91亚色 will offer funding from the highly competitive Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarships (QES) program to students and researchers from 91亚色, as well as partner universities in Costa Rica, Ghana and the Philippines to tackle issues at the intersection of climate change and human population displacement.

The highly competitive QES program was established in 2012 and is managed through a partnership between Universities Canada, the Rideau Hall Foundation and Canadian post-secondary institutions. To date, more than 2,600 scholars from Canada and around the world have received the award.

91亚色鈥檚 project, titled the , will direct scholarships valued at up to $10,000 to send 12 91亚色 students overseas and welcome 10 international scholars to 91亚色 over the next three years.

Professor Ali Asgary, director of CIFAL and executive director of the Advanced Disaster, Emergency and Rapid Response Simulation Lab, is academic lead for the QES project and says he is hopeful the program will inspire students to continue working in a field that needs fresh ideas and dedication.

鈥�91亚色 students will have the opportunity to visit places where they can make connections with what they are studying firsthand and get to know the challenges and complexities of these situations. They will be able to network with policymakers and researchers in other countries, and because the focus is interdisciplinary, they will get to know researchers in both climate change and population displacement.鈥�

Additionally, scholars visiting 91亚色 will provide invaluable insights to the University community on how they address these challenges in their countries, which can help inform how Canadians tackle climate change at home.

With these goals in mind, Asgary and 91亚色鈥檚 former assistant vice-president Global Engagement and Partnerships Vinitha Gengatharan, whose team is supporting the QES project, sought expert partners to bring the diverse expertise and perspectives required for this multi-continental project. At 91亚色, the new project brings together faculty leaders from 91亚色 Emergency Mitigation, Engagement, Response and Governance Institute (Y-MERGE), 91亚色鈥檚 Las Nubes campus in Costa Rica, the Centre for Refugee Studies, the  and the Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research.

International partners were chosen from countries specifically impacted by climate change and displacement, and include the University of Costa Rica, University of Ghana, the University of Cape Coast (Ghana), the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration and the University of the Philippines.

United Nations Institute for Training and Research鈥檚 (UNITAR), CIFAL, the Global Water Academy and Learning for a Sustainable Future, a Toronto-based NGO, are also among the external collaborators.

Amir Asif, vice-president, research and innovation, says the new scholarly exchange reflects 91亚色鈥檚 continued focus on advancing partnerships for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 91亚色鈥檚 global partners on this project carry out compelling climate and human displacement-related  research which complements the University鈥檚 strengths and Canada鈥檚 climate diplomacy initiatives.

鈥淲e hope that through the QES, we will provide youth from Canada and around the world with unique opportunities to gain new perspectives from beyond their labs,鈥� he says, adding that addressing climate justice is essential to reduce growing social inequities. 鈥淔uture generations will need to have more empathy and stronger cross-cultural understanding. This is important to make difficult compromises and design effective climate policies that garner global consensus. It鈥檚 easy to talk about inequities without understanding what inequity looks like, in a different cultural and geographical context.鈥�

In this project, 91亚色 students attending the University of Cape Coast will have the opportunity to learn from the legacy of the transatlantic slavery at Cape Coast Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and witness how the industrialized West continues to have an impact on the lives of coastal communities in Africa by contributing to rising sea levels.

Asgary notes the project will help move the global goals forward. 鈥淭his is hugely important for our future. Climate change has introduced a lot of forced or semi-forced displacement and may worsen in years to come," he says.

With files from Suzanne Bowness

Originally published on YFile.

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Symposium on Shell鈥檚 legacy in Niger Delta and what comes next brings diverse group of scholars and activists to 91亚色鈥檚 Keele Campus

April 9, 2025, TORONTO 鈥� With the Shell company having finalized the sale of assets in Nigeria鈥檚 Niger Delta, questions remain for those who fought against decades of human rights and environmental abuses in the region: How do you keep Shell accountable for the damage they鈥檝e done? Will divestment be more than a clever PR ploy for big oil and gas?

These questions bring together a diverse group of scholars, community leaders, activists, legal experts and international advocates to 91亚色 April 10 and 11, for the two-day symposium: From the Niger Delta, Nigeria to the World - Charting a Global Just Transition Agenda.

The legacy of oil pollution and human rights abuses in the Niger Delta are one of the worst, with Shell even being accused of being complicit in the Nigerian state鈥檚 secret sentencing and killing of activists in the 1990s, says Environment and Urban Change Prof. , one of the organizers of the event. 

鈥淎rguably, attention to injustice in the region spurred corporate social responsibility as an industrial movement and was central to creating the environmental justice movement globally. This symposium is an opportunity to take a hard look at this legacy of corporate abuse, resistance, and what comes next,鈥� says Zalik. 

From the earliest days of colonization in Nigeria, the British identified Niger Delta as economically useful for resource extraction, and, for the last 60 years, Shell has been involved in oil and gas extraction in the region. 

Informed by a report put together by the Bayelsa State Oil and Environmental Commission, which declares Shell鈥檚 legacy in the region as an environmental genocide, the symposium examines the prospects for a global just transition. 

