May 9, 2025

The Government of Saskatchewan has announced the official launch of Saskatchewan Open Education Resources, which provides access to academic resources from SK postsecondary institutions. The resources—developed by faculty members at Saskatchewan Polytechnic, the University of Regina, and the University of Saskatchewan—include free textbooks, manuals, and video/audio files. “Open education resources are important tools that help make postsecondary education more accessible and affordable,” said SK Advanced Education Minister Ken Cheveldayoff. “We appreciate the hard work of faculty members at Saskatchewan’s postsecondary institutions who continue to develop important resources to help students learn, succeed and save money during their studies.”

After nearly 20 years of operations in Qatar, the University of Calgary is concluding operations at its Doha campus. The University of Calgary Qatar campus offered healthcare programming that was accredited in Canada with a curriculum that reflected local culture and health-care needs. The university will host its final convocation on May 11. “UCQ’s commitment to excellence in nursing education played a vital role in advancing Qatar National Vision 2030, particularly in the development of a highly trained and competent health-care workforce,” said UCalgary Qatar Board of Trustees Chair Dr Khalid Al Thani. “We are very proud of the lasting impact that UCQ has made.”

The University of Regina’s La Cité universitaire francophone and the University of Ottawa have signed a memorandum of understanding focussed on bolstering French-language postsecondary education in Saskatchewan. The partnership will involve collaborative efforts in areas such as program development and academic pathways with the goal of advancing inclusive education. “This agreement reflects our values and our responsibility to create opportunities that respond to the legitimate and longstanding aspirations of the Fransaskois population,” said URegina President Jeff Keshen. UOttawa AVP Francophonie Yves Pelletier added that the agreement is a “clear demonstration of what we can accomplish together when we center our work on the needs and realities of Francophone learners in minority settings.”

New Brunswick College of Craft and Design and St Thomas University have announced a new pathway for students in the creative arts. Students who complete a diploma at NBCCD will be able to enter STU’s newly launched Interdisciplinary Major in Humanities, where they can earn a Bachelor of Arts in two years. STU President Dr Nauman Farooqi noted that the pathway will give students the opportunity to “broaden and deepen” their experiences, knowledge, and skills. NBCCD Director Jared Peters added that the pathway presents “an opportunity for students to apply and build on their creative and intellectual explorations, to generate new ideas, and to drive critical engagement with our changing world—without having to move cities.”

Fanshawe College is reportedly planning to reduce its workforce by 35% as it attempts to respond to a projected $72M deficit in the coming two years. CBC reports that the reduction amounts to approximately 400 jobs, approximately 170 of which will come from removing vacant positions and offering early retirement packages. The college is reportedly anticipating a decline of 30% in its total student enrolment this Fall, including a 63% reduction in its international student body. Even with these cuts, Fanshawe President Peter Devlin stated that “there will still be a funding gap, and so there is a need for provincial action.”

The Université du Québec network and the Association des collèges et universités de la francophonie canadienne (ACUFC) have signed an agreement focused on the promotion of scientific collaboration. Drawing on $150K in funding over three years, the partners will implement a new program that will support Francophone scientific collaboration between UQuébec and ACUFC faculty members. UQuébec VP à l’enseignement et à la recherche Céline Poncelin de Raucourt said that the agreement will bolster the value of the use of French in science.

The Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario has published a new report exploring why French-speaking students in Ontario may pursue English-language or bilingual education. HEQCO surveyed 216 18-to-24-year-old French-speaking students who ultimately decided to study at an English-language or bilingual institution. These students commonly referenced factors such as the program offerings and program reputation. Those who studied at a bilingual institution also referenced the opportunity to study in both languages. In the concluding notes, HEQCO intends to conduct further research to understandthe decision-making process among those students that attend French-language institutions.

The Cape Breton University Board of Governors has officially approved the university’s 2025-26 operating budget, which includes a $6.8M deficit. CBU VP of Finance and Operations Gordon MacInnis attributed this deficit to the federal government’s reduction of the number of international students in Nova Scotia. In response to this situation, CBU will be cutting costs by moving off-site operations back to its university campus; eliminating at least 56 positions; and raising student tuition and fees, including a 3% tuition increase for out of province students. “We have, and continue to make, every effort possible to minimize the employee impact caused by IRCC policy changes,” said CBU President David Dingwall. CBU will prioritize placing existing full-time staff in new positions at its medical campus, which is expected to open this summer.

Toronto Metropolitan University has begun construction on its new Student Wellbeing Centre. The centre will be an eight-storey addition to the historic O’Keefe House that will provide a centralized location for the university’s well-being services. TMU Provost and VP Academic Roberta Iannacito-Provenzano stated that the hub will ensure the university can provide “seamless and accessible support for students so we can meet them where they are.” The building’s overall carbon footprint will be reduced through mass timber construction, passive green roofs, and the adaptation of an existing building. The university broke ground on the centre earlier this week; it is expected to open in 2027.

Several postsecondary institutions are hosting local K-12 students on campus for special STEM-themed events and hands-on learning opportunities. Assiniboine College will be holding the “Spend a Day – Technology Edition” event, where students can participate in hands-on experiences in the college’s technology programs. Cambrian College hosted over 100 high school students at its annual Women in Tech event, which encourages young women to pursue careers in technology. Camosun College and the University of Victoria will be holding their Science Rendezvous event this weekend to introduce youth and their families to the world of STEM. The University of Waterloo is hosting elementary school students on a weekly basis at its RoboHub, where students can learn about topics like technology literacy.