The Canadian military is urging universities and colleges to sign a statement of support for students who are members of the reserve force, making it easier for these students to participate in military training exercises and in overseas missions. So far, about 25 universities have agreed to sign the non-binding statement.

Two Ontario institutions have joined the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada: the University of Ontario Institute of Technology and the Ontario College of Art & Design. The University of Ontario Institute of Technology, based in Durham, Ontario, has 4,300 students in seven faculties, including education and engineering.

Sometime within the next 12 months a lucky researcher will become the 2,000th recipient of a coveted Canada Research Chair. The federal government created the program six years ago to establish 2,000 research professorships, so there is some speculation - and confusion - as to what happens to the program once that milestone is reached.

The Canadian government appointed prominent historian Chad Gaffield president of the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, filling a position that has been vacant for a year. Dr.

For the first time, Canada has a detailed snapshot of its strengths - and weaknesses - in science and technology. A new report, released by the Council of Canadian Academies in mid-September, found that Canada was above average in many sectors, judged by international standards, and did very well in four principal areas (see "Highlights").

A patent lawsuit filed in August continues to trouble many members of Canada's academic community, who worry that it might dampen the development of widely used teaching software. The legal action was launched by Blackboard Inc.

If you're a senior university researcher or research administrator, chances are you received an online survey this summer asking you about Canada's strengths in science and technology. The survey is part of a study on Canada's S&T assets conducted by the Council of Canadian Academies, the new name for the Canadian Academies of Science, which was created with federal funds in 2005 to conduct independent science-based assessments.