September 19, 2024

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has announced that the number of international student permits issued will be reduced again in 2025. The number of study permits issued will be reduced from 485,000 in 2024 to 437,000 in 2025, with that number being held steady in 2026. The goal of this cap is reportedly to reduce the number of temporary residents in Canada to 5%. “The reality is that not everyone who wants to come to Canada will be able to—just like not everyone who wants to stay in Canada will be able to,” said Immigration Minister Marc Miller. There will also be further restrictions to the open work permits for international student spouses and changes to the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program this fall.

Fanshawe College and its Board of Governors are reportedly facing a $10M proposed class action lawsuit that was filed by current and past paralegal students. The claim seeks damages on behalf of domestic and international students and graduates who were enrolled in Fanshawe’s Paralegal Program since 2020. It alleges that there was widespread negligence, extensive negligent misrepresentation, and breaches of Ontario’s Consumer Protection Act. The lawsuit also claims that the college repeatedly failed to meet Law Society Ontario requirements, which left students unprepared for their licensing examinations and legal practice. None of the allegations have been proven in court; Fanshawe reportedly refused to comment while the matter is in front of the court.

Saint Mary’s University has created a new initiative called Star Finder – the David Lane Astronomy Outreach Program, which gives teachers across Nova Scotia the tools to deliver an astronomy-focused curriculum to students in Grades 6 and 9. The program aims to inspire enthusiasm and understanding of astronomy, particularly by creating opportunities for students in rural and underserved communities. “The Star Finder program will give young people in rural and underserved areas access to the type of scientific discovery associated with big cities and major universities,” said SMU Burke-Gaffney Observatory Director Dr Vincent Hénault-Brune. “The program enables students and teachers to have hands-on participation in cosmic discovery.” This initiative is supported by a $250K gift from David and Michelle Lane.

The Chinese embassy in Canada has reportedly lodged protests over a trip that University of Ottawa Professor Roland Paris and Information Integrity Lab Director Jennifer Irish made to Taiwan in August for a conference. According to the Globe and Mail, the embassy filed demarches with both the Government of Canada and the university regarding the visit. Paris stated that it was “important to call out these actions as a form of intimidation” and expressed his concern about the fact that this activity could discourage other researchers from attending. Paris noted that he did not change his plans after being contacted by the embassy about the trip, citing his job security as a tenured professor and asserting that UOttawa “completely has my back.” The Globe notes that there are no rules or agreements preventing Canadian citizens from visiting Taiwan at this time.

The University of Manitoba’s Rady Faculty of Health Sciences’ College of Rehabilitation Sciences and Riverview Health Centre have announced a new research chair focused on rehabilitation and telerehabilitation technology. The Research Chair in Telerehabilitation will be held by UManitoba professor Dr Ruth Barclay. In this role, Barclay will lead the development of a rehabilitation research program that focuses on new technologies that improve access to rehabilitation care for those who might otherwise struggle to receive it. “Telerehabilitation and the use of new technology improves access to care in rural and remote communities, but we need the research and evidence to support that,” said Riverview CEO Kathleen Klaasen.

Humanities PhDs should consider careers in advising, given that their skillsets often align with this role, writes Yoonha Shin (Princeton University). Shin writes that career advising especially complements the strengths developed by humanities PhDs, enabling them to provide thoughtful feedback on applications, motivate students in their career journeys, and collect information to help students clarify their thoughts. Additionally, humanities PhDs can use their metacognition skills to understand that their own perceptions are subjective and to continually improve their advising practices.

Wilfrid Laurier University has updated its Bachelor of Music program to offer greater flexibility and inclusivity and equip learners for career success. The revamped program includes lessons in both classical and contemporary genres, with opportunities for cross-training, mentorship, and collaboration. It will also introduce a “Navigating the Music Industry Ecosystem” certificate, equipping learners with essential business knowledge for industry success. “This updated curriculum is about more than just music; it’s about empowering students to shape their musical identity, explore new opportunities, and thrive in a global, interconnected world,” said WLU Faculty of Music Dean Cynthia Johnston Turner. The updated program will begin in Fall 2025.

Capilano University recently unveiled its 2024-25 recruitment campaign, “A space to be you.” The campaign features short, unscripted video interviews that showcase the unique experiences of CapilanoU students, as well as how the university environment supports growth, self-expression, and fulfillment. The digital strategy reaches students via Meta, Google, YouTube, Programmatic, Spotify, Reddit, TikTok and uses a dedicated online landing page to provide a gateway to the university and the resources it offers. The campaign also appears in public locations including on public transportation, billboards, and in high schools. “It was important for us to express the authentic experiences of our exceptional learners through their lens and in their own words,” said CapilanoU Director of Marketing & Digital Experience Alisha Moolla.

Fleming College is expanding its Personal Support Worker (PSW) program to its Frost Campus this winter. The college will use a mobile laboratory to train individuals for work as PSWs. Students will also complete placements in the community. “This mobile laboratory allows us to conveniently bring health care training into the heart of Lindsay and the surrounding regions,” said Fleming President Maureen Adamson. “These students will offer health care support to the local community during their placements and upon graduation.”

In an article for The evoLLLution, Anat Eshed (Southern New Hampshire University) argues that institutional strategies often fail because they are not aligned with an institution’s values or culture(s). Eshed emphasizes that integrating culture into strategic planning is a crucial task for leadership. To weave culture into strategic planning, the author recommends that leaders reflect on their institution’s microcultures; engage in scenario planning; and involve students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the community in the process. Eshed also suggests conducting value-based innovation labs, dynamic values frameworks, and institutional audits as ways that leadership can demonstrate commitment to cultural alignment. “Remember, in the battle between culture and strategy, culture usually wins,” concludes Eshed. “So why not make them allies?”