September 29, 2025

Western University has launched the All in Campaign, a $1B fundraising and alumni engagement campaign. The campaign’s goal is to raise more than r1B by engaging 185,000 alumni through 1.5 million interactions. The funds will be invested into initiatives related to navigating new realities, future-proofing the planet, optimizing health for all, turning curiosity into solutions, and preparing future leaders and global citizens. Three Western alumni—Perry Dellelce, Kelly Mighen, and David Simmonds—have joined forces to co-chair the campaign. “We have a chance to lead the kind of transformation the world needs while helping prepare global citizens who will champion real change,” said Western President Alan Shepard. “The time is now. The opportunity is in front of us – let’s make it happen, together.” The fundraiser has already raised over $500M.

The Government of Alberta has issued a new mandate letter to Advanced Education Minister Myles McDougall. McDougall has been tasked with working with other ministries on a variety of initiatives, such as with the AB Ministry of Education and Childcare to develop a more expedient pathway to teaching in the AB K-12 system, as well as with the AB Ministry of Justice to assess the need for legislation that protects academic freedom and freedom of expression at postsecondary institutions. He has also been directed to review the findings of the Expert Panel on Post-Secondary Institution Funding and Alberta’s Competitiveness, champion the skilled trades and professions, and implement the Professional Governance Act.

Georgian College has announced that it will be consolidating its Muskoka and Orillia campuses into Barrie by Fall 2026. The college said that the move is expected to save $23.5M over five years, with the sale of the two campuses placing the college on a “stronger path toward financial sustainability.” “This is a difficult decision that we know will be felt deeply by our students, employees and communities,” said Georgian President Kevin Weaver. Student graduation timelines and program completion dates will reportedly not be affected. Orillia Mayor Don McIsaac told Midland Today that he is “deeply saddened by the decision to close the Orillia campus,” which has been a part of the city since a temporary campus was opened in 1969.

Simon Fraser University has received a donation of rare artifacts—rings and medallions that were discovered in a Chilliwack thrift store—that it will use for research and student learning. The age of the items is unknown but could date back to medieval or Roman times. CBC says that the university does not typically accept items without proper documentation, but ultimately decided to accept the artifacts to remove them from private circulation. SFU Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology Director Barbara Hilden said that students will research the artifacts to determine their age, providing a valuable learning experience regardless of their age or authenticity.

The College Employer Council and OPSEU—representing 10,000 Ontario college staff—returned to the bargaining table with a mediator on Friday. Orangeville Today reports that ON appointed the mediator to support negotiations between the two parties. At the time of writing, the mediator had instated a media blackout for both parties with respect to “public communication regarding negotiations as long as the parties are at the table and as long as and until bargaining breaks off.”

The University of New Brunswick REDS and the Fredericton Chamber of Commerce have signed a multi-year partnership that will see the chamber supporting the UNB REDS in a variety of ways. The chamber will be actively involved as supporters during UNB REDS regular season events and will create new opportunities for the business community to connect with student athletes. “These young leaders embody the values of discipline, teamwork, and resilience—qualities that are essential in every sector,” said Fredericton Chamber of Commerce CEO Morgan Peters. “This partnership also reflects our belief in the strategic importance of university education, research, and the Knowledge Industry as the foundation of Fredericton’s economic future.”

The University of Waterloo, the Centre of Excellence in Next Generation Networks (CENGN), and Rogers Communication have partnered to create the Connected Robotics Living Lab at the university’s Waterloo RoboHub. CENGN’s Living Labs initiative is designed to provide real-world testing environments so that Canadian start-ups and scale-ups in key sectors can test and prepare their products for commercialization. The lab provides users with indoor and outdoor testing areas for their robotics products. “This initiative strengthens Canada’s position as a global leader in the critical digital and applied AI technology that is transforming how we leverage connected robotics across industry, supporting the country’s economic resilience and long-term growth,” said CENGN President Boris Mimeur.

In a recent article for University Affairs, Loleen Berdahl (University of Saskatchewan and University of Regina) discusses the value of reading texts even when “shortcuts” are available. Berdahl writes that, for some students, skipping readings can indicate that students have not developed the stamina to read university-level materials. However, the decision to skip a reading also deprives them of the opportunity to develop their skills. Berdahl gives three ways that instructors can motivate students to read: being explicit about the role reading plays in their course, setting high expectations and providing support so students can meet them, and assigning realistic reading assignments.

The University of Calgary and Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) of Calgary and Area have partnered to help young Calgarians. This agreement will give BBBS access to a new pool of mentors who are part of the UCalgary community, offering them volunteer and community experience through BBBS Calgary. UCalgary will also provide youth with the opportunity to experience postsecondary education—accessing art performances and Dino sporting events at the university—through the BBBS Big Deal Card program. In the future, UCalgary says that the collaboration will result in research that benefits youth.

Toronto Metropolitan University students and faculty members reportedly held a walkout last week to protest campus security’s treatment of a student protester. Toronto police told City News that a student was arrested by security staff after refusing to leave the Dais Democracy Forum. The video of the arrest has been condemned by several parties, including the TMU student union, which called security’s actions “an egregious use of force.” “The video is unsettling and difficult to watch, and it understandably has raised questions and concerns from our community,” said TMU VP of Administration & Operations Saeed Zolfaghari, who added that the incident is under review. During the walkout, the Toronto Today reports that a protester was also arrested and charged with criminal harassment.