September 8, 2025

The University of Saskatchewan has officially concluded its 10-year Be What the World Needs fundraising campaign. The campaign raised more than $570M, with the funds put towards a variety of initiatives that included scholarships, research chairs, and facilities. USask President Peter Stoicheff said that the university can already see how the funds “have expanded opportunities for our students, faculty, and visiting researchers and how the campaign has positively impacted our teaching and research mission.” Stoicheff noted the generosity of alumni during the campaign, with one in nine alumni making a contribution.

The Government of Alberta has introduced the Alberta Jobs Strategy, which focuses on supporting job growth. The strategy includes initiatives that aim to increase skills, training, and education opportunities with a goal of preparing people to participate in AB’s workforce. It is composed of nearly 50 government programs and initiatives, including Advanced Education’s Foundational Learning Assistance and Community Adult Learning programs. “Together we are helping our students build not only successful careers but successful lives,” said Southern Alberta Institute of Technology President Dr David Ross.

The Université de Moncton and the Government of New Brunswick are working together to launch a program to train physiotherapists. By offering training within the province, the partners hope to increase the number of physiotherapists who stay in NB after completing their education. Starting in the 2027-28 school year, UMoncton will have 12 seats to train physiotherapists. NB says that this is the first physiotherapist training program in the province. CBC reports that while the province has not finalized its funding, it “intends to provide financial support for program development and startup costs.”

The University of Niagara Falls Canada has announced that it will launch three graduate programs within the next year in the areas of applied AI, applied social psychology, and health care management, respectively. UNFC says that each program was developed with the involvement of industry partners to satisfy real demand in Canada’s workforce. “By partnering with industry leaders and targeting sectors where needs are the greatest, we’ve created pathways that blend cutting-edge digital competencies with hands-on application,” said UNFC President David Gray. “Our graduates won’t just adapt. They’ll lead.” The applied social psychology program will launch this winter, while the two remaining programs will launch in Fall 2026.

Navigate—a partnership between Memorial University’s Grenfell Campus and College of the North Atlantic—has received $1.1M to deliver a training initiative focused on strengthening the province’s entrepreneurial capacity. The Harnessing Entrepreneurial Learning and Mindsets project will offer flexible, non-degree training programs combining AI education and entrepreneurship development. The funding will support the design and delivery of an online certificate in entrepreneurship, as well as the expansion of the Navigate flagship base camp program for early-stage entrepreneurs and the summit accelerator program. By 2029, the program is expected to have supported the launch of five new businesses and the creation of 15 new jobs.

Cambrian College’s Centre for Smart Mining has received a $1M investment from the Government of Canada. The centre will use the funds to scale up its research and training services over the next three years, positioning it to better meet the growing demand in the mining technology sector. It will also expand its research into EV powertrain testing and critical mineral extraction technologies. “Northern Ontario has long been a leader in mining innovation, and this investment is about making sure we stay ahead of the curve,” said Federal Minister of Jobs and Families Patty Hajdu. “This project is building strong communities and a strong economy in Sudbury and across the North.”

The University of Regina Students’ Union has announced a special general meeting later this month, in which the union will hold a vote on its potential dissolution. CKOM 650 reports that a new chairperson will be appointed for the meeting, which will be focused on the sole resolution. All fee-paying students registered at URegina and its associated colleges will be eligible to cast a vote. If they vote in favour of dissolution, URSU would be concluded within 90 days of the vote, with all records and data remaining property of the union while the university’s board of governors holds its other remaining assets in trust until a new union is created.

Kenjgewin Teg will launch its first program accredited by the Indigenous Advanced Education and Skills Council (IAESC) in September 2026. The Indigenous Studies Program – Certificate II is a one-year certificate that ladders into the institution’s 3-year Indigenous Studies Bachelor of Arts degree. It introduces learners to the Anishinaabemowin language, Indigenous governance, and foundational knowledge of Indigenous peoples and cultures. “This certificate is an exciting pathway not only toward building First Nation community and organizational capacity in both urban and rural locations, but it also serves to strengthen Indigenous allyship and the active and ongoing practice of supporting Indigenous peoples, communities, and rights in ways that are respectful, informed, and rooted in solidarity,” shared Kenjgewin Teg President Beverley Roy.

McGill University and the Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) have reached a renewed agreement after McGill gave SSMU a notice of termination in April. The two parties participated in mediation sessions throughout the summer. Through this renewed commitment, McGill’s University Centre will continue to be the central hub for SSMU-sponsored student clubs and services. The changes to the agreement include McGill’s removal of clauses that could disqualify some students from running in SSMU elections, a SSMU commitment to candidate codes of conduct, and updates to SSMU governing documents.

CBC reports that a group of 25 graduate students from China have filed a case in the Federal Court against Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, claiming that their study permit applications have been unfairly stalled. The students—all of whom were still awaiting a decision when classes started this month—claim that the IRCC’s inaction is causing significant harm to their lives. “The IRCC pressed the pause button for my life for over one year,” said Yixin Cheng, a prospective PhD student in computer science who has been waiting to hear about his application since May 2024. The IRCC told CBC that all applicants are subject to the same screening processes.