March 6, 2025

The University of Manitoba has released The Truth and Reconciliation Framework: Time for Action, which will serve as a guiding document for UManitoba’s efforts in advancing reconciliation and working with Indigenous persons and communities. The framework is centered around four focus areas: Integrating Indigenous knowledges and ways of being, creating a sense of belonging, empowering learning, and decolonizing and Indigenizing spaces and places. “Success will be built on love, relationship, trust, truth-telling and promise-keeping,” commented Knowledge Keeper Leslie Spillett. “It is the work of warriors – those who lead, listen, act, and take full responsibility for what we do right, what we get wrong, and what we fail to do.”

Southeast College has announced that it will no longer be operating a storefront campus location in Moosomin. The Moosomin Campus has largely been vacant in the last two years, aside from hosting the college’s electrician program for 18-week periods, and has been staffed on an as-needed casual basis. Southeast will continue offering courses in Moosomin through rental and lease agreements and will continue to explore future program opportunities for the region. “The combination of economic challenges and declining student demand is the main reason for the change,” said Southeast Interim President Jody Holzmiller. “Southeast College remains committed to the town of Moosomin and the surrounding area.”

The Government of Saskatchewan has increased its lifetime Graduate Retention Program (GRP) maximum by 20% for students who graduated on or after October 1, 2024. The GRP provides tuition rebates to graduates who live and pay taxes in SK after completing their postsecondary education. The increase means that graduates will now benefit from up to $24K in GRP tax credits over a seven-year period. “Postsecondary graduates play a pivotal role in supporting Saskatchewan’s Growth Plan and Labour Market Strategy and we encourage them to take advantage of this tax credit and build their lives here in Saskatchewan,” said SK Advanced Education Minister Ken Cheveldayoff.

Western University has launched an online version of its Master of Library & Information Science program. The online program, which is offered full-and part-time, is designed to provide greater flexibility and accessibility to students who cannot attend classes on campus. “Students in Canada have few options to access Library and Information Science studies if physically attending a campus doesn’t work for them,” said Western Faculty of Information and Media Studies Dean Lisa Henderson. “Our online option will allow students with family or job responsibilities, or access needs that require more flexibility, to enrol full-time or part-time in a leading MLIS program.”

If postsecondary institutions want to address student loneliness and the issue of social isolation, they also need to address the quality of student relationships, writes Kimberly Quinn, (Champlain College in Vermont). While postsecondary professionals may be able to coax students out of their dorm rooms, Quinn writes that they need to focus on helping students find a sense of belonging rather than just trying to “fit in” with their peers. The author explains that authenticity and helping students know their value makes it possible for them to find human connection. “This is what our students need most, and we can help them get there by mirroring their value with every given opportunity,” writes Quinn.

Several members of the Ontario postsecondary sector have issued statements on the results of the recent election in Ontario. OPSEU reiterated its commitment to holding governments accountable and thanked the members who put their names forward as candidates for the election. COU, OCUFA, and OUSA each emphasized the role that the postsecondary sector plays in the province’s prosperity and called for renewed sector funding. “If we expect to maintain a world-class university system, this new government needs to take a hard look at the resources they plan to invest in higher education over the next four years,” said OCUFA Executive Director Jenny Ahn.

Capilano University has partnered with the Whistler Film Festival Society (WFFS) to grow capacity for domestic talent development for the BC film industry. The partnership will bring more opportunities and educational pathways for both students and industry professionals. Through this partnership, several WFFS programs will be brought to CapU’s Squamish campus. Film and media students will also have the opportunity to engage in work-integrated learning at the Whistler Film Festival and Content Summit. In addition to the partnership, CapU also announced that it will launch a new certificate in outdoor filmmaking that will begin in Fall 2025.

Brock University has signed an agreement with Follett Canada that will see Follett assuming operation of its Campus Store in May. The store will continue to offer its existing merchandise and programs for used textbooks, price matching, and textbook buyback. Campus Store profits will be reinvested back into the university’s academic programs and services. “This transition will allow the Campus Store to respond more efficiently to the changing needs of the Brock community while supporting the University’s overall financial sustainability strategy,” said Brock Provost and Vice-President, Academic Arja Vainio-Mattila. Follett will assume operation of the store on May 26.

Collège Boréal, MacEwan University, and Saskatchewan Polytechnic have recently received gifts of technology and tools from industry partners that will help students to develop their skills. Boréal received a MOSS (Miner Operated Survey System) monitoring system through a donation from NSS Canada. This system will be used by students in the Civil and Mining Construction Engineering Technician program. MacEwan’s Hearing Aid Practitioner program has received donations of cutting-edge hearing aids and equipment from five hearing aid manufacturers. Sask Polytech has received a new flight simulator capable of simulating four different classes of aircraft, courtesy of funds from PrairiesCan. The simulator will be used by commercial pilot students.

Skilled Trades College and mixed martial arts organization UFC have renewed their partnership. Under the renewed partnership, STC will be the presenting partner of an upcoming UFC event in Montréal, with its branding displayed throughout the week’s official activities. STC will also have ownership of athlete prep points and round cards. The partnership will also continue to support a scholarship at the college. “UFC has a commitment to excellence, and it aligns perfectly with Skilled Trades College’s mission to equip young people with the skills necessary to thrive in the trades industry,” said STC CEO Ralph Cerasuolo.