June 25, 2025

Western University is receiving $2.9M from Brain Canada for the Mesoscopic Integrated Neuroimaging Data (MIND) Platform, a project led by Western Schulich Professor Ali Khan. The platform creates high-resolution images of brain structure and activity using high-powered MRI and lightsheet microscopy. The platform will foster international collaboration by enabling scientists from around the world to use an online portal to submit samples and analyze data. “For the first time, we can examine the entire brain, connect microscopic pathology with large-scale networks, and explore how disease spreads,” said Khan. “It’s a powerful step forward in understanding—and eventually treating—neurological disorders.” The funding is part of a broader investment into research platforms focused on brain health discovery, data sharing, and open science collaboration.

The Government of Alberta’s Ministry of Education and Childcare has announced the recipients of $27.5M in funding to create 16 new collegiate schools and improve four existing schools. These collegiate schools will work alongside postsecondary institutions and industry partners to co-develop programs that prepare students for future careers in areas such as aviation, business, and technology. “There’s been a lot of interest and a lot of demand from our school boards, which is great,” said AB Minister of Education and Childcare Demetrios Nicolaides. “They’re really excited by the opportunity to create collegiate programs.” SAIT School of Transportation and the School of Manufacturing and Automation Dean Lynda Holden told the Edmonton Journal that the institute currently has four signed agreements with school boards for collegiate program pathways.

A recent course at Thompson Rivers University gave international students the opportunity to learn about Indigenous traditions, culture, and history. “These students have been in Canada for a very short period of time and they came to the classroom having heard stereotypes about Indigenous people, […] but they really didn’t know very much about issues that shape Indigenous peoples’ lives in Canada,” said TRU Associate Professor Mukwa Musayett (Shelly Johnson), who led the course. Several students told CFJC Today that the course commonly drew on a practice of sitting in a circle and listening to classmates speak, which changed their perspective of one another. “When I learned through Indigenous people, I learned no borders can separate us,” said TRU student Kusum.

Toronto Metropolitan University’s The Creative School is partnering with Billboard Canada to launch a new course on Punjabi superstar Diljit Dosanjh. Set to begin in Fall 2026, the course will examine Dosanjh’s musical and diasporic influence and explore how regional sounds shape global pop culture. “Toronto Metropolitan University is excited to pioneer a course on Diljit Dosanjh, whose journey embodies the intersection of culture, identity and global music entrepreneurship,” said TMU Assistant Professor Dr Charlie Wall-Andrews. “His rise illustrates the cultural influence and economic potential of Punjabi music on the world stage.”

MacEwan University President Dr Annette Trimbee and NorQuest College President Carolyn Campbell have written an article for the Edmonton Journal to add the postsecondary perspective to the debate around Edmonton’s Community Revitalization Levy (CRL). This levy allows the city to borrow money against future property tax revenues in order to invest in infrastructure and public spaces. Trimbee and Campbell argue that the CRL supports the Education District, contributing to a welcoming and safe city centre and fostering development. “These improvements support not only education and business, but also the arts, culture and community organizations that make downtown Edmonton a place where people want to live, learn and connect,” write the authors, who conclude by encouraging city leaders to recognize CRL’s value.

Trent University has launched the Create Centre for Entrepreneurship, a new space in the university’s Bata Library that helps students from all disciplines develop their skills in leadership, creativity, and problem-solving. The centre provides inclusive programming that removes traditional barriers to access, such as the need for a pre-existing business idea, explains Trent. “Our goal is to challenge the conventional ideas around what entrepreneurship means,” said Trent President Dr Cathy Bruce. The centre will also serve as a hub connecting students, faculty, and local business sectors.

St Francis Xavier University and the Confederacy of Mainland Mi’kmaq have signed an agreement formalizing and strengthening their collaboration. Through this agreement, the two partners will work together to amplify Indigenous knowledge; support treaty education; and build stronger frameworks elevating Mi’kmaq governance, history, and identity at StFX. This will include work related to experiential learning, transformative research alliances, intergenerational healing, and nation-building. “Today is not just a ceremonial moment,” said StFX President Dr Andy Hakin. “It is a meaningful next step in a relationship that has been growing over time—and one that will shape the future of our university and our communities in deep and lasting ways.”

Durham College and Ayrshire College in Scotland, UK, have launched a partnership focused on creating future-focused opportunities through educational exchange, applied research, and industry collaboration. The partners will work together on joint initiatives, such as training development and cross-institutional and industry-focused projects designed to meet workforce needs. “By working together with our colleagues in Scotland, we created meaningful opportunities for our learners and industry partners to innovate and grow on an international scale,” said Durham Director of Corporate Training Services Robin Young.

In a recent piece for Inside Higher Ed, Anne Meyer-Miner (University of British Columbia) outlines four principles for designing academic gatherings that are both purposeful and memorable. Drawing on insights from The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker, she advises organizers to define their event’s purpose, tailor invitations, host intentionally, and end with meaningful reflection. Whether planning a seminar, panel, or workshop, Meyer-Miner emphasizes the importance of structure, clarity, and thoughtful facilitation. “When you build in time to define a gathering’s purpose, incorporate intentional invitations and pay attention to your influence as a host,” she writes, “you can shape the event from beginning to end and revolutionize how we connect.”

The University of Niagara Falls Canada has announced its official mascot: a fox named Spark. Spark’s name was chosen by the UNFC community, which voted on the top three names submitted by students and staff. He debuted at UNFC’s inaugural Student Leadership Awards Celebration. “Spark represents the curiosity, courage, and community that define who we are,” said UNFC Provost and Vice-President, Academic David Gray. “We couldn’t imagine a more perfect moment to welcome him to the family.”