September 26, 2024

Global News reports that nearly 13,000 international students applied for asylum in Canada between January and August of this year. Government of Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Marc Miller both emphasized the importance of addressing the misuse of the international student program and asylum system as a shortcut to gain Canadian permanent residency or citizenship. An IRCC spokesperson noted that there are legitimate circumstances under which international students may “make an asylum claim because of developments in their country of origin” after arriving in Canada.

The University of Lethbridge has implemented two policy updates to make postsecondary education more financially accessible for Indigenous students. ULethbridge has waived application fees for self-declared Canadian Indigenous students; additionally, members of Aamskapi Pikuni, the Blackfeet Nation in Montana, will now be eligible for domestic tuition rates. “Our goal is to remove barriers for Indigenous students so they can access this incredible world of education,” said ULethbridge Vice-Provost, Iniskim Indigenous Relations Iikaisskini (Low Horn) Dr Leroy Little Bear. “There is no contrived international US-Canada border on the ancestral lands of the Sisksikaitsitapi, we are all part of the Blackfoot Confederacy and now our university recognizes this through this change that opens the door to Blackfeet students who may live in Montana.”

The leaders of two of Prince Edward Island’s public postsecondary institutions each sat down with CBC to discuss the impact of the federal international student cap on Canada’s reputation and their institutions’ circumstances. University of Prince Edward Island President Wendy Rodgers and Holland College President Sandy MacDonald explained that these program changes have harmed Canada’s reputation as a study destination. Rodgers mentioned that some Canadian universities are experiencing a decline in demand, resulting in applications below the limits set by the student caps. Both leaders spoke about how their institutions are reviewing their budgets, programming, and revenue sources in light of these changes. While neither indicated that cuts would be made at this time, they emphasized the increased importance of the budget review process for ensuring the sustainability of their institution in the future.

Statistics Canada researchers Marc Frenette and Tomasz Handler have published the latest article in their series on the jobs held by postsecondary graduates, this time focused on doctoral degree program graduates. Many doctoral programs are designed to train graduates for the professoriate, and Frenette and Handler noted that this was reflected in the fact that—in most fields—the most prevalent or second most prevalent job held by graduates was “university professor or lecturer.” Aside from this, graduates frequently held other roles in the education sector or in field-specific jobs, such as graduates of an engineering program becoming an engineer. The researchers note that the findings of this study may help students who are interested in pursuing a doctoral degree to understand the jobs in and outside of academia that they could expect to hold.

Dalhousie University has implemented a hiring freeze in response to a forecasted $18M budget shortfall. The freeze impacts regular and ongoing positions, as well as term, temporary, and casual faculty and staff roles. Exemptions include grant-paid and postdoctoral fellow positions, Canada Research Chairs, and select other positions. Dal attributed the shortfall to international enrolment, which is predicted to be 20% lower than budgeted. Dal President Kim Brooks attributed the budget in part to the decline in international student enrolment over several years, which she said will need to be reversed. CBC reports that inflation presents an additional challenge, especially as operating funding from the provincial government has generally been below the rate of inflation.

Georgian College and Lakehead University have announced a new direction for their partnership that will expand postsecondary education opportunities for students in Central and Northern Ontario. Beginning in 2025, graduates from Georgian’s diploma programs will have access to 30+ academic transfer pathways, guaranteeing them admission to select Lakehead undergraduate programs in Orilla and Thunder Bay. This will ensure that graduates can seamlessly transition between Georgian and Lakehead. The partners will gradually phase out the delivery of four combined degree-diploma programs. “Although we are changing the way that we deliver education, future students still have access to the same degree and diploma programming,” said Georgian President Kevin Weaver.

British Columbia Institute of Technology and Cansel recently unveiled the Cansel Computer Lab at SW3. The Cansel Computer Lab was named in recognition of Cansel’s gift of Trimble Business Centre software, which is valued at $1.4M. At the unveiling, Cansel also made a surprise announcement that it would be extending its gift by providing access to the software for an additional five years; the organization will also continue to support two awards for Geomatics students during this time period. “[The extended donation] increases access to transformational applied learning which will go to serve not only the needs of our students, but that of the province,” said BCIT President Dr Jeff Zabudsky.

Staff and students at Mount Royal University recently held a rally to protest Government of Alberta interference with collective bargaining and salaries, reports Global News. “The government has initiated some mandates in terms of what types of wage increases we’re looking at,” said Mount Royal Staff Association (MRSA) President Michelle LoGullo, adding that the current wage increases being offered to the faculty association are “paltry or insulting.” MRSA also argued that postsecondary institutions should be exempted from AB’s Bill 18. They asserted that it gives the government the power to “jeopardiz[e] academic freedom and impos[e] provincial priorities in what should be a neutral, objective, research-driven environment.”

Cégep de Thetford is among the beneficiaries of the Government of Québec’s recent investment into infrastructure projects in the Chaudière-Appalaches region. Thetford received $1M to support the construction of an athletic centre that will support a variety of athletic activities and sports, such as soccer, gymnastics, golf, baseball, and hockey. Porteil Constructo reports that the sports complex will also support various sports organizations from the region. The construction project has reportedly faced some challenges, such as the presence of naturally-occurring asbestos in the region, but the facility is expected to open in September 2025.

As international enrolment decreases, some postsecondary institutions are focused on growing their domestic enrolment. Université de Moncton has reportedly recorded its highest enrolment in over 30 years this fall thanks to domestic student increases. UMoncton President Denis Prud’Homme attributed this increase to high school recruitment efforts and the quality of instruction. The Windsor Star states that St Clair College has boosted its domestic student numbers by increasing enrolment in popular programs such as practical nursing, personal support worker, and early childhood education. The University of Lethbridge and Lethbridge Polytechnic have seen their domestic enrolment rise enough to result in an overall increase in enrolment. Lethbridge Polytech Registrar Marko Hilgersom noted that the nursing and health care aide programs have had particularly strong growth.