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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It also reflects the University鈥檚 commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, by contributing to students鈥� overall mental health and resilience; SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, by promoting intercultural understanding and dialogue; and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goal, by emphasizing the importance of global partnerships in achieving sustainable development. 

鈥淢any students found the pandemic stressful because they were stuck at home and their opportunities for international exchange were curtailed,鈥� Chen said. 鈥淎lthough I was relatively new to 91亚色, I was experienced in international education and knew the benefits of GNL, or COIL-VE, as it is often called.  

鈥淭he Faculty of Science hadn鈥檛 tried GNL previously, but I want to be an innovator and decided to facilitate some cross-cultural communication.鈥� 

With support from 91亚色 International, the office that supports GNL initiatives at 91亚色, Chen reached out to Xin Wang, an associate professor at Northeastern University in Shenyang, China. The duo, and an administrative colleague there, agreed to organize a series of Zoom sessions to bring students from 91亚色鈥檚 Faculty of Science together with students from Northeastern鈥檚 School of Information Science & Engineering to increase intercultural understanding.  

At 91亚色, Chen invited members of the group Global Leaders of 91亚色 Science (GLYS) to participate. GLYS is a volunteer team that works closely with Chen鈥檚 office to support the Faculty鈥檚 international initiatives, provide undergraduate students with professional development opportunities to enhance their employability skills and help them develop a global mindset. A total of 35 GLYS members and Northeastern students took part in the initial cross-cultural sessions. They began with an international coffee chat over Zoom in November 2021.聽

鈥淢y objective was to have them meet and talk about their own experiences,鈥� said Chen, who is a certified sociocultural competency training facilitator. 鈥淭he important thing was to build understanding and exposure around different cultures.鈥� 

A joint organizing committee comprising students from both universities created a series of virtual sessions, each lasting an hour and a half. The topics they chose included a comparison of their education systems; mental health, including pandemic challenges; artificial intelligence; and the opportunities and risks of globalization. Of course, there was also informal discussion about their favourite books and music, hobbies and interests. 

鈥淚 suggested ideas, provided advice and was there to facilitate their conversations,鈥� said Chen. 

After each session, he and his Northeastern colleagues asked students to provide feedback and suggest potential improvements.  

鈥淭his was an opportunity to broaden their world views without a huge cost,鈥� said Chen. 鈥淣ot all students can afford to travel abroad, so this makes international opportunities accessible and inclusive. Having such an experience may also encourage students to study or travel abroad later. There are benefits to exploring different perspectives and this project opens the door to those possibilities.鈥� 

The success of the program was apparent in the comments students provided on their post-GNL surveys. 

鈥淓ngaging with students from different countries was enlightening,鈥� wrote one student. 鈥淚t鈥檚 fascinating to see how our approaches to science and education differ and, yet, how much we can learn from each other.鈥� 

Another student added, 鈥淭his program opened my eyes to different cultural perspectives and has given me friends from across the globe. I鈥檓 still in touch with my group members and we often discuss our academic and personal life.鈥� 

Since 2021, Chen and his colleagues in China have run the program annually, with participants drawn primarily from GLYS. The composition of the group changes each time, with a mix of returning and new participants, and it continues to be popular. 

鈥淥ne of the program鈥檚 most gratifying outcomes has been the formation of ongoing relationships and friendships among the participants that have transcended the program鈥檚 duration,鈥� said Chen. 鈥淭his speaks to the depth of the students鈥� engagement and the program鈥檚 success in forming meaningful international ties.  

鈥淲e also hope the students will choose 91亚色 for their further studies.鈥澛�

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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TORONTO, Sept. 12, 2023 鈥� A 91亚色-led program is helping bolster health care in the Global South by providing more than $5.8 million in funding for 16 projects in as many countries, including polio surveillance in Ethiopia and helping Indigenous communities in the Philippines.

鈥淲e have led the call to strengthen the health-care system in low- and medium-income countries (LMIC) in the Global South for more than a year now,鈥� says 91亚色 Assistant Professor , executive director of the  (AI4PEP). Originally from Cameroon, Kong understands the strains faced by health-care systems in LMIC and the importance of southern-led solutions.

鈥淔unding these projects will help strengthen capacity and support prevention, early detection, preparedness, mitigation and control of emerging or re-emerging infectious disease outbreaks in LMIC countries in Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean and the Middle East, which, as we know, can make their way to every country in the world.鈥�

Incidents of disease outbreaks are expected to increase in severity and frequency as more viruses, bacteria and parasites jump from animals to people.

AI4PEP received $7.25 million in funding from the International Development Research Centre in 2022 to develop a multi-regional, interdisciplinary network to use AI and big data to improve public health preparedness and response, and promote equitable and ethical solutions.

