The 2025-2026 academic year features new partnerships and exciting opportunities for collaboration.
York University unveils new School of Medicine sign next to Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital
In July, York University unveiled its new sign today at the site of its future School of Medicine building next to Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital in the Vaughan Healthcare Centre Precinct. The unveiling featured speeches from MPP Stephen Lecce, City of Vaughan Mayor Steven Del Duca, and the Honourable Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security. York’s new School of Medicine, the first Canadian medical school to focus on community-based primary healthcare education and training for Ontario’s future primary-care doctors, will open in September 2028.
York U and the Ontario Centre of Innovation sign a new agreement to foster healthcare innovation through partnership
Dr. Rhonda Lenton, York University President and Vice-Chancellor, and Claudia Krywiak, President and CEO, Ontario Centre of Innovation, signed a new agreement to work together to foster healthcare innovation through collaboration with partners within the Vaughan Healthcare Centre Precinct.
Parliamentary Secretaries Maggie Chi and Karim Bardeesy visit Nursing Simulation Centre at York University
In August, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health, Maggie Chi, and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Industry, Karim Bardeesy visited York's Nursing Simulation Centre and met with students from the Internationally Educated Nurses BScN Program. Thanks to PS Chi and Bardeesy for joining us to learn more about our new School of Medicine, contributions in health research and training, including support for internationally educated health professionals seeking to transition into or advance in the Canadian healthcare system.
York's BEA receives $2.4M investment to empower Black founders
In September, The Black Entrepreneurship Alliance (BEA), a co-designed collaboration between York University’s YSpace and the Black Creek Community Health Centre, received $2.4 million from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) to expand the Alliance’s programming. Announced by Judy Sgro, MP for Humber River–Black Creek, the funding underscores the vital role Black entrepreneurs play in shaping Canada’s economy and the importance of supporting their growth. Since its launch in 2021, BEA has supported 136 ventures, helping them generate more than $46 million in revenue, raise $7.3 million in funding, and create 989 jobs.
Parliamentary Assistant and YorkU Alumnus Deepak Anand Visits YorkU
Deepak Anand, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security toured the Technology Enhanced Biopharmaceuticals Development and Manufacturing (TBioDM) initiative and the Climate-Data-Driven Design (CD3) Facility. Thanks to PS Anand for coming to learn about how our researchers are partnering with government and industry to drive innovation and strengthen Ontario's economy.
MP Michael Ma Visits York University’s Markham Campus
Michael Ma, Member of Parliament for Markham-Unionville, visited the Markham Campus for the first time since being elected in April’s federal election. MP Ma learned about the intentional, award-winning, sustainable design of the campus, which promotes collaboration and innovation. Among his stops were the gaming lab, audio and video recording spaces, workshop, and library.
York’s Markham Campus hosts MP Michael Ma and MPP Billy Pang at Doors Open
Michael Ma, Member of Parliament for Markham-Unionville and Billy Pang, Member of Provincial Parliament for Markham-Unionville visited York University’s Markham Campus in September for Doors Open Markham. In addition to showcasing our new state-of-the-art Markham campus, this visit was an opportunity to highlight the campus’ academic programs and research in technology and entrepreneurship.
YorkU meets IRC Parliamentary Secretary in Ottawa
In October, President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda Lenton and Provost and Vice-President Academic Lisa Philipps were in Ottawa for a series of meetings with government officials, including Peter Fagiskatos, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Immigration Refugees and Citizenship. This trip was an excellent opportunity to highlight York's new School of Medicine, the Connected Minds initiative, the real-world impact of York research, as well as the important contributions of our international students. Thanks to all those who met with us and attended our alumni festivities.
Georgina Memorandum of Understanding
On November 5, 2025, President Rhonda Lenton and Georgina Chief Administrative
Officer Ryan Cronsberry signed a new memorandum of understanding (MOU) between York University and the Town of Georgina. This partnership reflects our shared values of collaboration, innovation, sustainable economic development, and community empowerment.
Glendon College commemorated with new provincial plaque
We were delighted to host Her Honour the Honourable Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, at Glendon College in December for the unveiling a new provincial plaque. A joint initiative between the Ontario Heritage Trust and York University, the plaque commemorates the College's pivotal role in advancing bilingual education in Ontario and across Canada.
National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women
On December 6, 2025, York University held a memorial ceremony in honour of the 14 women killed at Polytechnique Montréal on December 6, 1989: Geneviève Bergeron, Hélène Colgan, Nathalie Croteau, Barbara Daigneault, Anne-Marie Edward, Maud Haviernick, Maryse Laganière, Maryse Leclair, Anne-Marie Lemay, Sonia Pelletier, Michèle Richard, Annie St-Arneault, Annie Turcotte, and Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz.
We are grateful to Her Honour the Honourable Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, for joining us to reflect, reaffirm our collective responsibility to stand with survivors, raise awareness, and challenge the underlying norms that allow violence and hate to persist.
Deputy Minister David Wai visits York University
David Wai, Deputy Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security, visited York’s Keele Campus to see the Nursing Simulation Centre in action. The 5,000-square-foot facility offers undergraduate and graduate students hands-on, experiential learning in simulated hospital environments, enabling students to build and refine essential clinical skills. This is one example of York University’s commitment to preparing students for successful, career-ready futures.
