How does Canada solve its sustainable infrastructure crisis?
The ever-present threat of climate change increasingly permeates every aspect of our lives—from transportation to food security, and from affordable and safe housing to clean air and reliable supply chains. But how does Canada solve a sustainable infrastructure crisis? Through knowledge, global connections, and innovation. Sustainable infrastructure is not only about green transportation and energy-efficient […]
Building a more sustainable financial foundation for Canada’s universities and colleges
At first blush, a Statistics Canada report on university finances released last month seemed to trumpet some good news for the country’s academic community. Universities and colleges, it appears, weathered the first waves of the COVID-19 storm surprisingly well, posting a collective and record-breaking surplus of $7.3-billion in 2020-21. But when you dig further into […]
Here’s what’s still needed to drive innovation
In 2017, Canada launched the world’s first national artificial intelligence (AI) strategy. The Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy—led by the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR) and funded by the federal government—was created to help establish a robust national AI ecosystem by 2030. The ambitious goal was to accelerate AI research and education, spur the development […]
Universities with expanded or refined online courses want more broadband access for students
Universities across Canada have mostly returned to in-person classes after more than two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, but some expanded online courses are keeping the demand high for increased broadband connectivity in remote areas of Canada so students can take advantage. “This semester, we have about 10 per cent of our courses that are […]
Canada’s growing applied research sector is full of promise
Few transformations in the post-secondary landscape have been as impressive as the growth of the applied research sector in colleges and institutes across Canada. With institutions taking on more and more business-driven projects aimed at solving real-world challenges at the “speed of business,” they have given rise to a national network of research centres that […]
It’s time for Canada to learn its lesson about university research
After nearly two-and-a-half years of a global pandemic, the public is more engaged than ever with science and research. Never have there been more armchair experts in virology and vaccines. But while we may have collectively learned the difference between viral vector and mRNA vaccines, very few Canadians are aware of the many years of […]
Post-secondary transformation key to navigating the future
Canada’s post-secondary institutions have critical roles to play in helping fashion a more inclusive society, a cleaner environment, and a forward-looking economy that works better for everyone. Yet as they do so, Canada’s post-secondary institutions must also keep pace with changing times. Students today want and expect more from their post-secondary journeys, including more personalized […]
Canada needs research support to match our ambition
The start of this academic year is an exciting time for Canadian universities. But beyond welcoming students back to classes and laboratories, it is also a time to think about the critical role our institutions play in a successful national industrial policy. Researchers on campuses across the country lead pioneering research in many fields, including […]
Universities and Colleges
Ten years after the ‘death of evidence,’ scientists again march on Parliament Hill
Ten years ago, thousands of scientists and their supporters marched through Ottawa to Parliament Hill in the “death of evidence” rally. Some wore white coats, while others came in grim reaper costumes, complete with scythes. All came to mourn the demise of science in Canada’s democracy. At the time, research sites were being shuttered and […]
