September 11, 2024

A recent analysis by Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) economists Rachel Battaglia and Abbey Xu indicates that the financial return on investment (ROI) of pursuing a postsecondary education has diminished in recent years, as median employment income growth has fallen behind the growth of tuition fees. RBC states that graduates in fields such as architecture, engineering, and related sciences have seen the greatest erosion in the ROI of their tuition, though engineering still holds one of the highest median incomes for undergraduate degree holders. Battaglia and Xu note that provincial tuition caps could improve the ROI of higher education in the future for domestic students, while international students—who are exempt from these caps—may continue to face more challenging circumstances.

The Government of Canada and Government of Ontario are investing an additional $3.5M into the Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative to boost innovation in the agri-food sector. This round of funding will support over 100 research and innovation projects across Ontario that are focused on the development and adoption of new technologies for farmers, food processors, and agri-businesses. Some of the projects supported by this funding are led by researchers from Algoma University, Brock University, Carleton University, Lambton College, McMaster University, University of Guelph, University of Ottawa, University of Toronto, University of Waterloo, University of Windsor, Western University, and Wilfrid Laurier University.

Several Canadian universities have appeared among the leaders of the National Taiwan University’s 2024 NTU World University Rankings. The NTU World University Rankings evaluates over 1,500 institutions, calculating a score out of 100 for each institution based on factors related to research productivity, research impact, and research excellence. Among the 26 Canadian universities listed, three placed in the top 100: The University of Toronto (#4) received a score of 60.5; the University of British Columbia (#37) received a score of 46.9; and McGill University (#57) received a score of 44.3. The top three universities overall were Harvard University (#1, 97.6), Stanford University (#2, 61.5), and the University of London (#3, 61.4).

In a recent article for the Toronto Star, Janet Hurley explores the changing landscape of textbook sales in Canada, in which students are forgoing traditional print textbooks. The author points out that digital copies—which are 40-60% cheaper than print versions—now make up over 60% of total sales, while overall, textbook prices have reportedly surged well beyond inflation rates. Moreover, e-textbooks are often accompanied by additional resources and supports for students, such as the ability to listen to material in multiple languages. Hurley concludes by describing how some educators are turning to free open educational resources (OERs) to make course materials more accessible to students.

The University of British Columbia has opened a new state-of-the-art training facility for health profession students in Surrey. The new facility includes teaching and research laboratories, seminar rooms, and student common areas. “We’re thrilled to have UBC’s physical therapy, occupational therapy and midwifery students in the Fraser region together under one roof for the first time,” said UBC Faculty of Medicine Vice-Dean of Education Dr Roger Wong. “By creating more opportunities for students to learn closer to home in a collaborative environment, we’re building a future health-care workforce that will improve community access and care for people living in the Fraser for years to come.” The Government of British Columbia provided $24.9M in capital costs for the project.

The Université du Québec à Montréal and Cégep de Jonquière have partnered to create a new pathway program that will facilitate the transition from a diplome d’etudes collegiales (DEC) to a baccalaureate (BAC) degree in journalism. The DEC-BAC pathway focuses on creating a smooth transition from cégep to university and improving access to the university’s immersion summer school in an Indigenous community. Students will receive recognition for up to five courses toward their baccalaureate, and their admission fees and prior learning recognition costs will be waived.

Two recent articles in University World News highlight the recent shifts in the global international student market. Hans de Wit (Boston College) writes that the Global North is regaining stability after a period of chaos caused by anti-immigration rhetoric, student cap policies, and rising tuition fees. De Wit notes that this period has harmed several countries’ reputations while, at the same time, leading student-sending countries in Asia and Africa have become more attractive to their own students and welcomed more international students. Gwilym Croucher (University of Melbourne) and Christopher Ziguras (UMelborne) compare how Australia, Canada, and the UK have responded to surging international student numbers through new policies and enrolment caps. They conclude by asserting that Australia is taking the most extreme approach of the three countries in managing international enrolments.

University of New Brunswick’s J Herbert Smith Centre and Harvard University’s Harvard HealthLab Accelerators have partnered to launch H2A Canada, an initiative focused on nurturing the next generation of social entrepreneurs. The H2A Canada initiative offers students a suite of resources and supports—including mentorship, networking opportunities, and co-curricular education—that will help them develop their skills and build ventures that will foster a healthier, more sustainable world. “H2A Canada will provide our students with exceptional opportunities to develop their ventures while contributing to a healthier, more sustainable future,” said UNB J Herbert Smith Centre Chair Dhirendra Shukla.

Collège Lionel-Groulx has announced a new management structure that is intended to align the college’s mission with the evolving needs of society. The cégep has reduced the number of directors and sub-departments, opting for a cross-functional management approach to foster more interdisciplinary and collaborative problem-solving. Lionel-Groulx directeur général Philippe Nasr stated that the changes are intended to have a positive impact on staff retention and mobility, as well as the student experience.

The University of Saskatchewan has introduced a variety of new safety measures after Saskatoon Police Service arrested a 35-year-old man in relation to a voyeurism investigation and charged him on 49 counts. CKOM reports that USask has been working with the police since it became aware of the incidents on campus in early August. The university has also introduced a variety of safety measures such as window frosting on ground floor windows, additional safety patrols, and additional video surveillance around residences. CKOM reports that the individual has a history of charges related to incidents at homes and off-campus residences near USask’s campus.