May 16, 2023

The University of Toronto Scarborough has received $25M from entrepreneur Sam Ibrahim to establish the Sam Ibrahim Centre for Inclusive Excellence in Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Leadership. The Sam Ibrahim Centre will leverage the university’s research and innovation expertise and global networks to provide student entrepreneurs with the connections, resources, and learning opportunities they need to accelerate their ideas and ventures. The funds will also go toward the new Sam Ibrahim Building, which will house the Sam Ibrahim Centre, student services offices, and computer and mathematical sciences spaces.

As the future of football at Simon Fraser University continues to be discussed in the broader media, SFU has announced the appointment of Bob Copeland as a Special Advisor. Copeland will complete a review of the football team and the future options available to SFU, and will produce a report assessing the situation in September 2023. A BC Supreme Court judge has also denied five football players a mandatory injunction to continue to have a football season. SFU President Joy Johnson apologized to the players for the stress and impact caused by the termination of the program.

The Government of Saskatchewan has increased its investment in student supports such as student tax credits, grants, and scholarships to $112M. The investment is $9M greater than last year’s investment. “Students are the future of our province and we are committed to supporting them from their first year of studies to entering Saskatchewan’s workforce after graduating,” said SK Advanced Education Minster Gordon Wyant. “The additional funding will address the growing needs of students and graduates in our province through increased student supports and enhanced repayment assistance.”

Researchers from postsecondary institutions across Canada are continuing to make breakthroughs and advances in cancer treatments and monitoring. At Queen’s University, MDetect, which was started out of Queen’s Cancer Research Institute, is trialing the use of blood tests to monitor treatment effectiveness. A University of Manitoba lab has published the results of a study into an innovative treatment for childhood brain cancer, which targets cell metabolism so that tumors will respond to treatments. Two universities have made breakthroughs related to glioblastomas (GBM): A McMaster University research team is developing a new treatment approach that targets two proteins that are associated with GBM’s aggression and resistance to treatment, while researchers from the University of Toronto and beyond have published a study on the results of using a unique “one-two punch” treatment for GBM that increased survival in a small group of patients.

Concordia University has partnered with the City of Shawinigan and the Cégep de Shawinigan’s Centre National en électrochimie et en Technologies Environnementales (CNETE) to create a thematic campus focused on energy transition. The campus will address climate change by fostering research, development, innovation, and education and training in areas related to the energy transition such as energy systems, electrochemistry, and next-generation batteries. “This exceptional synergy will enable the development of high-quality training programs and applied research,” said CNETE Director Nancy Déziel. “We are convinced that our complementary expertise will ensure we accelerate the innovative processes and products brought to market, thus making Quebec more competitive.”

Trent University has partnered with the Yellowknives Dene First Nation to launch an Indigenous Environmental Studies & Sciences diploma that is tailored for Dene students in the Northwest Territories. The curriculum blends Western sciences with Dene Indigenous Knowledge, and students will learn about foundations in Indigenous learning and the environment and explore language, ethics, and the environment. The program includes experiential learning opportunities that are grounded in YKDFN culture. Credits earned while completing the diploma will be transferrable to a BA or BSc program at Trent.

Dalhousie University has given the green light to a unique Black and African diaspora degree program focused on the experience of African Canadians. The program has already received approval from the university’s senate, which Dal transition year program director Isaac Saney described the as a “poignant and historic moment.” Black Cultural Society of Nova Scotia executive director Russell Grosse praised the program as a “remarkable opportunity” to focus on Black history, particularly the unique story of the African Canadian experience, and learn more through research. The program must be approved by the Maritime Provinces Higher Education Commission to move forward.

Centennial College unveiled the Ann Buller Learning Centre last week, which has been renamed in honour of the college’s longest serving president and first President Emeritus, Ann Buller. Buller oversaw the development of the new library and academic facility during her 15-year tenure as president of the college. “It was Ann’s desire to see the cramped and stuffy library in the C-Block building replaced by a purpose-built facility that is conducive to quiet study and … group study,” explained former Board of Governors Chair Scott Allison at the unveiling. “Ann’s dedication to Centennial and her passion and commitment towards students will be forever remembered, and we are so proud to unveil the Ann Buller Learning Centre.”

The Justice Institute of British Columbia and the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) in Singapore have signed a memorandum of understanding agreeing to explore collaboration opportunities. The two institutes will explore opportunities to collaborate on curriculum development, joint research partnerships and program development, and student and faculty exchange opportunities. JIBC President Dr Michel Tarko explained that the institute has worked with Singapore’s government and postsecondary institutions in the past to provide education and paramedicine training. “We are pleased to now continue this work with the Institute of Technical Education,” said Tarko.

Queen’s University has announced that it its Physical Therapy Program is transitioning to a competency-based education (CBE) model of learning this Fall. The re-designed curriculum will focus on building essential competencies: Training will be organized around competencies and milestones, with students progressing through milestones and revisiting concepts at increasing levels of complexity while continuing to participate in academic and clinical education experiences. “This is in line with a pan-Canadian shift to more responsive and accountable educational models for health professionals,” said Queen’s Vice-Dean (Health Sciences) and Director, School of Rehabilitation Therapy Stephanie Nixon. “We are proud to be first in the country to bring this developmental and educational focus to Physical Therapy.”