alone will cost an additional $2,100 (61.7%). UNB Associate Vice-Provost, Student Affairs and Services Sheldon MacLeod explained that the university decided to move all meal plans to the all-you-can-eat-model in order to improve food security, as the university noticed students on the pay-as-you-go model eating less food as they got to the end of the school year. The price increase also takes into account the rising cost of food and labour.