June 26, 2026

The Council of Nova Scotia University Presidents (CONSUP) and the Canadian Military, Veteran and Family Connected Campus Consortium (CMVF3C) have signed an MOU, creating a province-wide framework supporting military-connected learners and their families. Through the agreement, universities in Nova Scotia will collaborate to support military-connected learners by improving access to academic pathways, assisting those transferring between institutions due to postings or relocation, and strengthening campus-based supports and services. “This MOU brings our ten universities together to move quickly to support the expansion of military learners, and to share best practices, to learn from one another, and to offer a welcoming and high-quality university experience regardless of the chosen university,” said St Francis Xavier University President and CONSUP Chair Dr Andrew Hakin.

McMaster University has received a $20M gift from McMaster Chancellor Emerita Suzanne Labarge to support initiatives related to aging research. The donation will go toward two initiatives in the McMaster Institute for Research on Aging: The Labarge Centre for Mobility in Aging, which is focused on advancing research to help older adults remain active and independent, and the MIRA | Dixon Hall Centre, a community partnership focused on addressing the realities of aging among underserved and equity-deserving populations. “We do amazing things at McMaster, but what matters most is making sure that knowledge reaches people and improves lives,” said Labarge.

US News has released its Best Global Universities rankings. This ranking assessed 2,250 universities from around the world according to 13 indicators, including global and regional research reputation, publications, and citation impact. A total of 39 Canadian universities appeared in the rankings this year. Those that appeared in the top 200 included the University of Toronto (#20), the University of British Columbia (#42), McGill University (#68), McMaster University (#150), the University of Alberta (tied for #164), the Université de Montréal (#193), and the University of Waterloo (#199).

Several postsecondary institutions are supporting Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN) Regional Technology Development Site (RTDS) projects across Ontario. These projects are focused on supporting automotive, technology, battery, and smart mobility. The Windsor-Essex RTDS, which involves St Clair College and the University of Windsor, received combined private and public funding of $6.6M to support small- and medium-sized enterprises as they research and commercialize advanced automotive technology. The York Region RTDS will be led by York University and technology incubator ventureLAB. The project has received nearly $15M in combined funding.

The University of Ottawa’s Telfer School of Management and the University of Doha for Science and Technology’s College of Business have launched a new graduate program in health administration. The Executive Master of Health Administration will provide healthcare executive leaders and administrators in Qatar and the region with the leadership and system-level capabilities they need to lead within healthcare environments. Students will graduate with a dual degree from UOttawa and the University of Doha for Science and Technology. The program’s first students will begin in the next academic cycle.

Fostering a corporate classroom culture to turn students into “professionals” is an approach based on flawed assumptions, according to Jordan H Davis (Wilmington University). In his piece for Inside Higher Education, Davis identifies and argues against three assumptions that instructors make: some deadlines are nonnegotiable, students must change in response to unchanging work conditions, and work readiness is the most important priority. Davis concludes that while there is value in professional preparation in higher education, such as that accomplished through clinical rotations and client-based projects, the classroom must keep its focus on “our top responsibility: making learning happen.”

The Consortium of Physician Assistant Education—a collaboration between the University of Toronto’s Temerty Faculty of Medicine and NOSM University—will establish a dedicated Northern Stream for Physician Assistant training in Northern Ontario. The consortium will begin building the framework and regional infrastructure for the Northern Stream this year, with plans for the cohort to welcome its first class by the 2027–28 academic year. Students in the Northern Stream will be able to complete most of their rotations in the North. The program is supported by funding from the Government of Ontario Ministry of Health, a portion of which will be used to recruit practicing physician assistants who will support clinical education in the region.

MacEwan University and the Ukrainian Foundation for College Education (UFCE) have signed a memorandum of understanding that will build on their current relationship. This MOU will ensure the continued growth and success of UFCE-supported programs at the university, including the Peter and Doris Kule Chair in Ukrainian Community and International Development, the Chair of International Health, and the Gene Zwozdesky Artist in Residence program. “We thrive on diversity and we hope members of the diaspora always feel welcome on our campus,” said MacEwan President Dr Annette Trimbee.

Collège Boréal’s massage therapy program has received preliminary accreditation from the Canadian Massage Therapy Council for Accreditation. This accreditation confirms that the program complies with national standards for massage therapy education, particularly in regard to its teaching practices, content relevance, and student preparation for the profession. Boréal VP Academic Paulette Bonin said that this accreditation confirms the program’s excellence and the team’s commitment to offering training supported by mentorship.

Niagara College and Walker Industries have signed a two-year agreement that will focus on sustainable horticulture and innovation within the circular economy. Each year, Walker will provide Niagara’s School of Environment and Horticulture with approximately 500 cubic yards of high-performance soil, mulch, and growing media. The donation will be used to enhance the campus, bolster greenhouse production, and support hands-on learning. “By integrating Walker’s sustainable innovations into our learning environments, we are advancing our sustainability goals while providing our students with unparalleled exposure to the cutting edge of a green economy,” said Niagara President Sean Kennedy.