October 6, 2026

The University of Toronto has announced that it is launching a new scholarship program aimed at attracting the world’s top PhD candidates, thanks to an anonymous $50M donation. The Presidents’ Impact Scholarship Program will provide $80K per year for four years to 12 or more PhD scholars, with each year’s cohort focused on a particular societal challenge. U of T President Melanie A Woodin called the program a “major innovation” in PhD education that will “galvanize a new generation of thought leaders.” As a part of the program, scholars will also participate in an external engagement experience, which will provide scholars with real-world problem-solving abilities. The first cohort of scholars will begin in Fall 2027.

Cégep Drummond’s business services department has officially chosen the name Formation aux entreprises du Cégep Drummond. This new identity coincides with the department’s 10-year anniversary and reaffirms the department’s affiliation with the cégep. The cégep explained that it emphasizes the quality of the department’s training programs, returns its core focus to corporate training, and better reflects the team’s mission and expertise. The Formation aux entreprises du Cégep Drummond will continue the department’s mission to support organizational skills development.

Fanshawe College and Georgian College have signed partnerships to train Canada’s military. As a part of their partnership with the Royal Canadian Air Force, Fanshawe will deliver Transport Canada-approved training at the Canadian Forces School of Aerospace Technology and Engineering (CFSATE) at CFB Borden. CFSATE candidates will earn a relevant Fanshawe credential while continuing to meet military training requirements. The partnership is supported by a $34.4M four-year contract. Meanwhile, Georgian will soon receive soldiers from CFB Borden’s Royal Canadian Electrical and Mechanical Engineering School at its Barrie campus as a part of a 140-day technical training program. The program is designed for Electronic-Optronic Technicians, combining several fields including mechanical engineering, electronics, and robotics.

A sign at an off-campus property in Antigonish during homecoming has been condemned by Acadia University and St Francis Xavier University as degrading to women. The sign was reportedly removed on Saturday after intervention from StFX, but was hung back up later that night. “We all have a responsibility to challenge behaviour that diminishes others, normalizes sexualized violence, or undermines the safety and belonging of members of our community,” said StFX President Dr Andy Hakin. Acadia President Jeff Hennessy thanked StFX for its strong statement against the sign. “What happened in Antigonish is a symptom of a society-wide problem,” said Hennessy. “It is our collective responsibility as higher education institutions to speak out against violence against women, and rape culture specifically.”

Trent University will be building two new student residences and new academic and student spaces. The two new student residences—Gidigaa Migizi College and Otonabee College—will be located on the Symons Campus and will add 1,400 beds to Trent’s living environment. The new development will also include amenities such as lecture halls and student support spaces. The residences will be funded by a $100M investment through the Building Ontario Fund, which will be repaid after the residences begin generating income.

Memorial University has launched the Refer a Student program through a partnership between the Office of Development and Alumni Engagement, Office of the Registrar, and the Memorial University Bookstore. This initiative offers Memorial community members the opportunity to refer prospective students to the university using an online referral form. It aims to encourage recruitment, create meaningful connections, and encourage prospective students to see themselves as a part of Memorial’s community. Eligible referred students will be entered into a draw for a $4K non-refundable undergraduate tuition credit and $500 in course materials, while referrers will be entered in a draw for a gift card. “Successful recruitment requires us to continually rethink our approach and invest in new ideas,” said Memorial Enrolment Innovation Lead Andrew Kim.

Saint Mary’s University and a consortium of French research institutions have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will advance archaeological and historical research at Fort Sainte-Marie-de-Grâce National Historic Site. “By bringing together researchers from Saint Mary’s, France, and our local community, we can apply new technologies, expertise and perspectives to a site that still has much to tell us,” explained SMU Dean of Graduate Studies and Research Dr Adam Sarty. The partnership will also introduce opportunities for students and members of the public to engage with archaeological research, stated Sarty.

A Government of Ontario inspection of three career colleges has found “serious concerns” regarding identity verification and accuracy of academic records. The information comes from court records associated with a lawsuit brought by Academy of Learning to overturn ON’s decision to revoke the institutions’ OSAP eligibility. The report highlights instances where different student accounts were accessed by the same IP addresses, students were unable to name their institution, and where students were unable to communicate in English. The institution rejected ON’s claims, adding in a statement that they have since enacted “significant additional controls across admissions, identity verification, financial aid, and academic participation and progress.” The Winnipeg Free Press reports that the Ontario Liberal Party responded by calling on the auditor general to investigate OSAP spending at the province’s career colleges.

Lakeland College has officially opened its renovated and modernized Newcombe N Bentley Building. This building provides a learning environment that will house Lakeland’s human services and interior design technology programs. It will support hands-on learning, student connection, and career readiness with flexible classrooms, specialized labs, collaborative workspaces, and student gathering areas. The building also houses Lakeland’s on-campus child care centre, where early childhood education students can gain hands-on experience. “When we invest in our learning environments, we’re investing in much more than a building,” said Lakeland President Dr Alice Wainwright-Stewart. “We’re investing in our students, our workforce and the future of our communities.”

Canadore College has announced the name for its multi-use indoor recreation facility: the Burton Sports Dome. The dome’s new name recognizes former Canadore President George Burton’s history and contributions to the college as a former student and alumnus who also served as the college’s president for 16 years. Burton was involved with the sports dome from its early planning through to its opening. “The Sports Dome was a shared effort shaped by employees, students, community sport organizations and partners who understood what year-round recreational space could mean for our region,” said Burton. “Seeing the facility active and serving the community is the most meaningful recognition of all.”