March 10, 2026

Selkirk College has received $3.3M to support the expansion of its Selkirk Technology Access Centre. A $1.65M investment was made by PacifiCan’s Regional Innovation Ecosystems program; these funds were matched by industry leaders including D-Pace, TRIUMF, Mitacs, and the Columbia Basin Trust. The funding will be used to expand the centre’s manufacturing services and build particle accelerator research capacity at the Selkirk Ion-source Research Centre. Selkirk President Maggie Matear said that the funding will strengthen local industry and create a hub for high-tech innovation in the West Kootenays.

Laurentian University has partnered with the Government of Canada, Creative Destruction Lab, and a collection of mining companies to investigate the development of a digital library of geological drill core data. Natural Resources Canada simultaneously committed up to $40M for the project, which would store digital records from across the country. Laurentian Director of Research & Innovation Gisele Roberts said the project would provide valuable opportunities for Laurentian co-op and internship students. Sudbury MP Viviane Lapointe claims that the project will provide a “huge boost” for Canada’s mining industry, citing the success of a similar effort in Australia.

Three Canadian universities—Dalhousie University, the University of New Brunswick, and the University of Toronto—have signed MOUs with South Korean shipbuilder Hanwha Ocean.The universities will collaborate with Hanwha Ocean on research, innovation, and education in several areas such as acoustic and stealth technologies, digital and simulation technologies, and Intelligent and automated technologies. “These collaborations strengthen Canada’s innovation ecosystem, elevate our sovereign capabilities and prepare our students to contribute to complex global engineering programs,” said U of T Director of International Research Partnerships Illan Kramer.

Several institutions marked International Women’s Day 2026 by reaffirming their commitment to an inclusive future and by highlighting women in their community—including faculty, staff, alumni, and students—who have made an impact. Institutions such as Brock University, Saskatchewan Polytechnic, and the University of Waterloo highlighted the work that their researchers are doing in areas such as women’s health, AI and technology, and access to education for women in developing countries. MacEwan University shared an interview with six women faculty and staff members about their perspective on the day and the day’s theme: “Give to Gain.” Niagara College’s Teaching Brewery marked the day with the release of small batch beers in support of the Pink Boots Society of Canada.

As Thomspon Rivers University continues to develop its pan-institutional approach to AI—called TRU HorAIzon—faculty members are experimenting with different ways to work with AI in the classroom. Castanet reports that some faculty have created new AI tools that are tailored to the realities of their classroom. Faculty members such as Assistant Professor Quan Nguyen and Assistant Professor Anila Virani emphasized the importance of ensuring that students use AI responsibly and ethically. They also shared the AI programs they custom created for their classrooms, including “TRU-Think”—an AI that combats overreliance on AI by guiding students on how to find the answers to their questions, rather than giving them the answers outright—and “AISimSpeak,” which enables nursing students to practice speaking with simulated patients.

George Brown Polytechnic and the University of Toronto have signed an MOU to expand student pathways and collaboration in STEM, healthcare, education, trades, and other priority areas. George Brown and U of T will update existing transfer pathways, explore joint programming, and consider complementary program growth, with an aim of strengthening student pathways and ensuring that programs respond to labour market needs. The two will also explore how they can share facilities, infrastructure, and teaching capacity. “By working more closely together, we can foster clearer pathways and reduce barriers to ensure learners have access to the education and training they need to thrive,” said George Brown President Dr Gervan Fearon.

Kwantlen Polytechnic University is undergoing several changes to its leadership and staff. KPU’s Board of Governors has reportedly terminated Bruce Choy’s employment at the university president for reasons that will reportedly remain confidential. The Daily Hive reports that KPU is also preparing for a new round of layoffs in response to declining international student enrolment. KPU has reportedly seen a decline of nearly 4,500 students in the last two years, and KPU Acting President Dr Diane Purvey said that the university is anticipating a further reduction of almost 1,000 by 2027.

The University of Prince Edward Island and Yukon University have each shared updates on their union negotiations. UPEI and IBEW Local 1928, which represents maintenance staff at the university, have begun negotiations. At YukonU, the tentative agreement between the university and the employees’ union has officially been ratified. The three-year agreement—spanning July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2027—includes a combined 12.75% wage increase for staff, a combined 10.75% wage increase for faculty, and changes such as the addition of a teaching stream for faculty.

Collège de Bois-de-Boulogne has inaugurated a new aquaponics facility, which will be used for experiential learning opportunities and the demonstration of a circular economy. The facility combines fish farming and plant cultivation in one system: Wastes from the fish fertilize the plants, which filter the water before it is returned to the pond. Students will use the lab for hands-on learning as they explore biology, ecology, and sustainable development concepts. Collège de Bois-de-Boulogne directrice générale Pascale Sirard said that the project reflects the institution’s commitment to enriching its teaching practices and raising awareness about sustainability. The facility was created through collaboration with Écosystèmes Alimentaires Urbains.

NorQuest College has “reinvented” its career fair to respond to the current world of recruitment. In addition to traditional booths from local employers, the fair included resources to prepare students to look for jobs in today’s hiring environment, get past AI resume screening tools, and prepare a strong social media presence. This included a photographer who took professional headshots for students’ online profiles; a community clothing corner with free business attire; and a lab where students could learn how to optimize their LinkedIn through games. “[Success on LinkedIn is] about how good your profile picture is, how strong your bio is, and keywords designed to attract recruiters nowadays,” said NorQuest instructor Mahbub Mishu.