November 20, 2025

The Government of Canada Tri-Council and France’s national research agency have announced the distribution of $3.29M in funding for research related to artificial intelligence. The funding will be distributed through NSERC, SSHRC, and CIHR (in collaboration with IVADO) to 10 collaborative research projects that will be conducted by Canadian and French university researchers. These projects will focus on generative AI and the safety and security of embedded AI. Canadian institutions receiving funding include Dalhousie University, McGill University, Université de Montréal, the University of Alberta, the University of Calgary, the University of Regina, the University of Toronto, and Western University.

The University of King’s College has unveiled designs for its new Southeast Corner Project. This 140,000 square-foot building will house the university’s School of Journalism, Writing & Publishing; a new Athletic Centre; and the Mi’kmaw and Indigenous Student Centre. It will also include residences for up to 100 students. U of King’s College President William Lahey explained that the design of the building was informed by input from faculty, students, community members, and Mi’kmaw and African Nova Scotian partners. “We are building a home for truth sharing and diverse storytelling that authentically reflects our communities, and indeed our nation,” said Lahey.

Quacquarelli Symonds has released the QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2026, and several Canadian universities have appeared among the top ranks. These rankings assess universities from around the world according to their efforts on the fronts of environmental impact, social impact, and governance. A total of 41 Canadian postsecondary institutions appeared in the rankings, and QS noted that Canada had the world’s highest concentration of universities in the top 10. The five highest-ranked Canadian universities were the University of Toronto (#2), the University of British Columbia (#5), McGill University (#9), Western University (tied for #24), and the Université de Montréal (tied for #53).

A group of 18 Québec universities have issued a statement reaffirming the climate emergency and their commitment to working together to address this challenge. The commitment was made as part of the recent United Nations Climate Change Conference. The universities emphasized the importance of generating knowledge and concrete solutions to these challenges and shared their efforts on this front. They also shared that they will be conducting research and fostering partnerships to support the efforts toward national and international climate targets.

The National Association of Career Colleges has partnered with Mujo Learning Systems to deliver two new curriculum programs in Applied AI Business Management and Applied AI for Digital Marketing. Through these programs, NACC member institutions will have access to a turnkey curriculum package containing assessments, paperwork, lesson plans, textbooks, and resources for instructors. Students that complete the 1,000-hour programs will also be able to write the associated NACC certification exam. “By working with partners like Mujo, we’re able to support career colleges with curriculum that meets the expectations of today’s learners and the demands of Canada’s modern workforce,” said NACC CEO Michael Sangster.

Red River College Polytechnic officially unveiled its new Indigenous visual identity at its convocation ceremonies. The institution’s new Indigenous visual identity, as well as the new stoles worn by Indigenous graduates at a recent convocation, were reportedly developed through extensive conversations with members of RRC Polytech’s community. “The design on these stoles is rooted in sacredness, seasonality and interconnectedness, honouring the distinct identities of First Nations, Métis and Inuit Peoples while weaving together themes of land, language and story into a living expression of who we are,” said RRC Director, Truth and Reconciliation and Community Engagement Carla Kematch.

Cégep de la Gaspésie et des Îles and Senegal’s Agence Nationale de l’Aquaculture have partnered to strengthen Senegal’s aquaculture sector. With this commitment, the partners will work within the Sénégal 2050 framework on goals such as creating jobs for youth and women and addressing decreased fishing yields. They will focus on several strategic areas, including aquaculture training, research and innovation, and professional certification. The cégep will provide technical and pedagogical expertise, develop tailored programming, and seek partnerships that will support aquaculture project implementation.

Holland College’s Atlantic Police Academy has opened a new facility for training public safety professionals called the Atlantic Tactical Training & Innovation Centre. The centre includes a variety of training spaces, including immersive scenario rooms, a virtual reality range, and augmented and virtual reality training systems. “By integrating virtual reality and immersive environments, we are equipping professionals with the skills and confidence they need to respond effectively in critical situations,” said Holland College President Dr Alexander (Sandy) MacDonald. MacDonald further explained that the centre will enhance the academy’s collaboration with external public safety partners. The expansion was funded by $4.1M from the Government of Prince Edward Island and $681K from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency.

Two transit systems have recently introduced new station names and lines that will better connect postsecondary institutions to their respective cities. In Montréal, a new line and a new station on the Réseau express métropolitain (REM) have better connected McGill University and the Université de Montréal to the rest of the city. Nouvelles d’Ici reports that the new line makes it possible to travel from Île-des-Sœurs to McGill or the new station on UMontréal’s main campus in less than 15 minutes. In Toronto, the subway station at Dundas and Yonge will now be named TMU Station, increasing Toronto Metropolitan University’s visibility in the city transit system.

The Université du Québec à Montréal has announced that its literary studies graduate programs will be redesigned for Fall 2026. UQAM Professor Catherine Cyr explained that the updates reflect changes in the scope of the field, as well as the changing expertise in the university’s faculty. As a part of the redesign, each program’s seminars will be divided into four categories relating to: theory and criticism; literature, culture, and society; literary practices; and theories and practices of creation. The master’s program’s creative writing pathway has also been revised to allow students more applied opportunities like workshops. Master’s and doctoral students will also be able to integrate both research and creative writing into their dissertations and theses.