Headlines for Jan. 17, 2022

Times Higher Education
Canada joining the rush to create a Darpa
Trudeau government set to fulfil campaign promise for version of legendary U.S. innovation agency, amid mixed expert assessment of its wisdom.

CTV News
Concordia faculty and administration reach agreement ending ‘landmark’ strike
Students at Concordia University of Edmonton will return to classes Wednesday after faculty members ratified a new collective agreement ending a nearly 12-day strike.

CBC News
U of Sask student, epidemiologist team up to track Canada’s rapid test results, fill COVID-19 data gaps
An online tool made by a University of Saskatchewan student could offer a clearer picture of how COVID-19 is spreading in Canada, by tracking results from rapid tests across the country.

The Globe and Mail
Canadian universities have weathered the COVID-19 pandemic without impact on enrolment or achievement
Despite the challenges that have accompanied the shift online during the pandemic, students seem to have persevered.

The Globe and Mail
We must establish Canadian university education as a prestigious brand worldwide
“The potential synergy between Canada’s universities and Canadians’ favourable views of immigration creates an imperative to turn low-cost, world-class higher education into our international brand.”

The Charlatan
Trinity Western University launches PhD in nursing, first doctorate of the school
Trinity Western University (TWU) has announced its first doctoral program in philosophy of nursing which will use Christian values to inform nursing education.

CBC News
Growing calls to have more students admitted to NOSM to address doctor shortage
Head of school said request is in to the province to allow more students to attend each year.

CBC News
Canadian students want clearer communication, more certainty from universities
Online learning is necessary in light of Omicron, but transparency is also needed, one student says.

CBC News
Collegiate instructors sue University of Winnipeg, province over ‘discriminatory’ vaccine mandates
Three University of Winnipeg Collegiate instructors are suing the school, the province and Manitoba’s chief public health officer over a vaccine mandate they call “overboard, unreasonable, and discriminatory.”

CTV News
Dual petitions argue for different learning directions at Western University
As education models continue to pivot towards in-person learning, Western announced its return to in-person learning on Friday, and reaction has led to two different petitions with over 2,000 signatures.

CTV News
Thousands sign SFU students’ petition for delayed return to classroom
A petition calling for Simon Fraser University to delay its scheduled return to in-person classes has gathered roughly 2,500 signatures in the four days since it launched.

CBC News
The ‘‘stress is coming back.’ Students weigh in on mental health on McMaster campus under COVID
McMaster University’s Dean of Students says “this will definitely be a term of transition.”

The Calgary Herald
Alberta post-secondary students to stay online as Omicron projected to peak
The University of Calgary, the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology, the University of Alberta, the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology and the University of Lethbridge will continue virtual classes for at least another six weeks.

The London Free Press
Western delays start of in-person classes for first-year students until Feb. 28
Most Western University students will return to in-person learning Jan. 31 while first-year students will remain virtual for another month, the university says.