Announcements

When:
November 13, 2025
Posters/Attachments: Event Poster

As autumn paints the trees in shades of red and gold — with a surprise sprinkling of snow this week — this seasonal transformation mirrors our return to the fall academic term as we continue to push the boundaries of discovery.

In the November FAST Times, Associate Dean, Francis Syms highlights the launch of our new Honours Bachelor of Computer Science – Cybersecurity that is designed to produce future-ready leaders equipped to meet the growing global demand for cybersecurity professionals.

As you read on, discover inspiring stories of our students and faculty whose passion and achievements continue to elevate the FAST community. This includes our ICT & Engineering students who earned first place at a hackathon hosted by the Longo Centre for Entrepreneurship and captured moments of our graduates and faculty at Fall Convocation to celebrate the Class of 2025!

Warm regards,

Paul Griffin
Senior Dean, Faculty of Applied Sciences & Technology

When:
November 13, 2025
Contact:
Sandra Leutri

Please share the opportunity below with students!

Sustainable Development Solutions Network Canada is launching the 2026 Youth Can Sustain Certificate.

This fully online, no-cost program is designed to equip Canadian post-secondary students with the knowledge and skills necessary to lead impactful SDG initiatives in their communities.

From January to April 2026, students will complete an online SDG course through the SDG Academy and attend at least 4 skill-building workshops on Saturdays, at 1 p.m. ET.

Learn more and students can register at Youth Can Sustain Certificate.

Applications close November 24, 2025.

 

When:
November 13, 2025

Discover what Xerox can do for you at Humber

Did you know Humber’s on-site Xerox Print Centre offers a full range of professional printing and finishing services? From booklets, posters, banners, and vinyl decals to course packs, diplomas, and signage, Xerox brings your creative vision to life — right on campus.

Services include:

  • Black & white and colour printing
  • Wide-format and specialty printing
  • Binding, laminating, and mounting
  • Custom dry erase boards, decals and pull-up banners
  • Course pack creation and digital print options

Submit your print requests easily through PrintSYS , Humber’s online print submission tool — available 24/7.

Location: NX210, North Campus
Contact: humncprint@xerox.com 
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Bring your ideas to life with Humber’s trusted Xerox team!

When:
November 12, 2025
Contact:
Humber Polytechnic Press

Journal of Innovation in Polytechnic Education (JIPE) is pleased to announce the publication of “Curiosity to Confidence with the AI Hub” by Victoria Chen, PhD; Ashnaa Narumathan, BASc, and Siobhan O’Donoghue, BAA 

Abstract:

In response to increasing curiosity, confusion, and concern about generative artificial intelligence (AI), the authors launched the AI Hub at the University of Guelph-Humber during the 2024–2025 academic year. Designed as a physical booth in a high-traffic area of campus, the AI Hub served as a welcoming space where students, instructors, and staff could explore the practical and ethical dimensions of AI through informal, hands-on interactions. Weekly activities ranged from live demonstrations to guided discussions and resource sharing, aiming to make AI approachable and meaningful for academic, personal, and professional use. These encounters encouraged dialogue and reflection, fostering a deeper understanding of AI’s capabilities and limitations. This paper describes the development and implementation of the AI Hub, offering insight into both the logistics and outcomes of this initiative. Over the course of the year, the AI Hub engaged more than 500 members on campus and over 18,000 views on videos on social media, suggesting strong interest and growing demand for accessible AI education. Reflections from the student research assistants who operated the booth revealed four key themes: shifting from fear to empowerment, creating safe spaces for open conversation, bridging understanding through practical tools, and reshaping their own perspectives on AI’s role in their future careers. 

This article offers a replicable, low-barrier model for engaging campus communities in ethical AI exploration and concludes with recommendations for institutions seeking to build confidence, curiosity, and critical awareness around AI technologies. 

