June 3, 2024

Postsecondary institutions across Canada are celebrating Pride Month with special events, initiatives, and stories. Institutions like Brock University, Dalhousie University, Durham College, Humber College, the University of Saskatchewan, Vancouver Island University, and Wilfrid Laurier University raised flags on their campuses to honour the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community. Several institutions held other special events, like a Pride in the Park picnic at Humber and a gathering with games and cupcakes at VIU. Some institutions took a moment to highlight the achievements of their students and alumni, like the University of Manitoba, which shared the story of an alumnus who uses the skills he developed during his degree to support his work as a drag queen.

The Southern Alberta Institute of Technology has received a $30M donation from Don and Ruth Taylor for the construction of a new campus centre. CTV News reports that the new centre will serve as the campus’ cornerstone. It will include a triple gym, running track, and rink; health and wellness facilities where students can do practicums; conference and event space; and more. The building is scheduled to open in 2027 and will be named the Taylor Family Campus Centre in honour of the donation. “As a future cornerstone of campus life, the Taylor Family Campus Centre will support the next generation of SAIT students and establish a sense of community and belonging in space designed to forge new connections and strengthen old ones,” said SAIT President Dr David Ross.

The Government of Canada recently announced major investments through the Healthy Canadians and Communities Fund (HCCF) and PacifiCan’s Regional Quantum Initiative (RQI) fund. 1QBit, Simon Fraser University, and University of British Columbia have received a combined $11M through the RQI. Each organization will use the funds to pursue projects related to quantum technology. Meanwhile, research projects conducted by the Canadian Cancer Society, McMaster University, and the University of Toronto have received $9.5M through the HCCF fund. The funded projects are focused on decreasing smoking and supporting healthy living in at-risk populations.

The Université du Québec à Montréal has approved a resolution that meets most of the demands made by the protesters who set up a pro-Palestinian encampment on campus earlier this month. The protesters have agreed to dismantle the encampment by June 6th. Among the demands that UQÀM has agreed to include calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and asking the UQÀM Foundation to ensure it has no direct investments in weapons companies. “UQÀM is and remains a place for exchange and reflection,” UQÀM rector Stéphane Pallage. “I’m proud we’ve been able to maintain a dialogue with those present at the camp since it was set up on May 12.”

Recent articles from CBC and Nature discuss the challenges that Black students face while navigating academia. CBC highlights the stories of several Black students from McMaster University, who discussed their struggles with imposter syndrome. McMaster student Rebecca Bekele noted that as both a Black student and a woman, it can be difficult to acknowledge her own accomplishments. In an interview with Nature, Kaela S Singleton shared the challenges she faced while completing her PhD, including racial stereotyping and feeling pressure to be excellent all the time. In her comments, Singleton stated that she would like to break the “stereotype of Black resilience […] because it implies that I know how to persevere only through struggle.”

Three institutions in Ontario are drawing on technology to offer new learning experiences and improve their services. Collège Boréal’s paramedic program acquired an ambulance simulator that includes panoramic screens and a cabin mounted on hydraulic jacks to offer an immersive training environment. At Toronto Metropolitan University, Dr Sean Wise created an AI-powered chatbot called ProfBot, which draws on course material to act as a personal study assistant for students. Wise told University Affairs that the bot’s scope has been intentionally limited to make it less susceptible to abuse and improve its accuracy. Meanwhile, York University has announced that it will use MyCreds Verify to conduct secure verification checks of degrees and graduation status.

Nunavut Arctic College, the Nunavut Housing Corporation (NHC), and Pewapun Construction Limited are collaborating to increase the supply of affordable student housing and provide trades training opportunities for students. Under this new pilot project–set to begin in July 2024–Arctic College students and instructors will build six new three-bedroom affordable housing units for student families in Rankin Inlet. “Our collaboration with Pewapun Construction promises employment-based apprenticeship training for 20-40 students enrolled in our trades programs,” said Nunavut Minister for Arctic College Karen Nutarak. “This opportunity enables students to not only acquire knowledge and skills to support their personal and professional growth, but also to actively participate in community development.”

Trent University has partnered with Action First Aid to ensure that its campuses in Peterborough and Durham are cardiac safe environments for students, staff, and visitors. The partners have placed 37 publicly accessible automated external defibrillators (AEDs) around the campuses. With the placement of the AEDs, Trent states that it will be in compliance with the Government of Ontario’s Defibrillator Registration and Public Access Act when it comes into force. “AEDs can be used by anyone,” explained Trent Manager of Environment Health and Safety Elyse Sawdon, “[T]hey are a strong and obvious choice to enhance our health and safety measures for everyone who works, studies, plays, and visits on campus.”

In an article for The Conversation, Lisa Ruth Brunner (University of British Columbia) highlights the use of AI to predict who will receive study permit approval from Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Brunner states that prior to the international student cap, international applicants to Canada were primarily assessed based on educational credentials, but now, some postsecondary institutions may start considering the likelihood of applicants receiving study permits. Brunner states that some institutions have hired private companies that use AI to predict which students are likely to be assessed favourably by the IRCC and argues that this practice threatens the diversity of Canada’s pool of future immigrants. The author concludes that IRCC, private companies, and postsecondary institutions must make it clear to international applicants how they are being assessed.

The Southern Ontario Network for Advanced Manufacturing Innovation (SONAMI)–a network led by Niagara College that includes 11 postsecondary institutions–has formed an ecosystem partnership with the Canadian Black Chamber of Commerce (CBCC). This partnership aims to support Black-owned companies in the Canadian manufacturing industry by connecting CBCC members to Ontario manufacturers; hosting events; offering mentorship and procurement opportunities; and developing collaborative supplier diversity initiatives. The partners will especially work together in advanced manufacturing and technologies, clean-tech, automotive, aerospace, energy systems, and the food processing sectors.