YorkU innovation highlighted in provincial bid for defense, security, & resilience bank
York University had the opportunity to collaborate with the Hon. Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security and the Hon. Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines to support Ontario’s bid to bring the new Defence, Security & Resilience Bank to Toronto. We are very proud to see York’s strength in talent, research, innovation, and global engagement reflected in this effort.
York Region signs new partnership agreement with York University
On February 5, the York Region Council and York University Interim President Lisa Philipps signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen collaboration around shared priorities. The MOU builds upon a longstanding partnership and will focus on entrepreneurship, experiential learning, and workforce development, creating new learning opportunities for students in York Region.
Muskoka District Chair visits York University
Jeff Lehman, Chair of the District Municipality of Muskoka, visited the Advanced Disaster, Emergency and Rapid Response Simulation (ADERSIM) lab to learn how York University is working with municipalities across Ontario to prepare for and respond to real-world events. In addition to conducting sector-leading research in this critical field, York is the only Canadian university to offer both undergraduate, masters and PhD programs in Disaster and Emergency Management.
York University welcomes government officials to the k2i Academy
Mohamed Firin, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development and MPP for York South-Weston and Patrice Barnes, Chair of the Premier’s Council on Equality of Opportunity, visited York University’s kindergarten to industry (k2i) academy to learn how k2i is transforming learning environments and inspiring the next generation of STEM professionals and global citizens. k2i’s Specialist High Skills Major in STEM programs seeks to breakdown systemic barriers by providing Black youth in grades 11 and 12 with access to opportunities in STEM, ensuring that these youth see themselves as integral parts of the industry.
YorkU signs MOU with Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation
In March, York University Interim President Lisa Philipps and Chief Margaret Sault of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation (MCFN) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to work collaboratively in the spirit of reciprocity. As part of the agreement, York will advance its ongoing work to address Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action and work with MCFN to co-create spaces and learning outcomes.
York University partners with York Region to host the Gateways to Pathways: Talent and Industry Forum
Presented in partnership with York University, York Region and York Regional Police, the Gateways to Pathways: Talent and Industry Forum brought together employers, job seekers, community organizations, and private sector partners to explore how inclusive hiring, equitable employment practices, and collaboration can strengthen our local economy.
Minister of Energy and Natural Resources joins local MPs at York University’s Markham Campus
The Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, and Members of Parliament Helena Jaczek (Markham—Stouffville) and Juanita Nathan (Pickering—Brooklin) toured York’s Markham Campus to learn how the university is training the next generation of entrepreneurs, providing students with skills for in-demand jobs, and partnering with industry to contribute to the national economy. The visit included a tour of York’s one-of-a-kind Biotechnology Lab, presentations from two YSpace-supported companies (Edgecom and Baüne), as well as a demonstration of artificial intelligence and virtual reality enabled learning simulations.
Natural Resources Canada announces energy investments at York’s Markham Campus
York University hosted Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, the Honourable Tim Hodgson, and Minister of Indigenous Services, the Honourable Mandy Gull-Masty, at the Markham campus to announce Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) investments in clean energy technologies. The announcement featured 13 NRCan funded clean energy projects, including Lassonde School of Engineering Professor Marina Freire-Gormaly’s innovative carbon capture technology.
PA Lorne Coe attends launch of York University’s new Artificial Intelligence for Public Health Advancement Centre of Excellence
Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security and MPP for Whitby, Lorne Coe, visited York’s Keele Campus to celebrate the launch of the Artificial Intelligence for Public Health Advancement (AIPHA) Centre of Excellence. PA Coe’s campus visit also included a tour and demonstration of York’s Technology Enhanced Biopharmaceuticals Development and Manufacturing (TBioDM) initiative, as well as the Mermut Integrated Biophotonics Applied Research Lab (MiBAR), highlighting York’s strengths and contributions in health and biomedical research and training.
Markham Mayor presents awards at the York Region Science and Technology Fair
City of Markham Mayor, Frank Scarpitti, visited York University’s Markham Campus to award top participants of the York Region Science and Technology Fair (YRSTF). The fair showcased how York Region students in grades 7 to 12 from are taking science and innovation to the next level to lead the future of STEM in Canada. Congratulations to all the participants and award winners!
YorkU welcomes Ontario’s investments in research and innovation
Interim President and Vice Chancellor, Lisa Philipps, and Associate Vice President, Research, Pina D’Agostino, represented York University as the Ontario Government announced their plans for protecting the province’s homegrown research and innovation. York University is one of 10 post-secondary institutions to receive Intellectual Property Ontario (IPON) funding for the recently launched Innovation Fellowship Program. The University will receive $575,000 in funding to support the Inventor to Founder Fellowship, a new collaboration at York between YSpace and the IP Innovation Clinic.
YorkU showcases research strengths in Ottawa
Interim President Lisa Philipps was in Ottawa this month for a series of meetings with government officials, including several YorkU alumni. This trip provided the opportunity to promote York’s new School of Medicine and showcase how York can support federal priorities through our research excellence in health and biotechnology, AI, defence/dual-use technologies, housing and infrastructure, and disaster and emergency management.