Read “Curiosity to Confidence with the AI Hub”

About JIPE 

Journal of Innovation in Polytechnic Education (JIPE) is an online, open-access journal that mobilizes knowledge and insights generated by the global polytechnic community. JIPE is published by Humber Press at Humber Polytechnic and accepts submissions on a rolling basis. To learn more about JIPE, please visit jipe.ca.

When:
November 12, 2025

We are pleased to announce that Francis Syms will lead Humber Polytechnic’s newly launched School of Clean Energy. In this role, Francis will guide the development of the school while continuing to oversee the Information & Communication Technology (ICT) portfolio within the Faculty of Applied Sciences & Technology (FAST).

The School of Clean Energy reflects Humber Polytechnic’s commitment to preparing learners for Canada’s transition to a net-zero future. As global electricity demand grows, driven by AI, data centres, and widespread electrification, the school brings together skilled trades, engineering, and ICT to develop talent ready grads for emerging fields such as nuclear and renewable energy, smart grids, battery storage, cybersecurity, and AI-driven energy systems.

This initiative builds on the strong foundation already in place across FAST, connecting existing expertise and programs under a shared vision for sustainability and innovation.

Recognized as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for ten consecutive years, Humber is leveraging its award-winning campus as a living lab to advance applied learning and innovation. The School of Clean Energy will strengthen Humber’s position as a leader in sustainable, intelligent, and secure technologies shaping the future.  

Gina Antonacci, Ph.D.
Senior Vice-President, Academic
Paul Griffin, Ph.D.
Senior Dean, Faculty of Applied Sciences & Technology
When:
November 12, 2025

Earlier this year, the Office of Sustainability launched the new Faces of Sustainability campaign, highlighting the incredible people at Humber Polytechnic, and how they integrate sustainability into their activities on campus! Follow along with our updates to see the great work of the Humber community towards advancing sustainability.

The next group of changemakers in our Faces of Sustainability series is here:

  1. Aliya Dalfen, Liaison Librarian, Humber & University of Guelph-Humber Library
  2. Daniel Alonzo, Associate Director, Capital Development and Facilities Management
  3. Lora Nassim, Associate Director, IT Client Experience & Engagement, Information Technology Services
  4. Skye Soobramanie, Liaison Librarian, Humber & University of Guelph-Humber Library

Meet the students and staff driving real impact across Humber Polytechnic by accessing the Faces of Sustainability campaign website.

When:
November 12, 2025
Contact:
Karen Aboud
Poster for Eco Closet sale on November 19.

The Eco Closet event is a Humber event hosted by the students in the Event Planning class of the Business Program. The profits from the event will be donated by Humber Polytechnic to Youth Without Shelter.

Donations of used clothing and accessories are accepted into the boxes set up around the North Campus until November 17. 

The Eco Closet sale is on November 19 in the E-Concourse at North Campus. 

When:
November 12, 2025
Poster for 2025 Holiday Toy Drive

The Department of Public Safety is proud to kick off our annual Holiday Toy Drive! From November 12 to December 11, we’ll be collecting new, unwrapped toys to support the Toronto Police Services toy drive — with donations going to families right here in our Humber community.

This season, we’re encouraging everyone to think of all age groups, including teens, who are often overlooked during holiday drives.

Gift Suggestions:

  • For younger children: dolls, puzzles, coloring books, building blocks, or toy cars
  • For teens: gift cards, books, games, self-care items, sports gear, small electronics, or art supplies
  • For families: board games, blankets, or shared activity set

Team Giving Idea

Looking for a fun way to get your department involved? Try hosting a “Gift Exchange for Good” — buy a toy you think your colleague’s inner child would love, then donate those gifts together to the Toy Drive. It’s a great way to spread joy, build team spirit, and give back at the same time. 

Gift Card Donations: 

If you’d like to donate a gift card, please email publicsafety@humber.ca, and a member of the Public Safety team will arrange a convenient pickup. 

Calling All Humber and UGH Students 

Students, you’re a huge part of what makes this initiative special. Whether you drop off a toy, organize a mini toy drive with your club or program, or donate a small item on your way to class — every contribution helps. Your kindness brings smiles to children across our community and truly embodies the Humber and UGH spirit of giving. 

