October 1, 2026

The Alberta University of the Arts is celebrating its centennial anniversary today. The Centennial Celebration features several events including the AUArts Tech Show, a scavenger hunt led by the AUArts Students’ Association, and hands-on creative activities in metal stamping, fibre arts, and hot-glass. “For 100 years, AUArts has been shaped by the creativity, passion and generosity of our community,” explained AUArts President Dr Janis Goldie. “Together, we’ll celebrate where we’ve been and imagine what’s possible in the next 100 years.”

The University of British Columbia has opened a new team-based teaching clinic in its MacIsaac Health Building that will provide care to up to 4,450 patients who do not currently have a primary care provider. The clinic, which is named for the MacIsaac family, will give students from nine different health disciplines the opportunity to work alongside and learn from licensed health professionals. “Many patients live with complex conditions that extend far beyond any single discipline’s scope,” explained UBC clinic Program Director Dr Julie Tipping. “When students deliver care as a team in a real clinical setting, they quickly learn where their own scope ends, where a colleague’s begins, and how much better care can be when those perspectives are combined.”

As part of a broader effort on the front of quantum computing, the Royal Bank of Canada has signed multi-year partnerships with the University of Toronto and University of Waterloo. The partnership with U of T is expected to help advance quantum growth at the bank, support talent development, and result in PhD fellowships and conference sponsorships. With UWaterloo’s Institute for Quantum Computing, RBC will establish a quantum talent initiative aimed at developing skills in quantum information science and quantum technologies. “We see this as an opportunity to help build Canada’s leadership in this emerging field and to develop and grow a quantum talent pipeline for RBC and the country,” said RBC Group Head of Technology & Operations Naim Kazmi.

Assiniboine College, Georgian College, and Loyalist College have each announced new programs this week. Assiniboine will offer its Early Childhood Education program at its Neepawa learning centre starting this January. The program is provincially accredited, and students may qualify for the Government of Manitoba’s tuition reimbursement. Georgian is adding five new career-focused programs to its offerings in 2027–2028. These programs include an advanced diploma in Medical Radiation Technology; diplomas in AI, cybersecurity, and game art; and a graduate certificate in fundraising management. Loyalist will be expanding its health-care and cybersecurity offerings through critical care nursing and cyber security graduate certificates. Loyalist will also add online delivery to some of its business diploma programs.

The University of Prince Edward Island established the Dr Etienne Côté Endowed Chair in Veterinary Cardiology at the Atlantic Veterinary College. Supported by a $3M donation, the chair is tasked with supporting clinical training, student learning, innovation, and compassionate care for animals and their families. “At the heart of this chair is the vision to continue raising the standard of cardiological care for the animals and families who depend on us,” concluded inaugural chair Dr Etienne Côté.

Laurentian University’s senate has approved a motion to accept the DELF B2 French language diploma for admission to its French-language programs. The university notes that the change from C1 to B2 puts the university in line with other French-language offerings in Ontario and will allow more French immersion students to apply directly to the university’s French-language programs. “By formally recognizing the DELF B2 for admission, we are removing a major barrier to access,” explained Laurentian Associate VP, Francophone Affairs Natalie Poulin-Lehoux. “We are sending a clear and strong message to these bilingual youth that they are fully qualified, welcomed, and supported to succeed in their postsecondary studies in French at Laurentian University.”

Great Plains College has opened its first student residence. The opening was celebrated with formal remarks and a ribbon cutting ceremony. The 12-bedroom dorm is equipped with laundry facilities, kitchen areas, outdoor areas, and furnished bedrooms. Students have flexible lease options, such as half-term and full-term leases. “By offering a dedicated residence, we hope to eliminate one more barrier to accessing post-secondary education and provide students with a welcoming and supportive place to begin their studies,” said Great Plains Interim President Kaleah Ostrander.

McMaster University and Memorial University are each offering new pathways for students. McMaster has partnered with Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan’s SP Jain Institute of Management & Research (SPJIMR) in India to offer eligible SPJIMR Global Management Programme students a path into McMaster’s Master of Finance or Master of Management in AI and Analytics programs. At Memorial, students who complete eligible technician diploma programs are now able to continue their education to gain a Bachelor of Technology at the university’s Marine Institute. Memorial School of Ocean Technology Assistant Head Georgina White said the pathway will meet workforce needs and advance graduates’ careers.

Cégep de Thetford has announced the launch of Accès Emploi, a student employment support service that will help its campus community find opportunities in the professional world. Students can take advantage of free services such as help with writing a CV or resume, preparing for an interview, or finding an internship opportunity. The service will be offered in collaboration with Carrefour Jeunesse-emploi de Frontenac and the Carrefour Emploi de Lotbinière. Cégep Accès Emploi lead Pascale Fleury explained that the goal of the services is to bridge the gap between a college education and the professional world by giving students the resources and confidence they need.

Several postsecondary institutions and unions have recently shared updates on their labour negotiations. The Université du Québec à Montréal and CUPE Local 1294—representing student employees at the student centre—signed a new collective agreement that covers the period of June 1, 2025 to May 31, 2030. At Western University, the University of Western Ontario Faculty Association has voted in favour of a strike mandate as contract negotiations continue. At Wilfrid Laurier University, the Wilfrid Laurier University Staff Association/Ontario Secondary School Teachers’ Federation will be in a legal strike position on October 5, 2026 if no agreement is met. At York University, CUPE 3903—representing teaching assistants and contract faculty—are continuing to negotiate and are seeking, among other demands, a commitment to not using AI tools to reduce or replace the work of human staff.