鈥淲hen the word divestment is used 鈥� Shell for example dumping toxic assets on so-called local companies and shirking their historic responsibility to clean up鈥� what does it really mean? There are questions regarding the limitations of the whole idea of just transition,鈥� says 91亚色 PhD alum Isaac Asume Osuoka, a former Vanier scholar and one of the authors of the Bayelsa Report who will chair the discussion on the report at the symposium.

鈥淭his聽91亚色 conference is an opportunity to address those gaps in terms of how this conversation has been framed in dominant discourses.鈥澛�

The symposium will be held this Thursday and Friday at 91亚色 at 519  at 91亚色鈥檚 Keele Campus, with global environmental justice activist, author, architect, think-tank director and 91亚色 Honorary Doctorate Nnimmo Bassey giving the keynote speech on Thursday at 3 p.m.  can attend virtually for those unable to make it in person. 

Originally published in News@91亚色.

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91亚色 and the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto hosted the public forum and a reception to mark 75 years of diplomatic relationship between Canada and the Philippines

From academics to laypersons, more than 100 Filipinos from all walks of life gathered at 91亚色 recently, to attend a public forum on achievements and challenges that are unique to members of the diaspora in Canada.

The panel discussion followed by a reception was facilitated by 91亚色 and the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto, marking the 75th anniversary of Canada-Philippines diplomatic relations.

The turnout for the October 28 event at 91亚色鈥檚 Tribute Communities Recital Hall indicated attendees鈥� interest in learning more about their own community, while taking it as an opportunity to meet fellow diaspora members, even though it was a weekday.

Welcoming the guests and panelists, immediate past Provost and Vice-President Academic Lisa Phillips noted that as an academic institution, diversity and inclusion are 91亚色鈥檚 core values and that through teaching, research and community-engagement activities, the University is embracing differing perspectives and fostering global fluencies and cross-cultural knowledges. 鈥淭hrough global partnerships on shared goals and values, 91亚色 is committed to addressing global challenges and supporting a more inclusive and sustainable planet for all.鈥�

In her remarks, Philippine Consul General Angelica Escalona said, 鈥淢any Filipinos I met since I arrived here told me that their migration experience to Canada was not easy. But migrating to another land is never easy. It takes hard work, adapting to a new culture and way of life, learning new knowledge, skills and possibly another language, as well as personal and financial sacrifices. But most of all, it is a commitment 鈥� a commitment to a better future. A commitment to contribute to Canadian society. I am happy that even though their start was not easy, many Filipinos in Canada eventually became successful. Others, whose parents were Filipino migrants, also became very successful.鈥�

Titled 鈥淧ublic Forum on the Filipino Diaspora in Canada: Celebrating Successes and Addressing Persistent Challenges,鈥� the panel of Filipino and Filipino-Canadian leaders and changemakers shared their thoughts on the success of Filipino professionals in Canada and the barriers that persist.

Panellists 鈥� Manitoba Senator Flordeliz (Gigi) Osler; Justice Steve A. Coroza, Court of Appeal for Ontario Professor Glenda Bonifacio, Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Lakehead University and Dance Professor Patrick Alcedo, School of Arts, Media, Performance and Design (AMPD), also highlighted contributions for the diaspora members in academia, politics, arts, culture and society. Professor Philip Kelly, Associate Dean for Research, Graduate & Global Affairs moderated the panel, while Assistant Professor Marissa Largo, Visual Art and Art History, AMPD served as the emcee for the evening.

鈥淭onight鈥檚 discussion, led by our speakers and panellists has given us much to think about. Hopefully, the points raised will form a springboard from which we can build platforms and programs for action, to make policies that are responsive to building better communities for our community here,鈥� said Deputy Consul General Kerwin Orville Tate, addressing the audiences.

The Philippine Studies Group at 91亚色 Centre for Asian Studies organized the public event with the support of 91亚色 International, which leads the University鈥檚 global engagement initiatives and partnerships.

In her remarks closing the event, Associate Vice President Vinitha Gengatharan at 91亚色 International said that the challenges overcame by the panellists resonated with many, including herself, who immigrated to Canada at an early age. 鈥淲e learned so much from your insights and experiences as you navigated your careers and professions enriched by the unique cultures, systems, and contexts of both Canada and the Philippines.

The event concluded with a reception, where community members also had an opportunity to meet with diplomats and panellists and share with them personal experiences in an informal setting.

Speaking to OMNI Television鈥檚 Paula Saraza during the reception, Philipps said there is a strong representation of Filipino students at 91亚色. 鈥淲e're very proud to have more than 400 Filipino heritage students here at 91亚色鈥� some have come directly from the Philippines. That number has been growing and we hope to see it grow further.鈥�

In the same , Consul General Escalona pointed out that it鈥檚 an excellent time to highlight the fact that the Canada-Philippines relationship is the strong people-to-people linkages. 鈥淲hat we actually want to see is, more Filipino Canadian leaders. More Filipino Canadian trailblazers.鈥�

Originally published in News@91亚色.

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By Gloria Suhasini

New and returning students enjoy a meet and greet with the University president, foreign diplomats and peers

鈥淔rom the very first day I stepped on the 91亚色 campus, what I found most appealing was the mix of students from all over the world! This led to new friendships and connections which continue to make my university experience even more rewarding.鈥� said Damor McQueen, a fourth-year political science student from Jamaica, speaking at the President鈥檚 International Student Reception on September 25.