After a recent call for proposals, the team received 221 submissions from 47 countries with 142 of them from Africa, 40 from Asia, 26 from Latin America. The overall program framework centers around a gender, equity, inclusion and decolonization lens.

鈥淎I4PEP at 91亚色 is deepening the understanding of how equitable and responsibly designed artificial intelligence can lead to southern-led solutions to strengthen public health-care systems in the Global South,鈥� says Vinitha Gengatharan, assistant vice-president, global engagement and partnerships. 鈥淭his is just the start of a growing, multi-regional network to improve and strengthen public health preparedness and response to disease outbreaks that can make a real difference in the lives of people.鈥�

The projects are led by universities in collaboration with health-care system stakeholders in 16 regions of the Global South. They include AI and modelling for community-based detection of zoonotic disease with increasing climate change in Senegal; a Foundation for Medical Research-University of Mumbai project; an AI-powered early detection system for communicable respiratory diseases based on integrated data sets at Wits University in South Africa; an Al-Quds University project; and an AI and eco-epidemiology-based early warning systems to improve public health response to mosquito-borne viruses in the Dominican Republic.聽.

鈥淭he funding for our project, named AutoAI-Pandemics, will enable the development of a cutting-edge and user-friendly platform, driven by responsible artificial intelligence practices, to deal with the challenges of infectious diseases, in particular, control of epidemics and pandemics. Current advances in artificial intelligence have resulted in robust solutions for epidemiological analysis, bioinformatics, and misinformation detection, while actively combating biases and ensuring fairness,鈥� says Professor Andr茅 C. Ponce de Leon F. de Carvalho of the Institute of Mathematics and Computer Sciences, University of S茫o Paulo at S茫o Carlos, Brazil.

鈥淭hanks to this funding, we have the opportunity to contribute to the efforts to fight epidemics and improve human health. By collectively fortifying our defenses against infectious diseases, we can make a lasting impact on global health with increasing equity and equality. We also believe that this research will bring relevant scientific contributions in the areas of artificial intelligence and bioinformatics.鈥�

As diseases increasingly spreading from animals to people with continued human encroachment into natural landscapes, AI4PEP鈥檚 One Health concept is designed to recognize and respond to the reality that human health is interdependent with the health of animals and the environment. Climate change is another huge factor.

鈥淐limate change is exacerbating existing health and social inequities by increasing the vulnerability of climate hotspots to the emergence and re-emergence of many infectious diseases, such as malaria, dengue fever and zika,鈥� says Associate Professor  of the Faculty of Liberal Arts and Professional Studies. 鈥淭his is a huge initiative, but with the support of many of 91亚色鈥檚 research institutes, including the 91亚色 Emergency Mitigation, Engagement, Response and Governance Institute directed by Distinguished Research Professor , as well as CIFAL and the Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research, I believe we can all collaborate with this exceptional global network to respond to the increasing threat of infectious diseases.鈥�

AI solutions and data science approaches are increasingly being used across the globe to identify risks, conduct predictive modelling, and provide evidence-based recommendations for public health policy and action. 

鈥淩esponding to the complex nature of these interactions in a timely way requires the ability to analyze large data sets across multiple sectors,鈥� says Kong of the Faculty of Science and director of the Africa-Canada Artificial Intelligence and Data Innovation Consortium.

But even with the promised good of these innovative tools to improve public health outcomes, the team recognizes there are important ethical, legal, and social implications that, if not appropriately managed and governed, can translate into significant risks to individuals and populations. AI4PEP intends to deepen the understanding of designing responsible AI solutions.

鈥淩esponsible AI entails intentional design to enhance health equity and gender equality and avoid amplifying existing inequalities and biases. We are working toward the realization of the United Nation鈥檚 Sustainable Development Goals, in particular, three and five 鈥� good health and well-being, and gender equality,鈥� says Kong. 鈥淐olonialism and gendered oppression have enduring effects, disproportionately impacting the health and quality of life of formerly colonized people and vulnerable groups, including women, gender non-conforming people, people with disabilities, rural communities, and low-income households.鈥�

Projects within the initiative will work closely with governments, public health agencies, civil society and others to generate new knowledge and collaborations to inform practice and policies at subnational, national, regional and global levels.聽

Originally published in News@91亚色.

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鈥淢uch of the growth has been due to the efforts of our EE staff and faculty members in establishing connections and proper channels for support and feedback, such as creating our EE Advisory Committee and connecting with the YU Experience Hub,  and YSpace. We also built a partnership with ,鈥� said Michael Scheid, associate dean of students in the Faculty of Science.

