May 21, 2025

The University of New Brunswick Faculty of Law has officially launched a fundraising campaign called Where Leaders Are Made. The campaign seeks to raise $23M for efforts in four key areas: the classroom experience, experiential learning, research on societal challenges, and student support. “Our campaign pillars reflect our core values of promoting student success and fostering a collegial learning and working environment,” said UNB Law Dean Michael Marin. “Above all, they further our obligation as a law school to serve the public interest and promote confidence in the administration of justice.” To date, the campaign has raised $13.7M.

Concordia University has received $6.2M from the Government of Quebec to support its Collaborative Centres on Energy and its Transition (C²ET), a key pillar of the university’s Volt-Age research program. The funding will enable the acquisition of advanced tools for research and training in battery technology and electrification. “C²ET will provide all Concordia students and researchers with exceptional instruments, fostering their engagement in the electrification of society,” said C²ET Director Karim Zaghib. QC Minister Christopher Skeete said the investment will help train future skilled workers and contribute to the province’s 2050 decarbonization goals by accelerating applied research in the energy transition.

The University of Calgary’s School of Public Policy has launched a $6.5M initiative to study Canada-US relations amid rising geopolitical tensions and trade uncertainty. Funded by the Government of Alberta, the New North America Initiative aims to deepen cross-border academic and policy partnerships; address a gap in continental policy research, particularly from a western Canadian perspective; and help AB anticipate and respond to US policy shifts. “The University of Calgary’s School of Public Policy is taking the lead at a critical moment in Canada-US relations by gathering the expertise of our researchers and partners to provide evidence-based public policy guidance to government,” said UCalgary President Ed McCauley.

In an AI-driven world, humanities education is more essential than ever to help students build essential skills, writes Eric Stano for University Business. Stano argues that as AI grows more ubiquitous, students will need the critical, ethical, and interpersonal skills cultivated by the humanities to thrive. From ethical reasoning and empathy to interdisciplinary thinking and clear communication, Stano argues that the humanities provide the “platform-agnostic” capacities that enable students not just to use AI, but to lead wisely in an AI-driven world. “Machines may be getting smarter,” Stano concludes, “but we need the humanities to ensure that our students are getting wiser.”

Bow Valley College is reducing 103 positions as it addresses a projected $15.4M shortfall in its 2025–26 budget, reports CTV News. Of these positions, 97 are currently filled and six are vacant. BVC attributed its budget shortfall to declining international student enrolment and changes to funding for programs such as Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada and the Foundational Learning Assistance Program. “The college had to find efficiencies and make difficult decisions,” read a BVC statement.

Toronto Metropolitan University will soon have a nearby subway stop named after it, following a decision by the Toronto Transit Commission’s (TTC’s) board. The TMU Station name was approved as part of a partnership between TMU and the TTC. Toronto Star reports that TMU will be covering the cost of renaming Dundas Station, which is located on TTC’s Yonge-University line. A report produced by the TTC on the proposal to rename the station indicated multiple reasons for moving forward with the new name, including the history of its original namesake Henry Dundas and how the area around the station has been changed “dramatically” by TMU’s growth.

Postsecondary institutions are increasingly turning to smart digital infrastructure to reduce energy use, cut maintenance costs, and reinvest savings into sustainability initiatives, writes Brian Martucci in Higher Ed Dive. Martucci notes that in the US, institutions typically move through four stages of digital building management: from stand-alone systems, to connected networks, to “smart” systems that adjust based on sensor data and trends, and finally to “autonomous” buildings that self-optimize with minimal human input. These upgrades can improve HVAC performance, streamline operations, and avoid costly equipment replacements. While high startup costs and privacy concerns remain common hurdles, Martucci argues that digital transformation is increasingly seen as a practical tool for decarbonization and long-term resilience.

Cambrian College has reportedly placed an employee on leave following allegations that this individual falsely claimed an Indigenous identity, reports Sudbury.com. “We take these concerns seriously and are looking into the matter,” said Cambrian spokesperson Dan Lessard. “We also acknowledge the importance of ensuring respectful and accurate representation of Indigenous identities within our community.” CBC reports that the college is engaged in Indigenous-led discussions to develop a verification process for Indigenous Identity at this time.

Red River College Polytechnic has launched a modernized American Sign Language–English Interpretation Advanced Diploma Program with support from the Government of Manitoba. The updated three-year program emphasizes ASL fluency, Deaf history and culture, and work-integrated learning to prepare students for interpreter roles in schools, postsecondary institutions, and social services. Program changes also include revised admissions criteria, expanded simulation spaces, and the integration of Indigenous ways of knowing. “This new advanced diploma will have benefits to the community,” said RRC Polytech Acting VP Academic Aileen Najduch. The first intake will begin in Fall 2025.

Data from Coop UQAM members was stolen by cybercriminals and put for sale on the dark web, reports the Journal de Montréal. Coop UQAM, a cooperative bookstore located on Université du Québec à Montréal’s campus, experienced an incident in April in which an unauthorized third party accessed information in the member database. While users were reportedly notified about the breach last week, stolen data was advertised on the dark web at the end of April. Coop UQAM stated that it did not pay a ransom and that it is strengthening its security measures.