June 17, 2026

Bishop’s University, Concordia University, and McGill University have each signed an eight-year agreement with the Government of Québec that will facilitate the development of French-language skills among students from outside of Québec. The universities will receive annual funding of up to $20M to support related initiatives; the institutions will be expected to achieve an objective of having 60% of non-QC students enrolled in an undergraduate program reach level 4 of the QC French-language proficiency levels (Échelle québécoise des niveaux de compétences en français) after they participate in French-language learning pathways. The objective will take effect with the cohort admitted for Fall 2026, with the first measurement of achievement carried out at the end of 2029-2030.

The University of Saskatchewan’s Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization (VIDO) has signed an agreement with the European Research Infrastructure on Highly Pathogenic Agents (ERINHA) that will see VIDO act as ERINHA’s North American hub. The partnership will focus on infectious diseases that pose a threat to economies, food security, and human and animal health. As the North American hub for ERINHA, VIDO will contribute integrated vaccine manufacturing capacity, specialized research and expertise, and training and exchange opportunities. “This agreement will help advance the collaborative science needed to better understand and respond to emerging infectious disease threats,” said ERINHA Director General Dr Jonathan Ewbank. “We know that we can count on Canadian partners!”

Collège de Bois-de-Boulogne will be embarking on a major infrastructure project with its Ignace Bourget pavilion, thanks to a recent $50M investment from the Government of Québec. The renovations will improve the building’s thermal insulation, energy consumption, and carbon footprint, while providing the college community with brighter and more comfortable learning and workspaces. As part of the project, the college will be placing an emphasis on eco-responsibility by recovering at least 15 tonnes of construction materials and sending these to recycling facilities.

A new study conducted by Studyportals has found that international student enrolment at institutions in the Big Four study locations–Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States–has continued to decline drastically. Looking at the January to March 2026 intake, the study found that Canada had one of the largest declines with 24% fewer undergraduate enrolments overall, and that this decline was broadly felt with most Canadian institutions reporting declines in undergraduate (69%) and graduate (80%) enrolments. The study also explores some of the major obstacles that institutions are facing on the front of international enrolment–most prominently, restrictive government policies–and the opportunities they see in the future around diversification and online program expansion.

Queen’s University’s Smith School of Business has announced the launch of a new double-degree pathway with ESAN University in Peru, starting this Fall. ESAN students will complete their first three years of a Bachelor of Business Administration at ESAN, followed by two years at Queen’s Smith School. Upon completion, students will obtain a degree from both institutions. While attending Queen’s, ESAN students will take core and elective courses covering a variety of business topics, including general administration and international business. “This double-degree pathway will allow our students to experience a truly multicultural academic journey, broaden their perspective on global business, and strengthen the key competencies needed to lead in an interconnected world,” explained ESAN President Jaime Serida.

Holland College has officially named its new student wellness centre the MacDonald Centre for Student Wellness and Academic Success in honour of outgoing Holland College President Dr Alexander (Sandy) MacDonald. The college says that MacDonald has placed a priority on mental health and wellness, supports, and student success during his time as president, and that the newly named centre will reflect these values. “This centre holds a special place for me, as it reflects our shared commitment to supporting the wellbeing of our students, our staff, and our community as a whole,” said MacDonald.

Atlantic Canada’s universities have an important part to play in defusing the region’s “demographic time bomb,” write Association of Atlantic Universities CEO Ava Czapalay and St Francis Xavier University President Andrew Hakin. In their recent opinion piece, Czapalay and Hakin explain that the region faces an aging population, a higher death rate than birth rate, and plummeting immigration and in-migration rates. In order for the region to have the workforce it needs to thrive in the future, they explain that the region will need university graduates in addition to skilled trades workers. They explain that universities are prepared to develop solutions to avoid upcoming demographic problems, while also serving as economic drivers in their communities. They also note that the AAU plans to expand its employer partnerships and address areas with strong workforce demand.

Kenjgewin Teg and Cambrian College have formed a new partnership to deliver a Practical Nursing program on Manitoulin Island. Cambrian will provide faculty and academic oversight, while Kenjgewin Teg will host the program at its M’chigeeng campus, offer student support services, and offer culturally grounded learning opportunities. Upon completion, students will obtain an Ontario College Diploma from Cambrian and will be eligible to write the College of Nurses of Ontario registration examination. Students will also benefit from Kenjgewin Teg’s voluntary Anishinaabe-aadiziwin learning program, where they may choose to participate in a minimum of 24 hours of cultural learning activities to receive special recognition upon graduation.

Okanagan College has announced that it is expanding its Bachelor of Computer Information Systems (BCIS) degree program to offer three new options. Beginning in 2026, students in the BCIS program will be able to select either the Cybersecurity option, the Data Engineering and AI option, or the Honours Degree option. “We recognize that the technology sector is changing quickly and so are the skills that employers are looking for,” said Okanagan College Associate Dean of Arts and Science Steve Crema. “These new options are our response to what we are hearing from industry: that graduates with deep, specialized knowledge in cybersecurity and data engineering are among the most sought-after professionals in the country.”

Digital credential network MyCreds and student information system provider Ellucian have announced the signing of a partnership agreement. The partnership will formalize an integration model that will serve as a scalable foundation for secure, interoperable national digital credential infrastructure. The model will reportedly be vendor-agnostic and non-exclusive, ensuring that institutions can benefit from a faster integration process. “This agreement represents an important step toward a pan-Canadian trust infrastructure for academic and professional credentials,” said ARUCC Chair Dr Darran Fernandez.