June 16, 2025

The University of British Columbia has launched a new AI and Health Network focused on using AI to improve patient care and the health system. The network will bring together researchers and clinicians to address the challenges faced by the Canadian and BC health systems and patients. It will also launch a dedicated AI and Health Fellows and Scholars Program and introduce expanded course offerings and micro-credentials to prepare health professionals for work with AI. “Whether it’s earlier disease diagnosis, improved access to care or accelerating drug development, this network is unlocking AI’s potential to create efficiencies in health systems, support providers and deliver better care for patients,” said UBC Professor Dr Raymond Ng, who is co-leading the network. The network is supported by a $22.5M gift from the Gordon B Shrum Charitable Fund.

Western University’s Centre for Teaching and Learning (CTL) has introduced a free, open initiative to encourage conversations about AI. The Generative AI Challenge is an eight-week project that uses exercises and mini-lessons to help participants expand their knowledge of AI. Each mini-lesson is created by a Western faculty, staff, or student “challenger” with the goal of empowering participants to have informed discussions about AI. “Rather than challenging folks to adopt and use AI technologies in specific ways, the foundational goal of this series is to challenge participants to expand their ways of thinking about generative AI technologies and their impact, both positive and negative, by building knowledge,” said Western CTL E-learning and Curriculum Specialist Dani Dilkes.

Loleen Berdahl (University of Saskatchewan) and Samanti Kulatilake (Mount Royal University) have shared a new resource that aims to help instructors find more joy in the teaching experience. Berdahl and Kulatilake were part of a group of instructors who collaboratively created The Joy of Learning reflection space, a journal designed for reflection on teaching. This free resource includes 148 colour pages with space for journaling, interspersed with time-saving tips, reflection prompts, recommended readings, quotations, and stories. The resource can be used in a variety of ways, including as a reflection tool for a single semester or as a regular journal or planner. Instructors can also foster community by creating a Joy of Learning coffee club that meets to discuss topics in the journal.

The University of Saskatchewan’s College of Law has received a $900K gift from McKercher LLP. USask Law will use $500K to develop an upper-year land-based learning course, which will include time on the land and instruction about how Indigenous laws are related to Indigenous relationship with the land. “Indigenous laws are often connected to the land, making land-based learning an invaluable context for understanding how Indigenous people practice law,” said USask Director of the Indigenous Law Centre Chris Lafleur. The rest of the funding will be used to establish a permanent financial award, support orientation activities, and support the McKercher Lecture Series.

Executive Education HEC Montréal has released its 2025-26 programming portfolio, which includes several new courses and programs, as well as an update on its operations. For the upcoming academic year, the executive education department will offer new certification programs such as a Project Management Certification, a Certification in Strategic Management and Leadership, and a Certification in Corporate Governance. The department also shared that it intends to continue to expand internationally, but will maintain a primary focus on the needs of Québecois, Canadian, and Francophone organizations.

Algoma University has marked the first faculty naming in its history with the unveiling of the Cameron Faculty of Science. The faculty was named in honour of Dr J MacBain Cameron and the Cameron family, who have supported the university in the past. “Today marks a bold new chapter for Algoma University,” said Colin Wilson, Director of Strategic Advancement at AlgomaU. “The naming of the Cameron Faculty of Science is more than a recognition; it’s a lasting legacy that will inspire future generations of students, researchers, and innovators.”

In a recent article for Anglican Journal, Sean Frankling discusses how four theological schools—Atlantic School of Theology, Montreal Diocesan Theological College, Vancouver School of Theology, and Wycliffe College—have been impacted by international student policy changes. While the policy changes have been put in place to halt financial over-reliance on international students, MDTC Principal Rev Jesse Zink, AST President Rev Heather McCance, and VST President Rev Richard Topping explained that their communities—rather than their budgets—were the primary beneficiaries of having international students on campus. Zink and Wycliffe Registrar Jeffrey Hocking added that the changes to spousal work permits have impacted international student interest. All four leaders highlighted how international students bring global perspectives and enthusiasm to campus and expressed concerns about how the changes will impact their communities.

CBC reports that Fanshawe College cut 40 administrative positions last week through downsizing, early retirements, and unfilled vacant positions. In an email to staff, Fanshawe President Peter Devlin explained that each affected individual has been provided with resources to assist their transition. “These are not just positions; they are valued members of our community, and their departure is deeply felt across the college,” wrote Devlin. The next phase of downsizing will reportedly focus on voluntary exit packages.

Thompson Rivers University’s Bachelor of Tourism Management program has achieved SMART+ Accreditation from Tourism HR Canada. This accreditation is a voluntary evaluation of a program’s curriculum and program delivery, development and support, measurement and outcomes, and improvement and enhancement efforts. It nationally recognizes programs that meet or exceed standards. “Graduates from programs with SMART+ accreditation are knowledgeable of current practices and trends; they are also critical analytical thinkers who can work under conditions of continuous change,” said TRU Dean of the Faculty of Adventure, Culinary Arts and Tourism Doug Booth. TRU says that it is one of only three universities in Canada with SMART+ accreditation.

Sault College President David Orazietti recently spoke to CBC about how the college is experiencing increasing difficulty maintaining its core programming in the face of decreasing international enrolment and the provincial tuition freeze. Orazietti said that about 20 of the college’s programs—including some tailored for international students—are being phased out. While the college plans to focus on its high-demand programs, Orazietti said that financial pressures make it increasingly difficult to keep these programs running. “We’re taking our time to [make decisions] thoughtfully, and to ensure that we protect as many jobs as possible in the organization and have as minimal impact to our programs that the community relies on,” said Orazietti.