June 19, 2025

Eeyou Istchee College of Science and Technology celebrated its official launch in Chisasibi earlier this week. The not-for-profit, English-language college will serve the James Bay area and welcome students from neighbouring regions like Nunavik and Naskapi. The college currently offers a variety of Professional & Continuing Education programs and has formally requested a permit from the Government of Québec to offer programs that lead to an Attestation in College Studies or Diploma in College Studies. “For the first time, higher education that is grounded in Cree values and fueled by innovation is now available here in the North, for the North,” said the college in a statement on Facebook.

Times Higher Education has released its 2025 edition of the University Impact Rankings and several Canadian universities have appeared among the leaders. To compile the rankings, Times Higher Education scored universities according to their contributions to and progress on the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Several Canadian institutions were in the top 50 overall: Queen’s University (tied for #6); the University of Alberta (#8); McMaster University, the University of Victoria, and Western University (tied for #14); Simon Fraser University (#35); and York University (#38). In the rankings for each SDG, Queen’s was the top university for SDG 2 Zero Hunger, while UAlberta was part of a 12-way-tie for the top university for SDG 9 Industry Innovation and Infrastructure.

École de technologie supérieure has announced the creation of a new quantum science and engineering institute called the Tensor Institute. The institute will receive $5M in funding from the Government of Québec’s Ministère de l’Économie, de l’Innovation et de l’Énergie. The Tensor Institute will support research and innovation in quantum science through funding for projects, partnerships with private organizations, and the creation of four applied research chairs. The first two chairs were awarded to ÉTS Professors Jacob Biamonte and Claude Crépeau. Related training programs will be developed with partners such as Université de Sherbrooke’s Institut quantique.

The University of Toronto has published recommendations from its Task Force on Artificial Intelligence. The report outlines both the risks and opportunities related to AI. Looking to the future, the task force has encouraged the institution to pursue four goals: boosting AI knowledge, building infrastructure such as an “AI Kitchen,” creating AI support teams, and forming an AI advisory group. “We don’t have a choice around responding to AI,” said U of T Associate Vice President and Vice-Provost, Digital Strategies Susan McCahan. “But we can lead by demonstrating how an organization takes a value-based, principles-based approach to thoughtfully working with the technology.”

The Government of Canada and Government of Saskatchewan are investing a combined $3.4M over four years into genomic research at the University of Saskatchewan that will improve livestock productivity and sustainability. The funding will help establish two new facilities: the Omics Resource Centre at the Western College of Veterinary Medicine and Beef Reprotech at the Livestock and Forage Centre of Excellence. These centres will support the IntegrOmes project, which will use genomic tools to improve cattle breeding and reproductive efficiency. “Our researchers are applying cutting-edge methods to advance our understanding of beef genetics, which couldn’t be possible without the support of this joint funding from the provincial and federal governments,” said USask VP Research Baljit Singh.

The City of Calgary’s council committee has unanimously endorsed changes to the Downtown Post-Secondary Institution Incentive Program, which is supporting the University of Calgary in converting a downtown building into an academic, teaching, and research space. The Calgary Herald reports that UCalgary applied for $9M through the program in 2024. However, it encountered a hurdle: Program funds were only allocated based on what was previously designated as office space. Since UCalgary wanted to convert “retail” and “storage” space, it faced a $236K funding gap. The changes to the program give applicants more flexibility in what spaces they can receive funding for, including retail and storage spaces.

Trinity Western University has launched the Centre for Conducting Excellence, which will reach the community with choral music and hands-on training. The centre will provide apprenticing conductors with a place where they can practice their skills, receive mentorship, and collaborate with singers. It will also enable local students, teachers, and musicians to explore music and conducting. As part of the initiative, TWU’s School of the Arts, Music + Culture and TWU Professor Cathrie Yuen have partnered to create a new advanced-level chamber choir called the Inspiro Singers. Conductors will be able to practice their craft with these singers, who will also be developing their skills.

The University of New Brunswick’s McKenna Institute has launched the i4 Initiative in collaboration with Shoppers Drug Mart to address disparities in cardiovascular and diabetes care. The initiative—short for inform, innovate, improve, and implement—unfolds in three phases. Phase one analyzes how illness and health care usage vary by geography and demographics. “One of our goals is to shine a light on where inequities exist,” said UNB Senior Research Scientist Dr Chris Folkins. “With that understanding, we can help inform strategies that bring better care to those…with unmet needs.” UNB’s Pond-Deshpande Centre will lead the second phase, which will invite solutions through a Rapid Innovation Challenge, while phase three will inform a call for proposals to fund targeted research.

The University of Manitoba has received a $1.5M grant from the Beef Cattle Research Council (BCRC) and its partners to establish the BCRC Chair in Beef Cattle Economic Sustainability. The chair will be housed in UManitoba’s Department of Animal Science and will focus on research, training, and industry collaboration related to sustainable beef production. Planned activities include developing financial models, analyzing the factors that influence producers’ decision-making, and supporting the implementation of environmentally and economically beneficial practices.

LaSalle College Vancouver is set to open the doors to its new campus in East Vancouver this summer, reports the Daily Hive. The seven-storey campus building consists of two towers with a “crystal-like form and striking glass façade.” One tower and the base podium will be occupied by the college, while the other tower will be leased out. LaSalle Campus President Jason Dweling told the Daily Hive that the new facility has a much more efficient layout, which will provide the institution with the capacity to double its enrolment growth over time.