September 5, 2025

The Government of Canada has invested $2.4M in the Black Entrepreneurship Alliance (BEA), a collaboration between York University’s YSpace and the Black Creek Community Health Centre. The Alliance—which launched in 2021—provides Black entrepreneurs with a place to build their companies and take advantage of upskilling and training opportunities. The investment will allow for the creation of several programs, including an 11-week process improvement training program and a 12-week program focused on international exports. The project is expected to support over 350 businesses in the Greater Toronto Area.

The John Horgan Campus in downtown Langford has officially opened. The campus will serve as a learning hub where learners can study with Camosun College, Justice Institute of British Columbia, Royal Roads University, the University of Victoria, or the Sooke School District. This brings a variety of learning options closer to home for those living in the region. Students told Nanaimo Bulletin that they appreciate being able to spend less time commuting, and commented on the building being modern and welcoming. “This space was designed for the community in mind. It’s accessible, modern and right in the heart of Langford,” explained Royal Roads President Philip Steenkamp.

Collège d’Alma, the college foundation, and the city of Alma have signed a five-year partnership to enhance the living and learning environment offered to students. This $500K agreement guarantees access to municipal facilities for Collège d’Alma Jeannois student athletes and certain educational activities. Additionally, the partners have launched branding to position Alma as a welcoming and dynamic city, promote Alma’s leisure, culture, sports, services, and quality of life, and bring existing and future initiatives together to link the city to the student community.

Ivey Business School at Western University has announced that it will launch a Graduate Diploma in Management for non-business professionals in 2026. The four-month program for working professionals will be offered in a blended format with two in-person weekends and a five-day capstone project. “By equipping non-business graduates with essential business knowledge and leadership capabilities, we’re opening the door to new career possibilities and a broader, more diverse classroom experience,” said Ivey Associate Dean of Programs Darren Meister. Learners who complete this program will be able to transition into Ivey’s Accelerated MBA with advanced standing and an entrance scholarship.

In several parts of Eastern Canada, postsecondary institutions are raising the alarm about low international student applications and the resulting impact on innovation and the economy in their provinces. CBC reports that universities in Québec have seen a 46% decline in applications from international students between 2024 and 2025. Université de Montréal spokesperson Geneviève O’Meara and Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières President Christian Blanchette asserted that the loss of international students will be felt in terms of innovation, economic development, and competitiveness. Speaking to CTV News, Association of Atlantic Universities Director Peter Halpin echoed these comments: “They’re our future professionals, business leaders, community leaders, health-care professionals. They’re just so important to the development of our region.”

Camosun College and Kenya Coast National Polytechnic have partnered to offer the Resilient Leadership Program, which is co-administered nationally by Colleges and Institutes Canada and Universities Canada. The program offers young entrepreneurs—especially women and marginalized students—the opportunity to learn skills that they can then bring back to their communities. Through this partnership, Camosun will provide resources and support including academic guidance, industry experiences, and career development. This Fall, the first cohort of students from Mombasa will attend Camosun for a full semester in the School of Business, completing specially selected courses focused on entrepreneurship, leadership, operations management, and sustainability.

Red River College Polytechnic has launched a new partnership with home-share provider SpacesShared where students will be able to rent spaces from local host families in Winnipeg. RRC Polytech CEO Rylan Kinnon expressed hope that the program will foster strong friendships between students and hosts as they live together, and that students will be able to more easily adapt to living in Winnipeg with help from their host families. “Bringing people together creates incredible opportunities for bonding and we love to hear from our hosts and students about the experiences they share together,” he said.

Red Deer Polytechnic and the University of British Columbia have both recently unveiled new robots on their campuses. At RDP, Dr Woof—an intelligent bionic quadruped robot equipped with a 4D LiDAR scanner—was introduced on International Dog Day as a “dynamic ambassador for the future of robotics, automation, and advanced manufacturing.” At UBC, a partnership with Rogers Communications has brought three four-wheeled Kiwibots—Grey, Kelly, and Robson—to the UBC bookstore. For four weeks, they will answer student questions and hand out treats. Both institutions intend to use the robots for applied research and data gathering.

The University of Windsor and two Unifor units—representing special constables and workers at the Energy Conversion Centre—recently avoided a strike by agreeing to extend their previous collective agreements. Both of the units’ agreements were set to expire on September 1st, just ahead of the start of the Fall term. In his comments to the Windsor Star, Unifor Local 444 President James Stewart acknowledged the university’s deficit and impending change in leadership, as well as the importance of ensuring the safety of students during the first week of school. Unifor Local 2458 Secretary-Treasurer Mike Kisch added that the unions plan to set a new deadline when they meet with incoming UWindsor President JJ McMurtry.

Several members of the British Columbia postsecondary education sector have spoken to the media about the challenges posed by underfunding and the drop in international student numbers. Speaking to City News, BC Federation of Students Secretary-Treasurer Cole Reinbold said that students are facing obstacles such as shorter library hours, reduced course offerings, and less support on campus. Reinbold told Daily Hive that the cuts could impact student graduation times. BC’s Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills also noted the federal government’s “lack of consultation and the impact of abrupt policy shifts” in regards to international student visas. In an article for the Vancouver Sun, Kwantlen Polytechnic University Faculty Member John Shepherd described the experience and expertise lost as employees depart.