June 17, 2024

The Government of Canada has announced $693.8M in funding for discovery and applied research. The majority of the funding ($554M) will be provided through NSERC’s Discovery Research Program to support researchers conducting research projects in disciplines such as biology, computer science, and physics. $94.5M will be invested into the Canada Research Chairs program, $30.6M into the College and Community Innovation (CCI) program, and $10M into science promotion and outreach programs for youth.

The biopharma innovation facilitator CQDM recently announced the creation of the RNA Therapy Development and Production Network, which will work to strengthen the RNA therapy ecosystem in Québec. The network will be hosted on sites operated by McGill University, the Université du Sherbrooke, and the Institut de recherches cliniques de Montréal (IRCM). It will provide RNA therapy biomanufacturing services to academic and industrial researchers, allowing them to accelerate the development of their RNA therapies and ultimately benefit patients. “This platform is a solid example of the fruitful collaboration between academia and industry in Québec,” said CQDM President Diane Gosselin. “It will improve research into RNA therapies and accelerate the development of new treatments for patients.”

The Government of British Columbia’s International Credentials Recognition Act will come into effect on July 1, 2024. The act requires regulatory bodies to make the credential recognition process easier, more transparent, and faster for qualified professionals in 29 professions. Regulators will also be required to remove Canadian work experience requirements by July 1, 2025. The professions affected by this act include engineers, lawyers, social workers, teachers, and veterinarians.

Chronicle of Higher Ed editor Beth McMurtrie has penned an article discussing the mixed feelings and reactions of faculty toward AI. Faculty shared their concerns about whether they were wasting time “grading robots” and “fake papers,” as well as whether AI’s ability to take on the “menial tasks” associated with assignments would undermine students’ development of critical-thinking skills. McMurtrie highlights the lack of adequate discussion between administrators and faculty, as well as faculty members’ desire for greater guidance and training opportunities related to AI. Several faculty members shared how they are combatting AI abuse in the classroom, through conversations with students about the importance of authentic learning and ethical AI use, approving the use of AI for specific tasks, and identifying what circumstances result in AI being abused.

Guelph mayor Cam Guthrie has expressed his disappointment about the concerns that first-year students at theUniversity of Guelph may not be able to live on campus. CTV News reports that the housing waitlist stems from UoGuelph’s efforts to combat “significant financial pressures” by expanding enrolment. UoGuelph Provost Gwen Chapman explained that the university has seen a far higher acceptance rate and interest in residence than in previous years. While the university did not guarantee on-campus housing for Fall 2024, parents and students told CTV News that school officials suggested that residence availability would not be an issue. Chapman explained that “we are at this point able to accommodate 85 per cent of the people who did put applications in for residence” and indicated that the university is supporting other students’ search for housing.

Department chairs are essential to the management, staff retention, and atmosphere of their academic department, but they are often not provided with formal leadership training. A study led by Cinzia Cervato (Iowa State University) explores the effectiveness of a workshop series for department chairs to help them develop management, communication, and administrative skills. The researchers developed a virtual workshop series for department chairs from four research-intensive universities. Running between 2020 and 2023, these workshops covered topics such as conducting faculty evaluations, building an equitable department, and dealing with faculty incivility. Reflecting on the success of these workshops, the researchers conclude by highlighting the importance of providing targeted professional development to department chairs.

Several Canadian postsecondary institutions have recently struck partnerships to create new learning opportunities. The Université du Québec à Montréal and Institut Grasset are partnering to create an opportunity for students in an information technology program at Grassett to continue their education through a baccalaureate or certificate program at UQÀM. The College of the North Atlantic, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, and South Korean Ministry of Education have signed a five-year memorandum of understanding focused on providing early childhood education work placements to Korean students. Université de Moncton and CPA New Brunswick have co-developed a micro-certificate that will help accounting professionals from France obtain the skills recognition they need to pursue their occupation in Canada.

Red Deer Polytechnic has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with SVG Ventures|THRIVE that focuses on the intersection of the agriculture and energy sectors. Together, the partners aim to build Alberta’s ag-energy innovation ecosystem; foster the start-up and applied research community; and use technology demonstration and adoption to increase the competitiveness of Alberta’s agriculture and energy industries. “Working with SVG and its leading innovation and investment platform enables RDP to accelerate technology development and adoption,” said RDP President Stuart Cullum. “Our focus is on providing enhanced learning and applied research environments to grow the talent and innovation solutions needed for our energy and agriculture sectors to coordinate effectively and thrive.”

Ontario Tech University’s Faculty of Engineering and Applied Sciences has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Pennsylvania State University’s College of Engineering. The MOU is focused on initiatives that will enhance research, innovation, and educational excellence in engineering. They will collaborate on several activities, including professional training programs; faculty and scholar exchanges; joint research projects and educational programs; the exchanges of scientific materials, publications, and information; and joint seminars.

Cégep de l’Outaouais is partnering with four hotels in the Gatineau region to meet the housing needs of 150 students. The hotels will make 75 double-occupancy rooms available at an affordable rate to students; the cégep will act as the facilitator, but rental contracts will be signed directly between the student and the hotel. This initiative is part of the cégep’s ongoing efforts to address the student housing shortage and provide students with safe, affordable, and accessible accommodation options. The cégep is also working to improve housing through a collaboration with Collège Héritage and the construction of a potential a new residence complex.