New Campus Launch for Westcliff University in Canada

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Westcliff University has just opened its first campus in Canada, located in Markham, Ontario, within venture LAB’s 50,000-square-foot innovation center in the original IBM building. The California-based university is now accepting students into its Master’s in Information Systems Technology (MIST) program, which includes topics like AI and machine learning, cybersecurity and enterprise risk management, smart manufacturing, and information systems strategy.

The greater Toronto area boasts over 414,000 tech professionals, making it North America’s third-largest tech hub. Job postings related to AI have jumped by 28% year-over-year as we enter Q4 2025, with 48% of Canadian IT hiring managers planning to expand their teams in 2026.

This demand is clear, but the talent available to meet it isn’t growing fast enough.

The MIST program was created alongside Ontario’s tech industry and a Program Advisory Committee made up of local tech leaders from Toronto. The program features eight-week course cycles along with a blend of in-person and online options tailored for working professionals who can’t step away from their jobs to attend school.

“Toronto’s employers need graduates who are ready to contribute on day one in AI, cybersecurity and smart manufacturing – and that is exactly who our MIST program produces,” says Dr. Anthony Lee, President and CEO of Westcliff University. 

“Our programs are structured so students can pursue their passion, advance their careers and earn their degree without stepping away from the workforce.”

The co-location at venture LAB offers more than just physical space. This hub has supported over 4,000 companies, providing students direct exposure to high-growth firms that require their skills the most.

“This partnership creates a direct bridge between specialized talent and high-growth companies,” says Hugh Chow, CEO of venture LAB.

Westcliff stands out as one of the few international institutions approved to operate here due to a partnership with the Trade Commissioner of Ontario aimed at addressing labor shortages and skill gaps in the region.

Final Shots

The GTA’s shortage of tech talent is significant enough that an American university established a Canadian campus to help resolve it with a curriculum developed alongside employers from the Toronto area. Being part of venture LAB gives students immediate access to a hub that has helped over 4,000 companies. The ultimate measure will be whether MIST graduates find positions in cybersecurity, AI, and smart manufacturing roles that Canadian employers say they can’t fill.

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