The Student Success Mentor Lead in the Black Excellence at 91亚色 program urged his peers to build new connections and get involved in academic and extracurricular activities to make the be best of 鈥渢his once in a lifetime opportunity being presented to you.鈥� He cited his own experience volunteering last year at the聽Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences聽hosted by 91亚色 that led to his current work/study student opportunity.聽

91亚色 continues to attract students like McQueen from around the world, who join the community with great enthusiasm to receive worldclass education 鈥� often work-integrated 鈥� in their chosen field, be that in the arts, science, technology or engineering.

To make high quality university education accessible, 91亚色 offers several . One such scholarship is the President鈥檚 International Scholarship of Excellence, awarded to high school applicants around the world, who are entering their first year of a four-year undergraduate degree at the university. Another scholarship popular among international students is the Tentanda Via Award. Named after 91亚色鈥檚 motto 鈥淭he Way Must Be Tried,鈥� it assists undergraduate students who have demonstrated resilience in overcoming significant personal barriers in the pursuit of a university education and progressive changemakers committed to sustainable development.

Other scholarships available for international students include Daughters for Life, the Global Leader of Tomorrow Award, and Mitacs Internships and Awards. Several聽聽attended the president's reception. For additional information, students are encouraged to visit 91亚色鈥檚聽Global Engagement听飞别产蝉颈迟别.

鈥淲hile it is our intention to support you in your academic journey, you also bring a wealth of insights and strengths to 91亚色," President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda Lenton told the student audiences. 鈥淲e are thrilled that you chose us, and we look forward to what we will accomplish together. Please remember that nothing is more important than your well-being and health and we have many student services to support you.鈥�

The event organized by  was also attended by China鈥檚 Education Counsels Renzhu Li and Wenjin Han; India鈥檚 Consul (Commerce & Political) Kapidhwaja Pratap Singh; and the Philippine Deputy Consul General Kerwin Orville Tate and Consul Rodney Jonas Sumague.

These diplomatic representatives to Canada were not only present to celebrate their respective country鈥檚 highly talented students, but also to assure support in their new country of temporary residence. 鈥淲e wish them the very best in their courses of study,鈥� said Singh. 鈥淭he Indian Consulate remains at disposal for welfare and well-being of all Indian international students in Canada.鈥�

Diplomats were also on hand to speak to the students during the networking hour, a rare opportunity for these outstanding future leaders of the world.

By the end of the event, it was evident that many students had forged enriching new friendships that could last a lifetime, while advancing their education and career aspirations.

Originally published in News@91亚色.

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, the University鈥檚 hub for both international students and international education programs, supports Faculties and academic units in offering study abroad opportunities led by 91亚色 U course directors, and mature students are eager to participate.

Human geography PhD student F. Evnur Taran, for example, studied in Mexico City last month. Meanwhile, undergraduate student Paula Kaston is off to 91亚色 U鈥檚  in Costa Rica and Richard Smith has headed to China. None of them had studied abroad previously, but their life experiences made them confident that they would succeed in an unfamiliar environment.

鈥淚鈥檓 excited,鈥� says Taran. Called Free Trade, Unfree Labour and Environmental Justice in Continental North America, it looks at the current North American free trade agreement. Students in this intensive course, led by Faculty of Environmental & Urban Change (EUC) Professor Anna Zalik, spend a week studying with peers at the National Autonomous University of Mexico in Mexico City and reconvened the following week at 91亚色 U.

鈥淚t鈥檚 an opportunity to be in a university in another country and see what their system is like,鈥� says Taran.

Taran loves both travelling and learning. Once her children were grown, she earned a second bachelor鈥檚 degree at Glendon College. Next came a master鈥檚 degree in international development studies, which led her to apply for the PhD program in human geography.

鈥淚鈥檓 living my second youth,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 love to study and to be active, and I鈥檒l continue as long as life permits me.鈥�

Kaston, who is retired, is finishing her bachelor鈥檚 degree in environmental sustainability. She decided that a course at 91亚色 U鈥檚 EcoCampus would be a wonderful end to her undergraduate studies.

Years earlier, career opportunities lured Kaston away from her university studies, so she is fulfilling her long-term goal now by earning a degree. In fact, she has enjoyed the experience so much that she is continuing on to a master鈥檚 program in environmental science this fall.

鈥淓nvironmental sustainability has been a passion of mine for a long time,鈥� she says, 鈥渁nd when I found the 91亚色 program, I decided to go full on.鈥�

Kaston registered for a course called Conservation and Development for Social-Environmental Sustainability and Wellbeing, led by EUC professor and Las Nubes director Felipe Montoya. The course explores the ways Costa Rica is succeeding with sustainable development.

鈥淚 want to see what these initiatives that we read about really look like on the ground,鈥� Kaston says.

Smith, who retired from 91亚色 U last year as director of institutional planning, began taking language courses prior to retirement. This summer, he embarked on an intensive course in Mandarin 鈥� Intermediate Chinese Language and Culture in China: Shanghai as an International and Chinese Centre 鈥� taught by Assistant Professor Gang Pan in the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies. It brought him to China at the end of May.

鈥淚鈥檓 fascinated by how people in other countries do the same things in different and often surprising ways,鈥� he says.

