This text is part of the special Higher Education notebook
The year 2024-2025 got off to a strong start in Quebec universities, marked by the launch of new programs, artistic and social initiatives on campus as well as a greater place given to environmental issues.
Management and entrepreneurship come to INRS
The National Institute of Scientific Research (INRS) is offering a new microprogram in management and entrepreneurial development based on research, intended for second cycle students. This training aims to develop essential skills for positions in research and development, laboratory or scientific project management or for business management. Participants will learn in particular how to transform scientific ideas into products, services or social innovations. The three courses in the program address human resources and budget management, management, the legal context and the analysis of commercial opportunities. The training is offered at the Center Armand-Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, in Laval.
New programs in sexology and criminology at Laval University
Laval University becomes the second educational establishment in the province, after the University of Quebec in Montreal (UQAM), to offer a bachelor’s degree in sexology. This new training is in addition to a microprogram on sexual violence and a certificate in sexual health, and aims in particular to meet significant needs for sexological support in the Capitale-Nationale and Est-du-Québec regions. .
At the same time, Laval University is inaugurating a doctorate in criminology, thus enriching its offer of certificates, bachelor’s and master’s degrees in the field. This doctorate will open graduates to career opportunities in research, college or university teaching as well as as an analyst within a ministry.
International engineering at McGill
For the past year, McGill University has been offering an undergraduate program in global engineering, in partnership with CentraleSupélec, a prestigious engineering school affiliated with Université Paris-Saclay, in France. The first two years, the general courses are offered in Saclay, in the Paris suburbs. Students then continue their training at McGill University. They can maintain a generalist path or perfect their knowledge in one of the following specialties: bioengineering, chemical, civil, electrical, mechanical, materials engineering, data sciences or entrepreneurship. The four-year program is offered entirely in English.
Indigenous governance and business intelligence at UQAT
This fall, the Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT) is launching a new graduate microprogram in business intelligence, entirely offered remotely. With five courses, the program allows registrants to deepen their skills in data science, artificial intelligence, programming, statistics, algorithms and data visualization. It complements an undergraduate microprogram and a certificate in the same field.
In addition, UQAT has been offering a cumulative bachelor’s degree in indigenous territorial governance for one year. It thus becomes possible to combine certain programs, such as certificates and microprograms offered by the School of Native Studies. The majority of courses are accessible remotely.
Thinking about the future and inviting art to campus at UdeM
The University of Montreal is launching interdisciplinary student collectives intended to reflect on two contemporary issues, namely artificial intelligence (AI) and the environment. Each of these collectives will bring together, with the support of a team from the university, around sixty students from various disciplines who will meet throughout the year to exchange ideas, expand their network and carry out a concrete project in link with their theme. These projects could take the form of conferences for the general public, an original comic strip or workshops for young people.
The Cercle Vinci will focus on AI and health, in collaboration with the Institute for Research and Transfer in Artificial Intelligence (IVADO). For its part, the Gaïa Circle will focus on the ecological transition from a health perspective, in collaboration with the Student Club for One Health and the One Health Initiative. Participants will take part in team retreats, networking activities and scientific activities, such as the Acfas congress. Open to undergraduate and graduate students, the Circles will begin with a kickoff event in early October.
In another vein, community art workshops, commonly called Art Hives, are offered to the University’s student community. An initiative of the Sustainable Development Unit and the Cultural Activities of Student Life Services, ephemeral Hives take place every Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the cafeteria of pavilion 3200 Jean-Brillant. Nomadic Hives will also take place occasionally in different places within the institution, from regional campuses to student cafes. Future workshops will explore creation using watercolor paint, clay, recycled objects or stencils.
For more sustainable management at HEC Montréal
A thousand students from the Bachelor of Business Administration (BAA) program at HEC Montréal are beginning a course to which a new dimension has been integrated: sustainable development. They previously assessed their knowledge of sustainability using the TASK certification (The Assessment of Sustainability Knowledge), an internationally recognized test with 112 questions developed by the Sulitest Association. “The TASK allows students to become aware of the responsibilities they will have as managers,” explains Luc Bélanger-Martin, senior lecturer in the Department of Management and head of the Transfer component at the Management Education Research Center at HEC Montreal. “We want to train responsible leaders. Throughout their journey, we want to develop their knowledge, their sense of responsibility and their ability to act. » Notions in sustainable development will thus be distilled throughout their training. In the third year, this first cohort will retake the TASK test to assess their sustainability skills. With this initiative, the Sustainable Transition Department at HEC Montréal aims to train future managers capable of becoming agents of change within organizations.
Preparing for green jobs at UdeS
The University of Sherbrooke recently updated three of its environmental programs to better prepare future professionals for green jobs. These positions, which contribute to environmental protection and sustainable development, include roles such as environmental advisors, sustainable development, corporate social responsibility or sustainable mobility. These professionals support municipalities, businesses, government authorities and non-profit organizations in the socio-ecological transition.
As part of the Bachelor of Environmental Studies, students will participate in educational activities such as organizing an eco-responsible event. This will allow them to analyze real problems, propose innovative solutions and think about the best public awareness strategies. A 7-credit interdisciplinary course has also been integrated into the master’s degree and the Specialized Postgraduate Diploma in Environment, allowing participants to deepen their knowledge of complex environmental issues.
This content was produced by the Special Publications team at Dutyrelating to marketing. The writing of the Duty did not take part.