June 30, 2025

Wilfrid Laurier University and the Balsillie School of International Affairs have received a $5M gift from philanthropist Jim Balsillie to launch the Digital Governance Initiative. The initiative will include professional programs, a legal advisory centre for international trade and technology governance, and a proposed new graduate degree focused on topics such as law and digital sovereignty. “Innovation without governance leaves us vulnerable; governance without innovation stagnates progress,” said Balsillie School Director Ann Fitz-Gerald. “Through this initiative, we will equip the next trade negotiators, public servants and legal professionals with the skills to lead in a data-driven, digitally mediated world.”

Thompson Rivers University will be undertaking a significant campus retrofit as part of a broader $50M initiative led by the Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) and Creative Energy. Through this project, TRU will retrofit 12 existing buildings and add low-carbon heating to its Indigenous Education Centre, replacing decentralized natural gas systems with centralized, high-efficiency heat sources. “This initiative not only promises a more sustainable campus but also invigorates sustainability initiatives that actively involve and benefit students,” said TRU President Dr Brett Fairbairn.

Canada’s postsecondary institutions should be treated as national infrastructure—central to economic resilience and adaptation—rather than an afterthought, argue Business + Higher Education Roundtable CEO Val Walker and Chief R&D Officer Matthew McKean. Drawing on data from a recent BHER report, Walker and McKean call for better funding, support for institutional differentiation, and stronger business–PSE collaboration. Proven approaches—such as work-integrated learning, regional talent pipelines, and microcredentials—should also be scaled. Without action, “we’ll leave talent on the table, ideas in the lab, opportunity on the margins, and trust in institutions, further eroded,” they conclude.

The University of Guelph has announced the creation of the Local First Nations Award to support students from the 11 First Nations communities on whose treaty lands and territories the university resides. The awards will provide funds equivalent to tuition for students in the associate diploma and undergraduate programs, and up to $10K annually for students in graduate programs. All full-time or part-time students at UoGuelph, UoGuelph-Humber, or UoGuelph Ridgetown will be eligible for the awards if they are members of one of the 11 communities. “Postsecondary education is not only a tool for personal growth, it is essential to the future of our Nations,” said Caldwell First Nation Chief Nikki van Oirschot.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has released its updated list of eligible fields of study for post-graduation work permits (PGWPs). The list has been updated to reflect the Government of Canada’s 2025 Express Entry priorities: 119 new fields of study have been added, while 178 have been removed. The added fields are largely those in key sectors like education, health care, social services, and the skilled trades. “Students who applied for a study permit before June 25, 2025, will still be eligible for a PGWP if their field of study was on the list when they applied for their study permit even if it has since been removed,” said IRCC.

The University of British Columbia recently celebrated the official opening of its new recreation centre. The 101,000-square-foot centre features three gymnasium courts, an indoor track, cardio and weightlifting areas, a multi-purpose studio space, and the largest universal change facilities on campus. “It will serve as a space where students and the wider university community can prioritize both their physical and mental health while studying, living, and working on the Vancouver campus,” explained UBC VP Students Ainsley Carry. The building is LEED Gold-certified and Rick Hansen Foundation-certified.

Dalhousie University has released its 2025–26 operating budget, which projects a $20.6M deficit and outlines funding cuts and tuition adjustments. CBC reports that departments will face a 1% budget cut and must absorb compensation increases, amounting to an effective five per cent reduction. Dal Faculty Association President David Westwood warned of job losses and course cuts, while Dal Student Union President Maren Mealey raised concerns about student supports. International undergraduates not covered by tuition guarantees will see a 6.7% tuition fee increase, with some graduate students facing hikes of up to 7.2%. Dal Provost Wanda Costen cited the pressures of declining international enrolment and rising costs as key drivers.

Western University has announced that it will be entering partnership discussions with global recruitment and education provider Navitas. These discussions are focused on the potential creation of Western International College, which would host international students for their first-year courses and other preparation or prerequisite courses before they transition to Western for their studies. “A diverse campus, global partnerships and a strong, international alumni base are part of what makes a great university,” said Western Provost and VP Academic Florentine Strzelczyk. The university also recently celebrated the opening of its Mission Control Facility, which will be used for research activities such as tracking and communicating with satellites. Once licensed by the Government of Canada, the facility will operate independently of agencies like CSA and NASA.

Collège Montmorency and the Institut de tourisme et d’hôtellerie du Québec (ITHQ) have renewed their long-standing partnership to continue offering the three-year Restaurant Management Techniques program. The program enables students to complete their final year at ITHQ’s facilities in Montréal, where they gain hands-on experience in its teaching hotel, bar, and restaurants. The agreement, in place for 15 years, supports practical, industry-informed training in restaurant management, food production, and service innovation. Leaders from both institutions emphasized the value of combining academic learning with real-world experience, as well as the vital role of staff members who helped facilitate the renewal.

Durham College has received a $1.5M donation from The Joyce Family Foundation to launch a new bursary for students entering preparatory programs. The bursary will support up to 10 students each year who have faced adversity, covering tuition for their entry program and up to four years of continued studies. Recipients will also be paired with mentors through DC’s Alumni Mentorship Program. “This bursary fosters resilience, builds confidence, and opens pathways to long-term academic and personal success,” said Durham College President Dr Elaine Popp. Applications will open in January 2026.