October 23, 2024

Humber Polytechnic, Red Deer Polytechnic, Thompson Rivers University, and the University of Toronto have announced new sustainability-focused initiatives. Humber is on track to decarbonize its campus by 2029—two decades ahead of its earlier goal—through projects such as the installation of a new geothermal energy system. RDP partnered with ReThink Red Deer to recognize entrepreneurs and community organizations that have been advancing sustainable energy across Alberta. TRU has received approval from BC Hydro to embark on its TRU Solarization PV Project, which will see over 1,000 solar panels installed across campus over the next five years. The University of Toronto’s School of the Environment has announced new guidelines banning donations from fossil fuel companies. The guidelines prohibit financial support for activities, scholarships, or infrastructure projects that are tied to fossil fuel firms, while allowing individual faculty members to accept research funding.

In an article for the Toronto Star, Canadian Bureau for International Education CEO Larissa Bezo argues that federal and provincial governments must take a new approach to global talent. Bezo writes that the federal international student policy changes have had serious consequences for Canada, costing the country “its coveted position as the top destination for global talent.” She also asserts that the sector is further harmed by chronic underfunding. The author warns that Canada’s declining birth rate and aging population means that its future prosperity and growth is reliant on its ability to bring in high-quality global talent. To this end, Bezo asserts that the provinces and territories must commit to adequate funding for postsecondary education and that the federal government must change its strategy to attract the talent it needs to meet its long-term goals.

Three of the largest international student study destinations—Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States—are reportedly seeing shifts in their international student enrolment. Australia experienced a 38% reduction in the number of overall study visas granted this year compared to last year, a change that The Pie News attributes to policy changes such as fee increases, changing visa requirements, and a proposed enrolment cap. Meanwhile, study applications to the United Kingdom have reportedly dropped by 16% in the last year, a shift that is largely being attributed to the government’s newly implemented restrictions on students with dependents. In the United States, University World News has highlighted the growing refusal rate for F1 Visas. This, coupled with declining applications from China in particular, has resulted in a decline in students from two of the US’s largest source markets: China and India.

In a recent article for The Conversation, Megan MacKenzie (Simon Fraser University) and Benjamin E Goldsmith (Australian National University) discuss the findings of a recent study that found that future PhD students may face discrimination before they even begin their studies. The researchers sent emails posing as fictitious students requesting a meeting with a potential PhD supervisor at Australia’s top research universities. Emails were identical apart from the senders’ names, which had been tested to be associated with different genders and ethnicities. The researchers found that emails from white-sounding names averaged a 7% higher reply rate and a 9% higher positive response rate than non-white sounding names; there was also a slight positive bias in favour of inquiries appearing to come from female students.

The sentencing hearing for the man who pleaded guilty to four charges in a 2023 attack at the University of Waterloo is underway this week. UWaterloo professor Katy Fulfer and the two students who were injured in the attack shared their victim impact statements in the hearing earlier this week, describing how the attack has affected their work or studies and the difficulties of returning to a normal life. Fulfer also expressed her concerns that the attack could embolden others to commit acts of violence.

Vancouver Community College is launching a post-degree diploma program in cybersecurity governance, risk, and compliance in January 2025. Students in the program will learn how to identify and manage IT risks and develop incident response and disaster recovery plans. They will gain skills in areas such as privacy and security frameworks, risk communication, enterprise IT operations, evolving compliance standards, and business communication. The program includes a variety of experiential learning approaches to prepare students for a variety of career pathways.

The University of Guelph is launching an interdisciplinary Bachelor of Engineering in Mechatronics Engineering, which will feature a core focus on AI and machine learning. Students will be able to specialize in robotics, control and AI, or manufacturing and automation. The program is also available as a five-year co-op version. “The Mechatronics major will leverage Guelph’s unique engineering design spine, providing students with comprehensive and diverse training in critical fields to support society,” said UoGuelph Dean of the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences Dr Moncef Nehdi.

St Francis Xavier University recently celebrated the grand opening of the Amelia Saputo Centre for Healthy Living. The centre has undergone nearly $40M in renovations to better support the healthy living needs of StFX and the community. The updates and changes to the centre include an expanded fitness centre, updates to the gymnasiums and aquatic centre, and an additional sports performance training centre. StFX also notes that the centre is the first building on its campus to be entirely named after a woman.

York University has announced two initiatives related to mental health and well-being on campus. The university has launched a five-year Well-being Strategy (2024-2030) that builds on a previous Mental Health Strategy. The Well-being Strategy expands YorkU’s commitment to holistic well-being, documents the university’s strategic priorities, and outlines recommendations related to a food security working group and improved navigation to well-being supports and resources. YorkU has also become an official signatory of the Okanagan Charter, which commits the university to integrating well-being into daily university life.

The University of British Columbia has completed the Theory building, which is one of three buildings that will provide more housing options for staff and faculty. The Theory building offers 136 units, ranging from studios to four-bedroom apartments, at a price point that is around 25% lower than market rates. “UBC has long recognized the need for affordable homes for its students, faculty and staff because we know the Metro Vancouver housing and rental market is financially challenging,” said UBC Vancouver Provost and VP Academic Gage Averill. “That’s why, over the last decade, the university has invested heavily in building housing for our community, so UBC can continue attracting and retaining exceptional students, faculty and staff.”