June 27, 2025

The University of Toronto and Harvard University have struck an agreement that will ensure international students from Harvard’s John F Kennedy School of Government have a place to study if visa restrictions are imposed on the US institution. Under the arrangement, U of T’s Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy will welcome international students from Harvard Kennedy School if they are prevented from entering the US due to visa or entry restrictions. The visiting students would be enrolled as full-time, non-degree students; they would pay their tuition and fees to the Harvard Kennedy School, which in turn would reimburse U of T. “We are deeply grateful for the support of the Munk School and other partners, who are helping to ensure that we can continue to provide all [Harvard Kennedy School] students with the excellent education they deserve,” said Harvard Kennedy School Dean Jeremy Weinstein.

The Government of Nova Scotia has announced that it will be working with two universities in Lebanon— American University of Beirut and Lebanese American University—to bring 10 family physicians to NS over the course of five years. NS will invest $5M over five years in Lebanese American University to cover the associated costs for training and relocation. Doctors who participate in this five-year pilot project will be expected to sign a three-year return-of-service agreement. The province has an established relationship with the American University of Beirut and has already supported two physicians from the university through their transition to NS.

A group of 38 postsecondary institutions from across Canada are celebrating the launch of Labs4, an applied research commercialization engine that aims to transform research into real-world solutions. This $55M initiative will offer a variety of services—including product development and support—through a series of regional hubs and Indigenous entrepreneurship hubs across the country. “By teaching researchers and businesses how to work with each other, building stronger relationships with Indigenous communities, and scaling innovation with intentional speed and purpose, we’ll equip entrepreneurs to quickly move from insight to action to benefit all Canadians,” said RRC Polytech Executive Director of Research & Innovation Dr Jolen Galaugher, who is also the chair of the Labs4 executive committee.

Oulton College is renovating its campus and expanding its nursing program to help address New Brunswick’s nursing shortage. The college will create new classrooms and simulation labs where nursing and paramedicine students can gain hands-on training. These renovations will add 300 seats to the college’s nursing programs, increasing capacity to over 400 students and eliminating waitlists. “By expanding our nursing capacity, we’re directly contributing to the sustainability of New Brunswick’s healthcare system and creating long-term value for students, families, and the broader community,” said Oulton CFO Aaron Robichaud. Oulton is investing $3M in the project, which is expected to be completed by January 2026.

Collège Boréal is strengthening the Francophone early childhood education sector through two initiatives that have received over $1M in funding from the City of Toronto and the Commission nationale des parents francophones. In the first initiative, Boréal will work with Collège La Cité to help international professionals become certified in Canada. This will include language support, funding to cover tuition fees, and the facilitation of the recognition of prior learning. Boréal also partnered with the City of Toronto, Centennial College, George Brown College, Mothercraft, and Seneca Polytechnic to develop four early childhood education workshops for staff who work in eligible educational settings or with child-care agencies. Boréal will offer these workshops in French through a $220K grant.

McGill University’s School of Social Work, Indigenous Access McGill, and the Cree School Board will be launching a Bachelor’s of Social Work focused on Cree priorities. This program is designed for the people of iiyiyiu aschii, and offers an academic schedule that reflects community life and remote classes so students can stay within their communities. The curriculum includes traditional knowledge and Cree language instruction. “This new program is based on relationships, connecting with the community, and truly embraces the concept of nothing about us without us,” said McGill Associate Professor in the School of Social Work Ann Seymour.

Sheridan College has launched Nova, an initiative focused on supporting the success of creative professionals. Nova is an interdisciplinary initiative that brings together teams of faculty, students, and professionals to navigate the changes facing creative industries and the challenges facing arts and content generation. These teams will explore new approaches to audience engagement, creative-content generation, and interdisciplinary practices. Nova’s first projects include The Creative Industries Catalyst, which will provide creative industry professionals with upskilling opportunities, and a project focused on supporting neurodiverse individuals so they can succeed in the tech industry.

Selkirk College has balanced its budget for the 2025-26 academic year by closing a $9M revenue gap through a variety of efforts. These include program suspensions, hiring changes, voluntary workforce reduction opportunities, spending restrictions, and strategic space utilization. These changes include a reduction in Selkirk’s workforce by 43 full-time equivalent positions. Rossland News reports that the budget reflects the drop in international student enrolment stemming from a reduction in study permits and changes in program eligibility for post-graduation work permit. However, Selkirk noted a positive trend in domestic applications compared to last year.

Kenjgewin Teg and Laurentian University have signed a Memorandum of Understanding focused on supporting students and communities. This MOU strengthens the relationship between Kenjgewin Teg and Laurentian and establishes a framework for the advancement of academic programming, research, and community development. Through the MOU, the two will work on joint initiatives such as course and academic program development, research and innovation, and events. “[O]ur shared commitment to a renewed collaboration seeks to provide new opportunities implementing meaningful Truth and Reconciliation action; and, in building this shared vision, we will be inclusively thinking about the principles of Allyship, and the rightful inclusion of Anishinabek-led and governed worldviews in postsecondary places of learning” said Kenjgewin Teg President Dr Beverley Roy.

Red River College Polytechnic and Yukon University have both announced that they will be reinstating programs that they previously paused and exploring the opportunity to expand these programs in the future. YukonU paused its First Nations Arts certificate program in 2023 after its lead instructor retired; the program will be returning with Tahltan carver Vernon Asp as the new lead instructor. Meanwhile, RRC Polytech has been renovating a previously unused space at its Portage la Prairie campus with the plan of reviving and expanding its culinary programming at the campus.