Drop-off Locations

North Campus

  • LRC Lobby
  • LRC 6th Floor
  • Student Residence Lobby
  • NX101 Public Safety Front Desk

Lakeshore Campus

  • L Building Lobby
  • WEL Building Lobby
  • Student Residence R
  • Student Residence AR

Let’s come together to spread some holiday cheer and make a difference in our community. Every donation counts — thank you for helping make the season brighter.

Happy Holidays from the Department of Public Safety.

When:
November 12, 2025

Each month Innovative Learning highlights faculty questions received by our Support Centre. This month we are sharing questions from both September and October. These are not necessarily the most frequently asked questions, but helpful for all faculty members to know. If you need further support with any of the materials shared, please contact us: Innovative Learning Support Centre.

Question: How do I setup the overall grade for my course?

Answer:

You can learn how to set up the Overall Grade by completing this simulation created by Innovative Learning. If you prefer, here are the steps below:

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  1. If you haven’t done anything in your Gradebook, at the bottom of the Gradebook you will see the Set it up option. The overall grade page will open up.

The option to set up overall grade, with an arrow pointing to the 'Set it up' button on the right.

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  1. Select the Overall Grade Calculation option. Please select Weighted.

The selection of the overall grade calculation, with options for points, weighted and advanced, with weighted selected.

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  1. Read the instructions located at the top of the screen. These instructions describe the function of each symbol within the overall grade calculation.

The instructions for assigning, unlinking, unlocking or excluding grades from the overall grade.

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  1. Please select how gradable items within the category should be distributed. By selecting proportionally, items are distributed based on their total points. For example, an item with 100 points will have twice the weight of an item with 50 points. Equally will ignore the total point and equally distribute weight for each item.

The options to proportionally or equally weigh gradable items within a category, with the option 'proportionally' selected.

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  1. If grading by category, input the correct weights of each category in their respective areas. Categories that are not being used can be exempted (grayed out row with a purple icon on the right as in the Homework category below).

The homework grade category is exempt.

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  1. If grading by individual items, unlink them from their associated category. This can be done by selecting the dropdown of the category and selecting the unlink icon next to the item that needs to be separated.

The option to unlink the grades in the category using the 'unlink' button on the right side of each graded item.

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  1. The item should now have a separate place to enter it’s individual weight.

The new 'assignment 2' category that appears after unlinking the grade category for assignments.

Note: The overall grade allows you to include both category and individual items in the calculation if desired.

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  1. Once all the appropriate weights have been entered, there are additional settings to the right of the screen. Here, you can dictate whether you want overall grade calculated based on the total of points earned.

Note: if these settings are not selected, the overall grade calculation will be a non-running total, and students are not able to view it. If you select Percentage, you can show the current running total in percentage.

Overall grades settings, with 'percentage' and 'show to students' selected.

Question: How do I teach using Teams? How do I use Breakout Rooms?

Answer:

Microsoft Teams is Humber’s official video conferencing tool for online course sessions. Microsoft Teams comes fully equipped with robust, professional features to maximize content sharing, collaboration and accessibility. When using Microsoft Teams to teach, you first need to create a meeting link; you can learn more by following Innovative Learning's article on creating Teams links, or follow the steps listed below:

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  • Step 1: Log into Outlook with your Humber login credentials.
  • Step 2: Go to the Calendar and Create a new event.
  • Step 3: Add a title, date and time to this meeting. Make sure to toggle on Teams meeting and click Save.
  • Step 4: Join the meeting, click the People tab and select Share invite to copy the meeting link.
  • Step 5: Share the meeting link with students by adding the meeting link to the Course Content area and Calendar in Blackboard. You can also share the link in an Announcement to the class.

Before the class, you can edit various meeting settings to ensure students participate in the way that is desired for. You can also share your screen or share live PowerPoint presentations during your Teams sessions.

