May 8, 2024

The University of British Columbia, the University of Guelph, the University of Toronto, and France-based Sciences Po have collaborated to launch the Climate Adaptation, Resilience and Empowerment (CARE) Program. The program—which is supported by a five-year, $10.44M grant from Fondation DRG—includes four components: a multi-campus climate leadership course; interdisciplinary courses run between the universities; on-campus and in-field applied learning; and advocacy and communications. It will provide graduate exchanges between Canada and France with a focus on accelerating climate action through hands-on academic, policy, and leadership training. Program participants will have access fellowships to enable student and faculty exchanges as well as scholarships for master’s level studies.

Cégep de Lanaudière has temporarily closed the doors to its campuses in Joliette, L’Assomption, Terrebonne, and Repentigny after the institution suffered from a cyberattack last week. While no data leak is suspected, the cégep said that they will pause face-to-face and distance learning courses. During this time, the institution will consult with external cybersecurity experts to investigate the matter further. A music school located on the Joliette campus noted that the cyberattack impacted the campus’ lighting, heating, ventilation, and fire alarm system.

Students at McMaster University and the University of Manitoba have formed pro-Palestine encampments on their respective campuses. Protestors at both universities are calling for divestment and for their institution to suspend or cut their ties and partnerships with Israeli academic institutions. At UManitoba, protest organizers have also demanded a formal public statement endorsing Palestinian rights. Both universities confirmed their support for the right to freedom of expression and to peaceful protest, and added that university activities will continue as usual. McMaster Dean of Students Sean Van Kougnett told the Hamilton Spectator that the university’s focus “will continue to be on ensuring campus remains safe and welcoming for everyone.”

Several postsecondary institutions are celebrating Asian Heritage Month during the month of May. Nipissing University highlighted resources that its community can use to learn about the contributions, achievements, and experiences of Asian Canadians. The University of Saskatchewan hosted a panel event where speakers shared their lived experiences and encouraged the community to learn more through a variety of resources. Capilano University highlighted stories about the Asian Canadian diaspora, while Royal Roads University President Philip Steenkamp and RRU Professor Juana Du held a discussion about understanding and collaborating across cultures. The University of British Columbia Okanagan and Okanagan College supported a special event hosted by the OCCA Communities Association with musical performances, talks from faculty members and institutional leaders, and more.

Algoma University and Holland College have each announced new developments and projects on the housing front. AlgomaU is expanding its student housing with the construction of a residence with up to 600 beds. The residence will include single and double bedrooms grouped in four-to-six-bed suites; each will have bathrooms, a kitchen, and a dedicated living space. Meanwhile, Holland College has partnered with the Government of Prince Edward Island’s PEI Housing Corporation to create single-family homes that will address the greater community’s need for affordable housing. College students from programs ranging from carpentry to HVAC are involved in building the homes, which will be used by families in the community in need of housing.

Oulton College and the University of Prince Edward Island have each announced programs that will provide students with an accelerated option for completing health-related studies. Oulton will launch an accelerated three-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) program this Fall. The program will feature small class sizes and allow for ample hands-on experience, including more than 1,300 hours dedicated to clinical settings alone. UPEI has added a one-year course-based professional stream to its Master of Applied Health Services Research program. The stream will provide students with a flexible, online option to complete their studies in health services research.

In an article for the Conversation, Yvonne Su (York University), Corey Robinson (University of Glasgow), and Sean Rehaag (YorkU) discuss the recent allegations that international students may be misusing Canada’s immigration system. The authors argue that focusing on refugee claim approvals provides a more well-rounded view of the issue. They assert that the increase in asylum claims from international students should be considered within the context of global instability, violence, and a growing number of displaced people. They write that refugee fraud is rare and warn against alarmist rhetoric that may overlook this broader context. “It is misleading to imply that it is ‘alarming’ and ‘unacceptable’ for someone to make a refugee claim simply because they are an international student,” write the authors. “Seeking asylum is a right they have under both international and Canadian law.”

Dalhousie University recently announced the construction of a new state-of-the-art physical sciences facility on its Studley Campus. The Physical Sciences Facility for Green Energy Innovation will include wet labs for researchers that are working in the areas of advanced energy storage, clean energy, and sustainable materials and flexible research spaces for collaboration and equipment sharing. “The new facility will be a hub for the kinds of chemical and materials research that enables advances in climate technology, allowing us to attract graduate students and accelerate solutions for a sustainable future,” said Dal Faculty of Science Dean Dr Charles Macdonald.

Carleton University students are working with researchers at CHEO to build an AI simulator for pediatric surgery training. Surgical trainees will be able to use the simulator to hone their skills for highly technical laparoscope procedures by allowing them to perform these procedures under the guidance of a computer monitor that mimics a patient’s body. Each gesture the trainee makes is recorded, analyzed, and assessed using AI. “It’s like the flight simulation in the aviation industry,” said CHEO Pediatric Surgeon and Researcher Dr Ahmad Nasr. “I think this project is very promising and it’s paving the way towards better training, and hence, this will translate into less complications and problems in the surgery.”

Aurora College has received $602K from Suncor Energy Foundation to strengthen Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education across the Northwest Territories. This funding will support the Aurora Research Institute’s STEM Outreach Team over the next four years to bring STEM programming to youth in small communities and promote the importance of STEM education. “The substantial support from the Suncor Energy Foundation […] empowers our teams to further excel in providing exceptional education and mentorship,” said Aurora Research Institute VP of Research Joel McAlister. “By engaging young students in the North with hands-on learning experiences and reinforcing cultural values, we are shaping a brighter future throughout the Northwest Territories.”