To help support his trip, Smith received a $2,000 award from the Government of Canada鈥檚 Outbound Student Mobility Pilot Program Global Skills Opportunity (GSO). The funding is meant to offset the cost of travel while increasing the participation of under-represented groups in international learning opportunities.

Smith and 10 of his classmates studied at Fudan University in Shanghai for a month, lived in the residences there and ate in the dining hall. Their course was intensive, with five hours of language classes daily, but the month-long session ended with a five-day trip to the cities of Suzhou, Hangzhou and Nanjing, as well as the Shaolin monastery (the birthplace of Buddhism) and the countryside of Zhejiang Province to experience first-hand the culture, history and landscapes 鈥� and put their language skills to the ultimate test.

鈥淚鈥檝e been dropped into cities with a different language before,鈥� Smith says, 鈥渂ut here, it may be hard to find English speakers, so I鈥檒l pretty much have to rely on my Chinese.鈥�

Ashley Laracy, associate director of global learning for 91亚色 International, urges students of all ages to follow in the footsteps of these mature students.

鈥淔aculty-led study abroad programs create a supportive space for students to travel abroad with a group of their known peers,鈥� she says. 鈥淲e鈥檙e excited to see the diversity of our student population reflected in our global learning programs. Our Global Engagement Strategy outlines 91亚色鈥檚 commitment to building and facilitating opportunities that are inclusive and accessible to our students. Global learning is lifelong learning.鈥�

This summer, 91亚色 has more than 300 students abroad as part of faculty-led programs. With the help of the GSO funding, the University has been able to increase its participation levels in summer study abroad initiatives, with more than 220 participating students receiving financial support towards their global learning.

For more information about 91亚色 faculty-led abroad opportunities, contact聽yuabroad@yorku.ca.

Originally published in YFile.

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Manalo noted academic connections between 91亚色 and Philippine educational and government institutions that strengthen bilateral relations  

91亚色 and the Philippines have developed a deep-rooted relationship that鈥檚 鈥渕utually beneficial,鈥� the Philippines Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo said during his visit to the University鈥檚 Keele campus on Friday, May 10, 2024.

Manalo stopped by 91亚色 on the last day of his Canadian trip, to meet with members of 91亚色鈥檚 leadership and faculty researchers with a strong interest in the Philippines and its diaspora. He was accompanied by the country鈥檚 top diplomats to Canada, including Ambassador Maria Andrelita Austria; Assistant Secretary Jose Victor Chan-Gonzaga, Office of American Affairs, Department of Foreign Affairs; and Toronto Consul General Angelica Escalona.

Coinciding with the Asian Heritage Month events held at 91亚色, the meeting was facilitated by 91亚色 International鈥檚 Helen Balderama, director of global engagement and partnership.

鈥淎cademic linkages facilitate cooperation that strengthens the bilateral relations between the Philippines and Canada,鈥� Manalo told the attendees, including academics who are part of the Philippine Studies Group (PSG) at 91亚色 Centre for Asian Research.

鈥淲e note the active engagements between 91亚色 and Philippine educational and government institutions,鈥� said Manalo, highlighting his country鈥檚 appreciation for PSG鈥檚 research programs and projects, conducted with funding support from the Philippines government.

鈥�91亚色 is committed to further developing strategic partnerships in the Philippines and the Filipino community in Canada that are multi-layered and multi-disciplinary,鈥� Provost and Vice-President Academic Lisa Philipps said. Philipps noted that her recent visit to the Philippines, as part of the Universities Canada Partnership Mission, offered an insight into the opportunities available for research collaborations and partnerships.

In fact, the discussions Philipps had with government officials around 91亚色鈥檚 leadership in disaster and emergency management (DEM) research led to Professors  and  visiting the Pacific nation 鈥� ranked among the most disaster-prone countries in the world 鈥�  with its Civil Defense Training Institute.

Kennedy and Asgary, who are the associate directors of 91亚色 Emergency Mitigation, Engagement, Response, & Governance Institute, shared their experience interacting with researchers at the University of the Philippines as well as visiting active volcano sites during their recent visit to the Pacific nation. 

Kennedy said the Philippines Office of Civil Defense personnel have been invited to 91亚色 for training and collaboration, as well as to explore experiential education opportunities for students in DEM programs, including internships and placements in the Philippines.

Dance Professor  who had accompanied Philipps on the trip, highlighted his positive experience engaging in partnership meetings to launch the course, 鈥淧hilippine Folk Dance and Culture.鈥� He said nearly a dozen students have enrolled in his innovative  that begins later this month in the Philippines. The course is offered by 91亚色鈥檚 School of the Arts, Media, Performance and Design in partnership with the University of the Philippines and other Philippine institutions. Alcedo said the course will be a window into the rich culture and traditions of the Philippines through immersive experience and will be offered to external participants in the future.

Visual art and art history Professor  said her upcoming book, funded by the PSG, will be first of its kind on Filipino Canadian contemporary art published in Canada. The book, currently in manuscript stage, examines the practices and oral histories of four Filipino Canadian visual artists and their decolonial diaspora esthetics, while analyzing what it means to be a diasporic person amid a Eurocentric society.