EE opportunities through the Faculty allow students to deepen their learning and apply theories learned in the classroom to hands-on, paid work experiences. These opportunities consist of co-ops, which allow students to alternate between periods of work experiences and periods of study, and internships, which offer students, who have completed their third year, to start a work placement for four to 16 months before returning to school to finish their degree.

Three students share highlights of the program鈥檚 ability to provide a positive and excellent way to learn new technical and collaboration skills, to gain work experience and to expand professional networks.

Wania Khan
Biomedical science student Wania Khan is participating in a one-year internship at Sanofi, a health-care and pharmaceutical company, on the Bioprocess Research and Development team, where she is assisting with experiments as part of a vaccine research project.

鈥淭he most important learning skill I gained is dexterity, where I was able to take samples directly from fermenters using a syringe while also focusing on clamping and unclamping various tubes without contaminating the culture inside the fermenter promptly,鈥� she said. 鈥淭his experiential education opportunity has helped me gain new networks and friendships, i.e. working closely with scientists, technicians and other co-ops from different universities and educational backgrounds.鈥�

Alexandria Nelson
Biomedical science student Alexandria Nelson is participating in a one-year co-op placement in the quality control stability department at Sanofi. Her responsibilities include handling and managing vaccine inventory and assisting with data analysis.

鈥淪o far, my placement has been helpful in understanding what the vaccine manufacturing process is like, which has been even more insightful considering the demand for vaccines throughout the pandemic,鈥� said Nelson. 鈥淚鈥檝e also enjoyed getting to know my co-workers and how their career paths have unfolded. I鈥檝e learned that my journey may not be linear, but there will always be opportunities for growth in whatever I choose to pursue.鈥�

Yibin Zheng
Statistics student聽Yibin Zheng聽is participating in a research internship in the Department of Applied Mathematics at Hong Kong Polytechnic University. As a research intern, he is responsible for using the Bayesian statistics theory to work with R, a programming language, and help solve statistical problems.

鈥淒uring this internship, I have enhanced my ability to collaborate with others as a team, such as organizing and distributing research chapters, and conducting discussions,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 believe this will be very helpful for my future career.鈥�

Students can learn more about the Faculty of Science鈥檚 EE opportunities at聽yorku.ca/science/students/experiential-education.

Originally published in YFile.

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In late April, the University hosted a delegation of South African university vice-chancellors and deputy vice-chancellors for research, the CEO of Universities South Africa and representatives from the country鈥檚 National Research Foundation.

The delegation was part of a much larger visit by South African research councils and South African universities to Toronto and Ottawa, organized by South Africa鈥檚 National Research Foundation (NRF) to deepen research collaborations with Canada鈥檚 research funding agencies and universities. 91亚色 kicked off the Toronto-leg of the visit when it hosted the delegation at the Keele campus.

This follows a visit in Fall 2022 by South Africa鈥檚 Member of Parliament and Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Buti Manamela. The deputy minister鈥檚 visit was facilitated by Higher Health South Africa with virtual participation from NRF and South African researchers.

鈥�91亚色 greatly values our partnerships in South Africa, and we were pleased to host the South African delegation last week, and the Honourable Buti Manamela last fall,鈥� says President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda Lenton. 鈥淓ngaging in global research and innovation, and elevating our global partnerships are priority areas outlined in our new Internationalization and Global Engagement Strategy and complement our Academic Plan 2020-2025 priorities. I look forward to seeing the research and innovations that can result from these important conversations, and how we can work together to drive positive change.鈥�  

NRF followed up on the deputy minister鈥檚 visit to continue exploring the possibility of a joint calls for research with 91亚色. Concurrently, NRF was also working with South African universities and other Canadian universities to develop a South Africa-Canada university research network.

During both visits to 91亚色, researchers from social sciences, humanities, engineering, health and sciences participated in the conversations, discussing opportunities for collaboration in space engineering, AI and society, water, decolonization, health equity, refugee studies, disaster management, planetary health and many other fields of mutual interest.

鈥淚 was happy to see the diversity of topics that are prime for collaboration鈥�, said Professor Amir Asif, vice-president research and innovation who co-hosted the April visit. 鈥�91亚色 professor Jude Kong鈥檚 timely, successful and collaborative leadership in building pandemic modelling networks with South Africa and other African countries with funding from both governments also made a strong impression on South African leaders.

 鈥淲e look forward to strengthening our existing collaborations and building new ones in South Africa.鈥�

During the April visit, 91亚色 colleagues also met with NRF leadership, where NRF reinforced their interest in developing a bilateral relationship with 91亚色.

