Post-pandemic recovery plans must include access to education for refugee students
The COVID-19 pandemic brought challenges for internationalization in Canadian higher education over the past year. Study permits issued for international students dropped by 22.3 per cent in the second quarter of 2020. As part of pandemic recovery, Canadian higher education institutions have focused on enticing the return of international students. This is understandable in Canada, […]
We need a long-term plan for the post-secondary sector in Canada
For decades, Canada’s universities and colleges have been adrift. There have been reports and targeted programs, but no long-term plan to sustain a complex sector that generates research, supports federal policies from immigration to economic development, and helps educate about half of adults in Canada aged 25 to 64. Comparing federal support for post-secondary institutions […]
Keep the umbrella handy to weather the next storm
Investing for a rainy day is hard for governments who are often judged on “what have you done for me lately.” This is why adequately preparing for rare events like global pandemics is challenging. The better prepared we are, the less likely we will see really bad outcomes. When we don’t see bad outcomes, we […]
University innovation: a transformative force for Canada’s post-pandemic economy
Every technological revolution that society has witnessed was preceded by a major global crisis, and each was driven by major public investments. In each case, the distribution of economic power changed. As we consider what technological shifts will transform our society following massive post-pandemic investments, we must look at further developing and nurturing a culture […]
Maintaining Canada’s momentum as a magnet for international talent
Against the ongoing backdrop of COVID-19, Canada’s universities are once again delivering a unique fall semester. Our fall schedules are a mix of in-person, remote, and hybrid course delivery. Our campuses are enveloped in pandemic health and safety measures. As in other spheres, it feels like higher ed globally is experiencing a pivotal moment of […]
Halting the rising tide: the student mental health crisis on post-secondary campuses
It’s no secret that a mental health crisis is raging on Canadian post-secondary campuses. Even before COVID-19, post-secondary students in Canada reported shocking levels of depression and anxiety. The onset of the pandemic, and the campus lockdowns that followed in late March 2020, have only served to further these negative trends. While the pandemic has […]
Universities and Colleges Research
Elections Canada’s move to scrap Vote on Campus program could lower youth turnout, reduce NDP and Liberal ballots, analysts say
Elections Canada scrapping its Vote on Campus program could lead to a lower voter turnout among young Canadians in the federal election, an outcome two political analysts say will most hurt the Liberal and NDP ballot counts. “If you’re the Liberals, you’re probably more concerned about that because in the last two elections you tended […]
Looming post-pandemic children’s crisis calls for federal leadership
The debate about in-person learning has intensified over the last few weeks, especially in parts of Canada where schools remain closed, shedding new light on the trials this pandemic has created for many children, youth, and families. With vaccination giving rise to new hope that ‘normalcy’ is on the horizon and the health crisis may […]
Mental health support for post-secondary students has never been more critical
The creativity, perseverance, and achievement of students, faculty, and staff at universities across the country have been inspiring in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. At the same time, the pandemic has illuminated cracks in the foundations of many institutions that support our society. It has shone light on the pressure points—the bruises and hidden […]