Equity studies Professor , whose research focus includes post-disaster recovery, climate change adaptation and climate change-induced mobility in the Philippines and the Filipino community in Canada, was among the researchers present at the meeting. She told the group that more than $500,000 of a new grant for an international research study in Africa and Asia will be allocated to research in the Philippines. Su, who is a co-principal investigator on the grant noted that the fund will be used to hire researchers, invest in local communities and build capacity for research and climate change adaptation.

Professor , interim dean of the Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change who is credited with establishing 91亚色鈥檚 earliest research partnership with the Philippines, in 2007, highlighted that a large number of 91亚色 students are drawn from recent immigrant communities, including the Filipino community, which is also one of the fastest growing diasporas in the country. He said 91亚色 also has attracted many faculty members of Philippine origin and that led to the creation of the PSG at 91亚色.

Kelly offered an overview of the group鈥檚 work, highlighting current projects of a few Philippine researchers 鈥� both faculty and students鈥� fostering cultural understanding through the arts and humanities. He noted that the research spans disciplines across the University, including history Professor聽鈥檚 research on the commonalities between Indigenous cultures and communities of Canada and the Philippines; and politics Professor聽鈥檚 research studying labour activism in the Filipino diaspora.聽

At the end of the presentation, Philipps thanked Manalo and his colleagues for making the stop at 91亚色 to meet in person with 91亚色 researchers. 鈥淲e are excited to participate in the 75th anniversary celebrations of Philippines-Canada diplomatic relations, hosting several related events at 91亚色 this year.鈥�

Among the 91亚色 events planned around the 75th anniversary鈥檚 theme 鈥淏uilding Bridges, Celebrating Connections,鈥� are a panel discussion of Filipino-Canadian community and thought leaders concerning Filipino immigrant successes and barriers in Canadian labour markets, and a diaspora film festival, both planned for Fall 2024.

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Professor Brandon Vickerd, a sculptor, as well as theatre and performance artist Laura Levin, director of Sensorium 鈥� a 91亚色 research centre for digital arts and technology 鈥� are leading a group of 25 students in research centred on the Alexander Skutch Biological Corridor preserve and communities near Las Nubes.

The course focuses on developing research methodologies and strategies for building community-driven, site-oriented, collaborative approaches to art production.

鈥淐urrent studio courses focus on students鈥� artistic skills and don鈥檛 teach them how to go to a community, make connections and respond to the reality of the environment, the politics and the institutions while producing meaningful works,鈥� said Vickerd. 鈥淭his residency-based course provides such an opportunity.鈥�

The students are living with families in the local villages, two per home, and taking part in a curated, daily schedule of activities and exploration. Their experience began in San Jos茅, Costa Rica鈥檚 capital, with two days of visiting theatre companies and museums before travelling to Las Nubes. Once there, they were able to get a sense of the landscape, the people, the economy and politics.

鈥淭hey will engage with the larger questions of the course in a site-specific way,鈥� Levin said. 鈥淭hey鈥檒l visit local farms, and 鈥� informed by their readings on food sovereignty 鈥� they鈥檒l learn first-hand about the challenges of individuals running small farms in the global food system. 

鈥淲e鈥檒l also travel to an Indigenous village that is the home of the Boruca people, a group that has developed over time an intricate mask-making tradition and a youth theatre company that imaginatively incorporates those masks. There will be a lot of hands-on engagement with cultural producers.鈥�

One of the students鈥� other major tasks is to assist with producing ExpoCOBAS, an annual festival organized by the local community designed to celebrate and consolidate identity around the Alexander Skutch Biological Corridor. It鈥檚 an exercise that will include everything from making pi帽atas to putting on a student art showcase to brainstorming about activities that will engage young people.

鈥淭here are important lessons we鈥檇 like our students to absorb,鈥� said Vickerd of the residency鈥檚 goals. 鈥淲e want to show them that they can engage with the environment in a variety of ways. We also want them to understand what it means to engage ethically with a community and collaborate, to engage in social action. They need to understand what鈥檚 important about a culture and how they can contribute with support and understanding, meaningfully adding to its health.鈥�

Levin noted that some students had never travelled to Latin America before undertaking this residency, offering an additional opportunity for some.

鈥淲e want them to learn what it means for artists not to be tourists and how to negotiate their experiences in a thoughtful way, rather than viewing the community as a spectacle to be consumed,鈥� Levin said.

Vickerd and Levin are providing the students with creative prompts and exercises to help them engage with the unique landscape, such as participating in outdoor classes or hiking in the rainforest.

鈥淭hey won鈥檛 be able to sit back,鈥� said Vickerd. 鈥淭his course is about engagement.鈥�

Po Kuen Cheung, a graphic designer and mature visual art and art history student who is studying part time for a degree, is one of the students registered for the intensive Las Nubes course.

鈥淚 want to explore the wonderful world of art when I retire, and when I saw the Costa Rica course, it matched exactly what I want to do 鈥� explore what happens elsewhere,鈥� said Cheung. 鈥淚t will be an experience of a lifetime.鈥�

Once he and his fellow students return home, they will have the opportunity to reflect on the experience and translate it into either an essay or artistic output.

鈥淭his experience allows them to think about how to explore and explain the world in a different way,鈥� Vickerd said.