During your sessions, you can encourage discussion and collaboration by using Breakout Rooms; please note that students will need to login via their Humber emails to join in Breakout Rooms. If students login using their personal emails, they will not be available to assign to Breakout Rooms.

Question: What is a rubric? How do I Create and Edit Rubrics in Blackboard?

Answer:

A rubric is a scoring tool you can use to evaluate graded work. When you create a rubric, you divide the assigned work into parts. You can provide clear descriptions of the characteristics of the work associated with each part, at varying levels of skill.

There are two ways to generate a rubric in Blackboard:

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  1. You can create one manually,
  2. or You can generate one using the AI Design Assistant.

Learn more about both options by reading Innovative Learning's creating a rubric resource. Rubrics can be added to assignments, tests, discussions and journals.

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  • For tests and assignments, you must associate a rubric before adding questions.
  • For discussions and journals, you must first enable grading before you can associate a rubric.

Learn more about adding rubrics to content items by reading Innovative Learning's article.

Please also note: Rubrics cannot be edited once students submit an assignment, test, discussion or journal that uses the rubric you are trying to edit.

Question: How do I create groups in Blackboard? How do I grade group assignments?

Answer:

There are a few different kinds of groups available for you to create:

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  1. Custom – You manually create groups and assign students to each group.
  2. Randomly assigned – Students are automatically assigned evenly to groups.
  3. Self-enrollment – This must be a visible group. Once created, it generates an announcement to notify students to sign up to a group. Students must self-enroll to a group to become part of it before a group assignment.
  4. Reuse groups – You can reuse an existing course group or group set you had previously created in your course.

Learn more about grading group assignments by viewing these instructions.

Question: How do I give a student an Accommodation, Exception, or an Exemption in Blackboard?

Answer:

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Contact the Innovative Learning Support Centre if you need support. We are here to help!

When:
November 12, 2025

The Student Feedback Questionnaire (SFQ) is Humber’s primary mechanism for collecting anonymous student feedback on the learning experience in each course, every semester. This process reinforces Humber's shared commitment to academic quality and reflective teaching practice and facilitates the continuous improvement of the student learning experience by using insights gathered from the students' responses. SFQ results are confidential and are not used in employment or contract negotiations. This process reinforces our shared commitment to academic quality and reflective teaching practice.

Before SFQ's begin for your course, instructors can add up to three personalized Likert scale questions and three personalized open-ended questions to the SFQ. This is a valuable way to align the SFQ with your specific course content, teaching practices, and initiatives, and it offers a convenient opportunity to gather meaningful feedback. About a week before your course’s SFQ opens, watch your Humber email for a reminder to submit your questions (for 14-week courses, you can expect to receive this email in Week 9, the week of November 9th to 15th, 2025).

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  • Some examples of likert-scale questions are as follows;
    • “The unit assignments made sense to me; I understood their purpose.” 
    • “Student response systems kept me engaged.” 
    • “Mixing groups to work with different peers helped me see other perspectives.”
  • Some examples of open-ended questions are as follows;
    • “What teaching methods were most effective in helping you understand the material?” 
    • “Was there anything about the course structure that helped or hindered your learning?” 
    • “How did inclusive practices (e.g., flexible deadlines, diverse content) impact your experience?”

Reach out to the Innovative Learning Support Centre to speak with an Educational Developer if you need help with forming these personalized questions for your course(s), or to the Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging at Humber Polytechnic by completing this request form, where you can meet with and/or discuss your personalized questions with a member of their team.  

If you do not receive an email with instructions on how to add your personalized questions, please double check using the SFQ date tool to confirm when the dates for your SFQ start; please also check your inboxes for messages from StudentFeedbackQuestionnaire@sfq.humber.ca (check your junk or spam mail if you don't see it in your inbox). If you have not received this email and want to add custom SFQ questions, please reach out to the Innovative Learning Support Centre.

Please note that once your SFQ dates begin, you will not be able to add personalized questions. This option is only available before your SFQ starts.

For more information regarding the SFQ and your SFQ dates, please check the SFQ News website available from Innovative Learning.

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