Inside Western – a news digest for staff and faculty

Oct. 10, 2025

Western International College set to launch

An image of International College on the university’s west campus, formerly the Brescia campus

Western International College will be located on the university’s west campus. (Photo source: Navitas)

Western and Navitas, a global leader in post-secondary recruitment and education, have signed an agreement and are preparing to launch the Western International College on the university’s west campus, formerly the Brescia campus. In the months ahead, efforts will focus on designing programs and building shared services as part of a phased rollout. 

Study reveals how HIV hides in the body

A photo of Stephen Barr

Stephen Barr (Photo source: Frank Neufeld)

Schulich Medicine & Dentistry professor Stephen Barr and University of Calgary researchers uncovered how HIV embeds in DNA differently across body tissues, revealing why the virus persists despite treatment and offering insights that could inform new therapies.

Western welcomes first King’s Commonwealth Fellow

A photo of Mark Bastian

Mark Bastian (Submitted photo)

Mark Bastian from the University of Guyana is collaborating with biology professor Bryan Neff to advance amphibian conservation research through the King’s Commonwealth Fellowship, which supports PhD researchers tackling sustainability challenges in small island developing states.

Playoff run fuels Canadian pride

A photo of the Toronto blue jays at the rogers centre

The Toronto Blue Jays are often framed as 'Canada's Team' as the only Canadian organization in Major League Baseball. (Photo source: Wikimedia Commons)

Noah Eliot Vanderhoeven, a political science PhD candidate, explores how the Toronto Blue Jays are tapping into national pride during their playoff run amid tense relations between the U.S. and Canada. 

Also covered by: The Morning Show on AM980

The Impact Project 

Explore how the Western community is collectively contributing to meaningful change in the world, today.

photo of Egide Kalisa

Egide Kalisa (Photo source: Steven Anderson/Western Communications)

Egide Kalisa: How children in Rwanda advocate for better air quality.

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Coming Up

Oct. 14 (12:10 to 12:50 p.m.)
Yoga with Tracy

Join instructor Tracy Ishmael for a Living Well @ Western yoga class focused on improving posture, coordination and strength and earn points through Western’s Wellness Rewards program. Arts & Humanities Building, Rm. 2B15.

Oct. 15 (11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
Western United Way Campaign Kickoff
Enjoy a chili lunch on Renaissance Square (in front of Weldon Library) and support the local community through United Way Elgin Middlesex. A $10 donation includes chili, a fresh roll and a soft drink.

Oct. 16 (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
Indigenous Artisan Market
Browse handcrafted beadwork, ribbon skirts, apparel, artwork and more from local Indigenous artisans at Ivey’s Indigenous Artisan Market in the Richard Ivey Building’s Grand Hall. Everyone is welcome to this free event. 

Oct. 16 (noon to 1 p.m.)
Building Bridges: Collaboration at Work
Join a virtual workshop presented by Employee Well-being and Telus Health to learn strategies for building collaboration skills that boost positivity and productivity at work. Register online.

Oct. 17 (11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
Fall Pride Parade
Celebrate 2SLGBTQIA+ communities during the Fall Pride Parade. Starting at Concrete Beach, the parade goes through campus and ends with an afternoon of music, dancing and refreshments back on Concrete Beach. 

Oct. 29 (12:30 to 1:30 p.m.)
Senate and Board of Governors Elections Information Session 
Learn more about Western’s governance structure and how to run in upcoming elections. Register online by Oct. 23. Alumni Commons, Ronald D. Schmeichel Building for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

Working at Western

a photo of middlesex college

 Middlesex College (Photo source: Steven Anderson/Western Communications)

Western's Accessibility Advisory Committee
Western has launched an Accessibility Advisory Committee to advance campus accessibility with input from students, staff, faculty and alumni. Submit an application by Oct. 20.

Call for Nominations: Honorary degrees
The Senate honorary degrees committee is inviting members of the community to nominate individuals meriting an honorary degree. The deadline is Oct. 30.

Employee Celebration Days
To recognize the passion, dedication and innovation faculty and staff bring to supporting Western’s teaching and research mission, all employees are invited to join colleagues for Employee Celebration Days. Visit the Employee Celebration Days website to learn more. 

Join the Autumn Academic Procession
Autumn Convocation is Oct. 22 and 23. Members of Western's Board of Governors and Senate, and current or retired faculty, librarians and archivists are invited to take part in the academic procession. Visit the University Secretariat website for more information. 

Temporary Road Closure: University Drive at Richmond Street Gates
University Drive will be closed to vehicle traffic at the Richmond Street gates from Tues., Oct. 14 to Fri., Oct. 24 to complete underground water and sewer work for the new student residence. Vehicles can access campus via Huron and Sunset streets. The south sidewalk will remain open for pedestrian use.

Photo of the Week

A photo Simu Liu

Actor, writer and producer Simu Liu, HBA’11, spoke to hundreds of students at Alumni Hall on Oct. 8, sharing candid stories about resilience, identity and mental health during "The Power of the Possible" event. Read the Western News story to learn more. (Photo source: Colleen MacDonald/Western Communications) 

two coffee cups near fair trade sign

Western in the News

In addition to the news above, your colleagues have been featured in the following media outlets.

A photo of Luke Stark, Bob McDonald (CBC Quirks & Quarks host) , Ana Luisa Trejos

Luke Stark (left) and Ana Luisa Trejos (right) join CBC Quirks & Quarks host Bob McDonald at the Perimeter Institute for a taping of the show’s 50th anniversary special on Oct. 7.  (Photo source: Jeff Renaud/Western Communications)

CBC Quirks & Quarks
50th anniversary special on the future of science
Tune in to CBC Radio on Oct. 11 as FIMS professor Luke Stark discusses the future of AI and engineering professor Ana Luisa Trejos highlights advancements in automation and robotics.

BBC Science in Action
Wolves are still terrified of Nature’s apex predator – us

Biology professor Liana Zanette shares insights about her research showing wolves continue to fear humans even in areas where the animal is legally protected.

CBC The National
'Offensive' undershirt descriptions remain on Amazon, despite complaints

Sociology professor Kaitlynn Mendes calls for a regulatory body to ensure online platforms remove harmful content. 

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