Their responses, whatever form they take, will enrich the understanding of others, giving what they鈥檝e learned a broader impact.

Originally published in YFile.

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TORONTO, Jan. 23, 2023 鈥� Renewed relationships, new collaborations, future engagement opportunities are just some of the results of 91亚色鈥檚 recent delegation to India, aside from increased awareness about the University and its global engagement.

The two-week trip included meetings with strategic partners, high school counsellors, alumni, government officials and media, and exploratory conversations with potential partners in the South Asian country.

The India mission was part of 91亚色鈥檚 revitalized vision, Engaging the World: 91亚色鈥檚 Internationalization and Global Engagement Strategy, 2022-2027, to bring greater focus, cooperation and prioritization to the university鈥檚 internationalization efforts as highlighted in the University Academic Plan 2020-2025.

鈥淥ur partnerships in India are very important to us, and we were eager to explore how we can continue to support access, excellence, connectedness and impact in higher education through enhanced collaboration,鈥� said President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda Lenton. 鈥淕iven the increasing complexity of global problems, partnering across borders with leading institutional partners who share our values is key to sharing knowledge, skills and resources for the betterment of all鈥�.

O.P. Jindal Global University (JGU) and its Vice Chancellor Professor  facilitated parts of the trip that kicked off with signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for student mobility between 91亚色 and JGU, which is located near Delhi, in Sonipat. Developing programs for student and faculty exchange, summer abroad and dual degrees as well as establishing collaborative research projects are also in the works.

Professor Kumar, who recognizes 91亚色 as an early mover in the Indian higher education system鈥檚 foreign institution landscape, facilitated conversations with diverse higher education stakeholders across India.

These interactions also came at a time when the government of India removed restrictions preventing world class universities from offering education programs to its growing youth population, the largest in the world.

91亚色鈥檚 president Lenton was accompanied by the deans for , Liberal Arts & Professional Studies, and Science; 鈥檚 associate dean for research; associate dean for programs at the ; associate vice president for alumni engagement; and an associate director from . 

91亚色鈥檚 leadership visit also attracted significant media attention, since the delegation was in India during heightened diplomatic tensions between the two countries.

Members of Indian media centred their questions around how current and future students may be affected by the situation. In response, Lenton highlighted Canada as one of the safest countries in the world that values diversity and continues to attract large number of immigrants from the Indo-Pacific region.

鈥淐anada is an incredibly welcoming multicultural, inclusive, safe society that values higher education. In fact, Canada鈥檚 university education system is one of the country鈥檚 best resources because no matter what university you go to, you are going to receive a high quality education,鈥� assured Lenton, including in an exclusive interview to the  .

鈥淲e help students connect with each other and build a strong network and community in Canada. 91亚色 is unwavering in the support for our diverse and inclusive community,鈥� Lenton told the . 鈥淲e continue to welcome students from all over the world, including India, and provide a supportive environment for all international students, both current and those planning to come to study at 91亚色. We look forward to welcoming them to our community.鈥� 

91亚色 representatives met with Hon. M.C. Sudhakar, Karnataka鈥檚 minister of higher education, Hon. Palanivel Thiagarajan, Tamil Nadu鈥檚 minister of information technology and digital service, and Sanjay Murthy, the Government of India鈥檚 higher education secretary, to better understand how regional and national governments are facilitating international higher education collaborations.  

Internationalization has long been a part of 91亚色鈥檚 identity since it was founded in 1959 and is a defining feature of our community. The University has been delivering business programs in the country since 2009 and established an India Advisory Council consisting of top Indian business leaders to ensure its programs address the growing needs of India鈥檚 economy, Lenton told reporters during press conferences in various cities.  

JGU hosted education conclaves in Bangalore, Chennai, Delhi and Kolkata, where Lenton highlighted the initiatives that are in the pipeline, in her remarks on the theme of 鈥淚ndia-Canada Higher Education Partnership: In Pursuit of Excellence, Inclusion and Empowerment.鈥� Those in attendance included hundreds of educators from high schools and universities and think-tanks. Attendees were encouraged to ask questions about how 91亚色鈥檚 presence in India might help their students in pursuing studies in Canada, particularly at 91亚色.

The university also hosted some of its first alumni events in cities across India, attended by hundreds of professionals who call 91亚色 their alma mater.

During the trip, delegates visited 91亚色鈥檚 campus in Hyderabad to exchange academic ideas and learn about the experience of students enrolled in the University鈥檚 India MBA as well as other programs offered by the Schulich School of Business in collaboration with GMR Group.

In all, the deans visited six cities in as many states, and engaged in discussions with their Indian counterparts to explore opportunities for two-way student exchange programs and research partnerships, and to firm up institutional collaborations. The delegates met or visited representatives from 聽听(叠别苍驳补濒耻谤耻);听听(颁丑别苍苍补颈);听听(顿别濒丑颈);听听(贬测诲别谤补产补诲);听聽 (Kolkata);聽聽(Bengaluru), the聽听(颁丑别苍苍补颈),听听(础蝉蝉补尘),听聽(Mumbai) and the聽聽(Delhi) and the聽聽(Delhi). 聽During the visit to the聽, with which 91亚色聽recently launched聽a collaboration on disease modelling, 91亚色 delegates met with Nadir Godrej-91亚色 India Advisory Council Member and FMR Trustee- and FMR researchers.聽

91亚色 also made significant announcements that will increase cooperation with countries like India, including the launch of the Global Research Excellence Fund that will seed research collaborations with leading and diverse global partners to drive research excellence at 91亚色.  颅

Another important announcement focused on experiential learning and pathway programs to support entrepreneurship-related education with India, by building on the success of the Schulich School of Business鈥檚聽. This partnership would see 91亚色 students travel to India to learn about its dynamic innovation ecosystems, and access other unique educational opportunities in a country that is home to 1.5 billion people.

