September 17, 2026

Réseau du sport étudiant du Québec has announced the return of a Québec Division 1 men’s university hockey league in 2027–28. RSEQ will establish this league in collaboration with six participating universities: Concordia University, École de technologie supérieure, McGill University, Université de Sherbrooke, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, and Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières. It will be built on experience from the programs offered at Concordia, McGill, and UQTR, which currently compete in Ontario University Athletics. “By working together to build this league, our institutions offer their athletes the chance to aim high – both on the ice and in their studies – without leaving Québec,” said UQTR President Christian Blanchette.

Okanagan College and FireSwarm Solutions recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will focus on aerospace and drone innovation. The partnership will include the development and launch of new programs that would train aircraft maintenance engineers in drone-specific technologies and structures. Training will take place at a new training hangar that is currently under construction at the Kelowna airport. “Our partnership with FireSwarm will help ensure aircraft maintenance engineers and other aerospace professionals are equipped for an industry increasingly shaped by uncrewed systems, AI and advanced manufacturing,” said Okanagan President Dr Neil Fassina.

In a welcome message to MacEwan University students, MacEwan President Dr Annette Trimbee discusses the difference between “being smart” and knowing. Trimbee prefaces the discussion by explaining that with AI tools becoming increasingly popular, accessing knowledge has never been easier. Being “smart,” Trimbee argues, requires skills like critical thinking, reasoning, discernment, and curiosity, all of which can help students competently use and take full advantage of AI tools. Teaching these skills “help[s] our undergraduates recognize and use AI models as partners in their thinking, not replacements for it,” concluded Trimbee. “Because no matter how you choose to define the word, being ‘smart’ involves thinking.”

Ontario Tech University has launched a new campaign called Tech with a Conscience that focuses on the university’s commitment to human-centred technology, responsible innovation, and real-world impact. Campaign materials are being displayed at physical locations across the GTA and via digital channels, with the goal of introducing more people to the talent, ideas, and innovations emerging from Ontario Tech’s classrooms, labs, and partnerships. “Technology is transforming our economy, workforce and society. At Ontario Tech, we don’t just ask what technology can do; we ask what it should do,” said Ontario Tech President Dr Steven Murphy.

ShanghaiRanking recently released the 2026 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects. The ranking evaluates 2,000 universities from around the globe across 57 subject areas. Several Canadian postsecondary institutions ranked highly in several subject areas. Institutions that appeared in the top 10 for at least one subject area included the University of Toronto (highest ranking #3 in Artificial Intelligence), University of British Columbia (#5 Ecology), University of Alberta (#8 Artificial Intelligence), University of Montreal (#9 Artificial Intelligence), and the University of Saskatchewan (#9 Water Resources).

The University of Lethbridge has announced that it will be launching a Bachelor of Engineering program starting in Fall 2027. The Bachelor of Engineering (Integrated Engineering) program will provide students with knowledge of core principles from a variety of fields of engineering, including agri-food, chemical, and software engineering. In addition to the inclusion of work-integrated learning and co-operative education, the program will provide students in their third semester with experience in a polytechnic environment through a collaborative agreement with Lethbridge Polytechnic. ULethbridge President Dr Digvir Jayas explained that the program was created to meet a “dire need” for engineers in rural areas and small urban centres.

Kenjgewin Teg has announced that it has achieved institutional grant eligibility from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, allowing the institution to administer CIHR grants and awards. Kenjgewin Teg President Dr Beverley Roy explained that the status “will allow us to bring forth and expand our conversations about holistic health and wellness for learners and their communities, wellness models, and Mino Bmaadziwin – all from our Anishinaabe worldview lens.” CIHR is the second federal funding agency to give grant eligibility to the institution, preceded by SSHRC in 2023.

An access to information request to the University of Saskatchewan has been upheld by the Government of Saskatchewan’s Office of the Saskatchewan Information Privacy Commissioner (OIPC). The situation centers around a request made to the university for its purchasing records, which the applicant said would then be used for their own commercial purposes. USask initially applied to disregard the request, taking issue with the applicant’s intent to use the data commercially. OIPC Commissioner Grace Hession David rejected this argument, as “even commercial purposes serve as a lawful reason for an access request.” As a result, a 30-day clock for USask to process the request resumes as of the decision date.

The Institut national de la recherche scientifique has extended its membership in the Pasteur Network. The membership was previously held by only INRS’s Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie Research Centre, but it has been extended to the broader institute and its five research centres. With this extension, the INRS community will have access to the Pasteur Network’s collaborations, platforms, and programs.

The 2026 RBC Small Business Poll has found that Gen Z Canadians have the highest interest in business ownership of any generation. The survey of over 3,000 Canadian adults found that Canadians in Gen Z were the most likely to have thought about owning a business. Among Gen Z business owners, 83% felt that entrepreneurs need to learn and adapt to technology more than previous generations and 63% felt pressure to adopt AI to remain competitive. “Technology is giving entrepreneurs more ways to turn an idea into a business, but […] entrepreneurs also need sound financial fundamentals, trusted advice, and a strong network of support,” said RBC VP Small Business and Partnerships Amy Childs.