May 30, 2025

Graduates of Lakehead University’s Indigenous Access Programs will now have their efforts formally recognized with an official credential. Indigenous graduates from the Indigenous Transition Year Program, Indigenous STEM Access Program, and Indigenous Nursing Entry Program will receive the Gii Gashkatoon Gii Kendaaswin Mazina’igan: Indigenous Access Programs credential. Lakehead’s Elders Council gifted the credential this name, which means “You completed your education and certificate” in Anishinaabemowin. “When students are acknowledged for completing their first credential, it affirms their success and inspires them to keep moving forward—whether that’s further study, joining the workforce, or continuing their education at Lakehead,” said Lakehead Vice-Provost Indigenous Initiatives Denise Baxter.

The U15 has released From Discovery to Prosperity – A Roadmap for Homegrown Success, which outlines how research universities should be leveraged to support Canada. It encourages the Government of Canada to prioritize supporting talent, research, and innovation to strengthen Canadian success during uncertain times. It further highlights the importance of expanding Canada’s talent pipeline, developing talent through research, fueling innovation, and connecting research to communities. “By drawing on the depth and breadth of our institutions, U15 Canada is committed to supporting the government’s efforts to achieve shared national priorities,” concludes the document.

Holland College, Lethbridge Polytechnic, and Trent University have each recently launched new programs that will prepare learners for the demands and needs of key industries. Holland College is supporting farmers with a Microcredential in Agriculture Energy Assessment, which will cover topics related to energy and sustainability in agriculture. Leth Polytech is launching a four-year Powerline Technician Apprenticeship program this October. The program will prepare students to work in Alberta’s electrical utility sector. Trent has launched an Honours BA in Accounting and Economics with a direct CPA pathway, which will prepare graduates for careers as CPAs and in related roles. The program includes a paid co-op stream and access to Trent’s Financial Intelligence and Innovation Hub.

While Thompson Rivers University is anticipating an overall drop in enrolment, the institution is reportedly seeing a rise in domestic applications. Castanet reports that the university expects its enrolment to drop by 8% next year due to international student policy changes and low study permit approval rates. However, TRU Integrated Planning and Effectiveness Manager Dominique Bourdin said that domestic applications have increased by 30% and accepted offers have gone up by 20%. Castanet reports that TRU’s domestic enrolment increases are expected to “mostly offset the international dip.” TRU Acting VP Academic and Provost Shannon Wagner further noted that the university needs to address the enrolment decline by focusing on “efficiencies and effectiveness,” increasing revenue generation, and creating opportunities for research.

In a recent article for Times Higher Ed, Jakub Drábik (Anglo-American University) discusses how generative AI is reshaping the meaning of academic excellence. Drábik writes that native fluency in English, elite educational pedagogy, and early immersion in academic norms give some scholars an advantage. However, now that generative AI tools can be used by scholars to help translate, reword, and refine their studies, “it could fundamentally reshape what academic excellence looks like, how it’s achieved, and who gets to perform at the top level.” Drábik concludes by describing the limits of this solution, including that some institutions remain hesitant about the use of AI and that AI tool use requires technical proficiency.

York University recently celebrated the official opening of the Taihua Wang Science Student Success Centre, which was funded by a $1.6M gift from Cell Biotechnology Co Ltd CEO Taihua Wang. The centre is a space where students can access advising and support or take advantage of dedicated social and study spaces. It includes spaces such as a lounge area and study pods, which will enable students to study individually or in groups. “This centre, made possible by Dr Wang’s transformative gift, will strengthen York’s ability to empower students and help them reach their full potential in science and beyond,” said YorkU President Rhonda Lenton.

Nature has issued an editorial to a recent study that identified a “pivot penalty” affecting researchers who changed their field of study. Through an analysis of 25.8M papers published and 1.7M patents granted between 1970 and 2015, Ryan Hill et al discovered a “pervasive ‘pivot penalty’” in which scientists who changed fields saw a steep decline in the impact of their research in the new field. The authors found that this penalty was universal across fields, career stages, productivity, and other contextual factors, and has become more noticeable over time. Nature says that this matter must be addressed, as a willingness to explore new fields should be incentivized, encouraged, and celebrated. “The world needs researchers to be able to hop outside their areas of specialism, even if only once in a while, without a penalty to their career,” says Nature.

The Université du Québec à Rimouski will receive $1.5M from the Government of Québec for research on coastal erosion and submersion. The funds will support the next phase of a project focused on beach replenishment and the impact of marine weather conditions on beaches in the estuary and gulf of St Lawrence. UQAR Professor Pascal Bernatchez said that this funding will support the development of tools that will address challenges related to coastal hazards.

St Clair College and the University of Windsor have announced that their Collaborative Honours Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Registered Practical Nurse Pathway to BScN programs have received the seven-year accreditation from the Canadian Association of Schools of Nursing. This is the longest possible term length for accreditation, which recognizes the program’s high academic standards and continuous quality improvement process. “Now we continue to uphold our commitment to nursing excellence and live up to the accreditation we were awarded,” said St Clair School of Nursing Chair Corrin Primeau.

The athletics teams at Brandon University and MacEwan University have each recently shared new developments with their team logos. BrandonU has installed a 24-foot Bobcats logo on the asphalt in front of the Healthy Living Centre, along with crosswalks that feature Bobcat pawprints and “Go Bobcats!” BrandonU says that it hopes that these new installations will draw drivers’ attention to the intersection. MacEwan has unveiled its new Griffins brand and logo, which was designed by alumnus and former MacEwan’s men’s hockey team player Curtis Ogrodiuk. MacEwan says that the logo pays homage to previous logos while being modern and timeless.