Originally published in News@91亚色

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鈥淚nternational Education Week is an opportunity to celebrate the benefits of international education and cultural and academic exchange worldwide,鈥� said Vinitha Gengatharan, assistant vice-president, global engagement and partnerships, 91亚色 International.

鈥淢ore than ever, we need to learn from, share with and understand and dialogue across cultures and differences and address global challenges,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he month-long events and activities at 91亚色 serve to remind our community of the importance of, and to share with, the 91亚色 community, particularly our students, the many opportunities to broaden their perspectives and how the University continues to support a key pillar of the University Academic Plan: advancing global engagement.鈥� 

The celebrations began with 91亚色 International鈥檚 annual Global Learning Fair on Nov. 2. 91亚色 International exchange students, global partners Brunel University London, U.K., and the Obama Institute at Johannes Gutenberg-Universit盲t in Mainz, Germany, as well representatives from the Faculties of Science and Liberal Arts & Professional Studies (LA&PS), joined forces to spread the word about the various study and work abroad opportunities available to students. The in-person fair was followed by two virtual sessions featuring representatives from 91亚色鈥檚 global partners in more than 20 countries worldwide. The Global Learning team is  academic year abroad.

The Glendon and Keele campuses were buzzing on Nov. 5 (Glendon) and Nov. 19 (Keele) with prospective students and their parents who were interested in learning more about 91亚色 and all it has to offer. 91亚色 International took part, sharing information about study and work abroad opportunities, virtual projects such as the  and the  and global engagement programs. Since 91亚色 International鈥檚 work is supported by the student community, the team also discussed the variety of volunteer and work-study roles available to 91亚色 students to assist in supporting new and current international students who study here.

91亚色 International鈥檚 student and scholar services team supports international student retention and success by offering non-academic programs and services on campus. The team鈥檚 November calendar offered a variety of workshops to support students with their study permit questions and pathways to permanent residency. The team also hosted a Q-and-A with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada representatives and provided virtual and in-person support to Iranian students experiencing ongoing hardship. The team launched its International Student Experience newsletter to pan-University partners to better streamline communication about programs, supports and services for the University鈥檚 international students, and to further educate partners on the international student experience.

International Education Week coincided with the Canadian Bureau of International Education (CBIE) annual conference in Toronto this year. Representatives from the Faculties of Science, LA&PS and 91亚色 International attended the conference to learn about best practices and share knowledge and expertise. The delegation also accepted, on behalf of 91亚色, the , demonstrating its outstanding achievement in championing innovative and inclusive international education programming that engages Faculties, students and global partners.  

91亚色 hosted the second  on Nov. 17. This year鈥檚 discussions were guided by three themes: Connecting the Local and Global Classrooms; Sustainable and Inclusive Global Learning; and Local and Global Community Engagement, with Gender, Education for Sustainable Development and Inclusivity. There were more than 450 speakers and participants from 59 countries.

Throughout the month, 91亚色 International welcomed global partners to campus to discuss future collaborations and exchanges. From Nov. 6 to 12, colleagues from the Universidad del Magdalena, Colombia met with professors and students. (The Universidad del Magdalena is a  partner, and through this consortium, there is funding available for students participating in Faculty-led programs and research internships at the institution.)

On Nov. 21 and 22, 91亚色鈥檚  representative, Agnes Poleszczuk, and 91亚色 International hosted the coordinator of the Rh么ne-Alpes, France (ORA) program based in Lyon, France. They engaged with faculty, staff and students in discussions about the funding that is available for exchanges, summer research and language programs in France. On Nov. 21, a  was signed led by the Philippine Studies Group at 91亚色 Centre for Asian Research and with the support three 91亚色 Faculties.

To find ways to continue exploring the complex issues that have been the subject matter of the diverse courses offered by the  in Costa Rica, Ana Maria Martinez, the EcoCampus associate director, with colleagues from the Faculties of Environmental and Urban Change and Health, created the .  On Nov. 23, the Grounded Project hosted the premiere of their third documentary, . The documentary explores Indigenous persistence in their homelands after more than 500 years of colonialism. It recounts struggles in Costa Rica for Indigenous rights to land, to self-governance and autonomy. Following the screening, the audience enjoyed a panel discussion featuring Gilbert Gonz谩lez Maroto, Indigenous Elder and executive director of the Centre for Indigenous Development (CEDIN, a Costa Rican NGO), Assistant Professor Jos茅 Miguel Gonzalez P茅rez (LA&PS), Faculty of Environmental & Urban Change (EUC) Assistant Professor Martha Stiegman, Felipe Montoya, EUC professor and Chair of Neotropical Conservation and the director of the Las Nubes Project.

