Earlier this week, a professor and two students from a Philosophy class focused on gender issues were stabbed at the University of Waterloo. All three people were taken to the hospital to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries and the suspect was arrested on campus. The Waterloo Regional Police states that the accused has been charged with multiple offenses and that investigators believe it was a hate-motivated incident. The Globe and Mail reports that several faculty members reported not receiving any notifications about the danger despite a test of the university’s emergency notification system being held that day; the university stated that it will promptly review its emergency notification systems. “In the coming days many of you will have questions about why this happened and about the University’s response,” wrote UWaterloo VPA and Provost James W E Rush. “My commitment to you is that senior leaders will be as transparent as possible with the information we have.”

Top Ten News
June 30, 2023
The Government of Manitoba has launched its French Language Recruitment and Retention Strategy to increase the supply of French language teachers in the province. The strategy has four focus areas: encouraging more high school students to choose a career in teaching French; enhancing the current university training provided to French teachers; prioritizing equitable recruitment, hiring, and certification practices; and developing orientation and support programs for all teachers. “The strategy to address the shortage of teachers supports French-language initiatives as an integral part of Manitoba’s education system, and will help ensure these opportunities will continue to be available in our educational communities,” said MB Education and Early Childhood Learning Minister Wayne Ewasko.
In an article for University Affairs, Natalie Samson reflects on how postsecondary institutions across Canada are using photo contests to engage students and the public in research. Samson discusses the success of the University of Saskatchewan’s Images of Research contest, for example, which has significantly boosted levels of public engagement with research coming out of the institution. Similar competitions have also been organized at institutions such as the University of Calgary, Queen’s University, the University of New Brunswick, and the University of Guelph. Samson writes that these contests demonstrate the effectiveness of photography as a tool in knowledge-translation and scientific communication.
Three new learning initiatives will provide learners with an opportunity to gain new skills, free-of-charge. Nova Scotia Community College will pilot the CCA-Practical Nursing Bridging Program, which will train continuing care assistants (CCAs) to become licensed practical nurses. The Government of Ontario is investing $1.3M in a free truck driver training program for women, newcomers, and others from underrepresented groups. In addition to gaining the experience necessary for attaining their trucking license, participants will learn about topics such as defensive driving, human trafficking awareness, and forklift operation. Algonquin College has launched the Skills for Success program, which teaches new Canadians the skills they need to work in entry level office administration roles.
Coast Mountain College and Marinduque State College (MSC) of Philippines have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The MOU was signed virtually by CMTN President Dr Laurie Waye and MSC President Dr Diosdado Zulueta. It will facilitate collaboration between the two colleges in areas such as student and faculty exchanges; cross-cultural activities; joint research initiatives; and knowledge, technology, and information exchange. The partnership will also include visiting lecturers and support for groundbreaking research through a stimulating environment.
Cape Breton University’s administrative and support workers–represented by CUPE Local 3131–have filed for conciliation after bargaining talks between the union and the university failed to yield productive results. CUPE Local 3131 represents a variety of administrative workers at CBU, including those in the finance department, admissions, and in student affairs. Negotiations between the union and the university have been ongoing for some months now, with key issues up for discussion including a pay raise for the support workers. A conciliator has been appointed, though a date for the meeting has not yet been set.
In an op-ed for Times Higher Ed, Harvey J Graff (The Ohio State University) argues that universities should teach a “genuinely common core of knowledge.” Graff reflects on his own experience attending university–including studies at the University of Toronto–in the 1960s, when general education requirements were common. This model allowed students to take a wider range of elective courses, resulting in a common core of knowledge and connect with individuals outside their primary discipline. Graff argues that universities should devote resources toward providing a foundational core of knowledge that includes interdisciplinary content so that students can better understand how their respective disciplines connect to modern issues.
The University of Lethbridge and Navitas have announced a strategic partnership to offer new opportunities to international students through the ULethbridge International College Calgary (UICC). UICC, which was recently approved as a Designated Learning Institution, will offer integrated and highly customized programming to first-year international students, preparing them to progress into second year in certain undergraduate programs at ULethbridge’s campuses. Navitas and the university will collaborate on program and services design, and the college will begin recruiting international students this fall.
Mount Saint Vincent University has launched ARUCC’s MyCreds™ platform in order to provide students and graduates with direct, 24/7 access to their academic documents and transcripts via the MyCreds™ platform. These documents can be securely shared with other postsecondary institutions, government bodies, employers, and other third parties as necessary. MSVU will also launch a second phase of the project, which will make additional academic documents such as acceptance letters and credentials available through the online platform.
In a recent Nature podcast, journalist Adam Levy interviews Morteza Mahmoudi (Michigan State University) and geoscientist Chris Jackson about bullying in academia. Mahmoudi and Jackson discuss the various impacts of bullying in academia, including mental health problems and an exodus from the sector, and talk about how aspects of academic institutions can create an environment that is conducive to bullying. Mahmoudi and Jackson identify a few measures individuals can take if they become the target of bullying, including documenting everything, taking collective action with allies, and learning about the internal and external resources available to them.