November 4, 2024

The Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies has received 1,800 aircraft components–valued at $6.2M in total–from Bell Textron Canada Limited. The donation will enhance SIIT’s Aircraft Maintenance Engineering (AME) program, providing students with access to aircraft components for hands-on training and practical experience. “Bell Textron Canada’s donation directly supports SIIT’s AME program, giving Indigenous students practical experience with real aircraft components,” said SIIT Dean of Trades & Industrial Mark Pollard. “This donation strengthens our efforts to equip students with the skills they need to succeed in the aerospace industry and build rewarding careers.”

Several news articles detail how colleges—especially those in Ontario—are being impacted by the federal government’s changes to the international student program. Several institutions and organizations have reported a decline in international student applications and/or enrolment, including BC Colleges, Confederation College, Fanshawe College, Georgian College, and Seneca Polytechnic. Leadership also spoke to the financial impact: Confederation President Michelle Salo expects the college to lose millions in revenue, Seneca President David Agnew said Seneca has lost $35M to date in international tuition revenue, and Mohawk College President Paul Armstrong asserted that “layoffs will be necessary” in light of a projected $50M deficit for next year. “We expect all public colleges and many programs will be impacted in some way,” said Colleges Ontario CEO Marketa Evans.

The University of Calgary will expand its Well Doc Alberta physician wellness program nationally, thanks to a $5M commitment from the Canadian Medical Association, MD Financial Management, and Scotiabank. The program—led by UCalgary faculty members Dr Jane Lemaire and Alicia Polachek—offers a variety of resources and supports to ensure that health care leaders proactively promote physician wellbeing. “The vision was always to ultimately provide a pan-Canadian service,” said Dr Lemaire. “It’s so exciting to finally be at the place where that vision takes shape.

In a recent article for University Affairs, Moira MacDonald discusses the findings of a Council of Canadian Academies (CCA) report that investigated the state of equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) at Canadian universities. Among its conclusions, the report found that while universities across the country are making progress in EDI, more work must be done to weave EDI practices into university life. The report underscores the importance of ensuring EDI efforts are backed by robust data and further notes that the most effective EDI practices are interconnected and mutually reinforcing, rather than one-off isolated interventions. The report also includes chapters that highlight effective and evidence-based practices for embedding EDI into recruitment, institutional development, government funding, and the research process.

The University of Ottawa, IBM Canada, and the Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI) are partnering to advance innovation in cybersecurity for Ontario small businesses. The partners will establish the UOttawa-IBM Cyber Range, which will act as a Technology Development Site where Ontario-based small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can accelerate the development and commercialization of cyber-secure technologies. The Cyber Range will also provide access to cyber response training exercises. “The uOttawa-IBM Cyber Range is the first of its kind in Canada and the only one in the world with an academic-industry partnership,” said UOttawa Interim VP Research and Innovation Julie St Pierre. “We are providing real-world, immersive training that will help Ontario’s business community better address cybersecurity threats.”

Montréal police arrested two protesters at Concordia University last week for allegedly assaulting a campus security guard at an anti-police demonstration. According to the Montréal Gazette, a 21-year-old woman and a 24-year-old man were detained after the guard sustained minor injuries. Both protesters were released on the condition that they appear before a judge. The protest follows a statement from the Concordia Student Union, which accused the university of enabling police brutality and racial discrimination during a pro-Palestinian protest in late September. The student union and other Concordia student groups are calling for a ban on police presence on campus.

The College of the North Atlantic, Municipalities Newfoundland and Labrador (MNL), and the Professional Municipal Administrators (PMA) have renewed their partnership with a five-year Memorandum of Understanding. The partners will continue to support municipalities across the province by expanding their efforts in applied research, innovation, and training. “Through this partnership, we’ve been able to extend our reach into communities large and small, providing essential training, research opportunities, and student expertise,” said CNA Associate VP of Public Affairs and Advancement Heidi Staeben-Simmons.

The Government of Northwest Territories is adopting Pathways to Teach Canada, a pan-Canadian service that simplifies the evaluation of internationally educated teachers’ credentials and language competencies. The initiative provides a descriptive assessment of internationally educated teachers’ credentials and a report on their language skills, which makes it easier for NWT education bodies to recruit internationally educated teachers. “Recruiting qualified educators is critical to reaching our goals to improve student outcomes in the NWT,” said NWT Minister of Education, Culture, and Employment Caitlin Cleveland. “By joining this pan-Canadian initiative, internationally educated teachers who want to teach in the Northwest Territories will have a bilingual, single point of entry to assess their credentials and language competencies.”

The Government of Manitoba has introduced Bill 41, which would expand the continuing education requirements for prospective provincial court judges and judicial justices of the peace. This proposed legislation would require candidates for appointment as provincial court judges to continue their education in three areas: intimate partner violence, coercive control in intimate partner and family relationships, and the experience of Indigenous persons and 2SLGBTQIA+ persons in the justice system and in society in general. Global News reports that this legislation also outlines funding for the continuing education.

Lakehead University has become a member of Academics Without Borders (AWB). This membership provides Lakehead faculty and staff with access to partnership opportunities through AWB’s global connections and allows faculty to propose projects with postsecondary partners in low- and middle-income countries. Additionally, this membership gives Lakehead access to new resources to bolster ongoing work with international partners. “Joining the Academics Without Borders Network is one more way that we are putting our commitments to justice, equity, diversity and inclusion into action,” said Lakehead President Dr Gillian Siddall. “I encourage the Lakehead community to get involved in this enriching and important work.”