Visit the  to learn more about international education opportunities.

Originally published in YFile

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When Brittney Remnant was invited to introduce two Canada Gairdner International laureates to an audience of high school students visiting 91亚色 to hear their lectures on Oct. 28, she was excited.

鈥淚 ran to the principal investigator in my lab and asked, 鈥業s this real?鈥�" said Remnant, a fourth-year honours biomedical science student at 91亚色. 鈥淭he Gairdner Awards are kind of a big deal.鈥�

罢丑别听聽are Canada鈥檚 only major international scientific prize. Twenty-four per cent of the 402 recipients have gone on to be awarded a Nobel Prize. Awards have been given out since 1957. Today, the Gairdner Foundation awards seven awards annually, which include five Canada Gairdner International Awards for biomedical research, the John Dirks Canada Gairdner Global Health Award and the Canada Gairdner Wightman Award.

鈥�91亚色 has been part of the official Gairdner celebrations for more than a decade,鈥� noted Ronald Pearlman, 91亚色 professor emeritus and former associate scientific director for the awards program. Pearlman was instrumental in expanding the high school program nationwide.

Gairdner awardees, chosen by two separate juries of experts, travel across Canada, presenting research seminars and doing outreach to inspire future generations of scientists. After participating in online events during the pandemic, the laureates were able to engage with students and researchers in person this fall.

The Gairdner Foundation organized a series of events, 鈥淕airdner Week鈥� in the GTA. The Gairdner Day at 91亚色, the University鈥檚 most prestigious science event, is co-organized by 91亚色 and the Gairdner Foundation. 91亚色 students, faculty and staff had the opportunity to participate in Gairdner Day events on campus, and other Gairdner Week events off campus. The University鈥檚 Gairdner participation in celebrating the success of the laureates reflects a commitment to Access to Success 鈥� one of six priorites laid out in 91亚色's University Academic Plan 鈥� supporting students to reach their full potential, research-intensification and internationalization. 

鈥�91亚色 hosts a two-pronged program,鈥� said Pearlman. He worked with Jennifer Steeves, associate vice-president, research, and Barbara Edwards, senior policy advisor from the Office of the Vice-President, Research & Innovation, to arrange the Gairdner day events.

鈥淭he laureates talk to high school students in the morning, sharing the stories about why they got into science and how they chose their particular research topic. In the afternoon, there is the 91亚色 Gairdner lecture, where the laureates talk to faculty and research trainees about their research. In between, we have a small luncheon hosted by the president where select students and faculty get a chance to meet the laureates.鈥�

This year, the high school students enjoyed talks by  David G. Nathan Distinguished Professor of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School and Dana-Farber/Boston Children鈥檚 Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, and , senior vice-president RNA Protein Replacement Therapies, BioNTech SE. The laureates have each made transformational contributions to improve human health. Karik贸鈥檚 work, for example, formed the basis for the mRNA vaccines used to prevent COVID-19 infections.

鈥淚t was a spectacular experience,鈥� said Remnant. 鈥淚 arrived early, and Dr. Pearlman introduced me to the laureates; I also went to lunch with them afterward and to the afternoon lectures. When you are in a scientific field, you do science because you love it, and it was nice to see that reflected by scientists at such a high level. They are doing spectacular things to make a difference and are so down to Earth; they don鈥檛 do science for fancy awards.鈥�

Kate Duncan, senior planner, on-campus recruitment and events, organizes the high school program. It brings approximately 300 Grade 11 and 12 students from seven schools across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) to campus along with their biology teachers.

鈥淚t鈥檚 great because it exposes the students to different science pathways beyond medicine,鈥� Duncan said. 鈥淭he scientists talk about their careers and the challenges they overcame; their general messages are really important for that age group.鈥�

At the 91亚色 Gairdner lecture, faculty and research trainees heard from Karik贸 and , the Canada Research Chair in Stem Cell Biology at the University of Toronto and senior scientist at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre.

Yanan Shan, a 91亚色 PhD student in women鈥檚 reproductive health, attended the afternoon program and said, 鈥淭he two professors gave brilliant talks, and the talk by Katalin Karik贸 inspired me a lot. 鈥� The idea to use modified mRNA for carrying information in vaccines to induce an immune response in the body was very advanced 30 years ago, but she must face a lot of questions and challenges in her study.

鈥淚 think it is a great honour and precious opportunity for me to attend this lecture on campus.鈥�

Nilanjuli Ganguli, a 91亚色 PhD student in environmental studies, was selected to attend another of the Gairdner Week events, a luncheon with the laureates off-campus. She sat with , winner of the John Dirks Canada Gairdner Global Health Award for his work on improving maternal and child health and nutrition among marginalized and rural populations in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.

鈥淭o meet someone doing work that is having a global impact is quite meaningful and inspiring,鈥� said Ganguli. 鈥淵ou often think that one person can鈥檛 make a change, but if you are smart and strategic about your means and goals, you can make it happen.鈥�

Bhutta gave her his card, and Ganguli, whose research is also based in rural Africa, plans to reach out to him for mentorship.

91亚色 Gairdner Day, along with Gairdner Week events, were designed to inspire future laureates at 91亚色 and GTA high schools.

Originally published in YFile

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