鈥淚t is not often a G20 and BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) member government representing a country with enormous political, economic, cultural and scientific reach on a continent engages an overseas university to develop bilateral research partnerships,鈥� said Kong, who participated in all the meetings and is the executive director of the Africa-Canada Artificial Intelligence and Data Innovation Consortium. 鈥淥ther global funding agencies, universities and foundations will pay attention to this.鈥�

During consultations for 91亚色鈥檚 Internationalization and Global Engagement Strategy and conversations with Global South partners, a recurring theme in fostering north-south collaboration was the challenge in mobilizing resources for collaborations.

鈥�91亚色, like other Canadian universities, has benefited significantly from the contributions of our colleagues throughout Africa and from other parts of the Global South,鈥� said Lisa Philipps, provost and vice-president academic, who co-hosted the visit on April 24. 鈥淚nvesting in a relationship with South African institutions resonates with 91亚色 because we have common interests and strengths in advancing United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including commitments to anti-racism and decolonization frameworks.鈥�

91亚色鈥檚 connection to South Africa stretches back to the 1980s during the country鈥檚 anti-apartheid struggle. In 1989, 91亚色  an honorary doctor of laws degree upon Nelson Mandela in absentia 鈥渋n recognition of his profound contribution to humanity and the creation of a more just society.鈥� 91亚色 faculty have also worked to  Mandela鈥檚 legacy on campus.

Members of the 91亚色 community have also cultivated long-standing research connections of their own. 鈥淧rofessor Amrita Daftary holds an adjunct appointment at University of KwaZulu-Natal鈥檚 Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA) and has extensively co-published with her South African counterparts,鈥� said Vinitha Gengatharan, assistant vice-president global engagement and partnerships.

The April visit concluded with the launch of a binational universities research network by the South African universities and the government with support from many Canadian universities. This interest in partnering with Canadian universities is also the result of momentum generated through the efforts of Canada鈥檚 High Commission, funding councils and International Development Research Centre. Carleton University鈥檚 Professor David Hornsby was the Canadian architect of this network.  

鈥淎 well-resourced academic network can be invaluable and can address gaps in sustaining long-term binational academic cooperation,鈥� said Lenton. 鈥淲e hope that Canada will consider supporting such a network as part of its soon-to-be launched Africa strategy, and I am looking forward to visiting South Africa soon.鈥�

91亚色 university colleagues interested in deepening their engagement with South Africa and learning more should contact Skandha Sunderasen at 91亚色 International. 

Originally published in YFile

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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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91亚色 is launching a new scholarship program, which has been made possible thanks to a generous gift from an alumni family. The program will allow students to participate in diverse global learning opportunities, such as internships, academic exchanges, faculty-led programs, research abroad and seminars/conferences.

91亚色 alumni and life partners Hian Siang Chan and Paulina Lau, and their families, have created the  in honour of their strong personal and familial ties to the University. Chan, who is the CEO and the executive director of Singapore-based SP Chemicals Pte. Ltd., said their family is committed to creating positive global change and through this gift, they are hoping to encourage and support a similar ethos among 91亚色 students to .

鈥淭hrough our experience, we think this scholars program will provide students with an invaluable opportunity to study or work in a different country and environment. Experiencing the history and culture of another country and making new friends enrich their personal development,鈥� says Chan.

Adds Lau, 鈥淚nternational study or work abroad programs are also effective in challenging students to develop a global perspective. We are delighted to support students at 91亚色, our alma mater, as they embark on enriching experiences.鈥�

91亚色 students in the Lassonde School of Engineering, the Faculty of Science or the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies can apply to the program, which will begin in the Fall 2022 term. Criteria for selection include financial need, equity, diversity and inclusion, academic and professional merit, intercultural learning and societal impact.

鈥淎t 91亚色, we are committed to building a better future for all, and our active network of alumni plays a positive role in supporting and advancing that vision,鈥� says Rhonda Lenton, president and vice-chancellor. 

鈥淲e are grateful to Hian Siang Chan and Paulina Lau for their generous investment, which will increase the accessibility of global learning opportunities for our students and enhance their knowledge and skills to solve challenges such as inequality, war and conflict, and the climate crisis. We are incredibly proud of these successful alums and their commitment to giving back to the University through this transformative support for students,鈥� adds Lenton.

Vinitha Gengatharan, 91亚色鈥檚 assistant vice-president, global engagement and partnerships, says the Paulina Lau Scholars Program will provide opportunities for talented students who wouldn鈥檛 otherwise consider going abroad.

鈥淕ifts like these open doors for promising students who might not have the financial means to travel without aid. This gift allows them to dream big and take on bold opportunities,鈥� Gengatharan adds. 鈥淲e are thrilled and inspired that Mr. Chan and Ms. Lau recognize the value of such formative opportunities for our students.鈥�

Learn more about the  and  in achieving their goals in a global society.  

Originally published on Yfile.

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