Uncategorized Archives - Global Engagement /global-engagement/category/uncategorized/ Wed, 06 May 2026 15:32:18 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 91亚色 joins Canada Learning Initiative in China (CLIC) /global-engagement/2026/05/06/york-joins-canada-learning-initiative-in-china-clic/ Wed, 06 May 2026 13:05:34 +0000 /global-engagement/?p=54586 91亚色 is thrilled to have joined the Canada Learning Initiative in China (CLIC)! A national consortium of a dozen leading Canadian universities, CLIC will further advance 91亚色's academic connection with China by providing funding opportunities and programs for our students to study abroad at Chinese higher education institutions. 91亚色 currently has over 50 active […]

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91亚色 is thrilled to have joined the Canada Learning Initiative in China (CLIC)!

A national consortium of a dozen leading Canadian universities, CLIC will further advance 91亚色's academic connection with China by providing funding opportunities and programs for our students to study abroad at Chinese higher education institutions. 91亚色 currently has over 50 active partnerships with China, and by joining CLIC, 91亚色 students have greater opportunity to travel and collaboration.

91亚色 hopes to send its first student to China through participation with CLIC in Fall 2026 - to our valued partner Fudan University.


Dr. Douglas Proctor, Assistant Vice President Global Engagement & Partnerships

"91亚色 is excited to join the Canada Learning Initiative in China (CLIC) consortium," announces Douglas Proctor, Assistant Vice President Global Engagement & Partnerships. "By providing Canadian students with funding to engage in transformative international experiences that enhance their academic, cultural, and professional development, members of the CLIC consortium reflect a shared commitment to academic excellence and global engagement. The consortium also plays a vital role in strengthening enduring academic partnerships between Canadian and Chinese institutions, fostering mutual understanding and collaborative scholarship through high-impact study and research opportunities in China. 91亚色 is honoured to join this national initiative and looks forward to contributing to its continued success."

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91亚色 expands international research, academic partnerships /global-engagement/2025/04/25/york-university-expands-international-research-academic-partnerships/ Sat, 26 Apr 2025 01:13:00 +0000 /global-engagement/?p=33322 Connecting online is a great way to foster international academic partnerships, yet there鈥檚 nothing like meeting in person to add richness and depth to a relationship. So says Amir Asif, 91亚色鈥檚 vice-president research and innovation, whose recent visits to universities in Germany and France exemplify how meeting in person promotes international collaboration. 鈥淢eeting in person allows […]

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Connecting online is a great way to foster international academic partnerships, yet there鈥檚 nothing like meeting in person to add richness and depth to a relationship. So says Amir Asif, 91亚色鈥檚 vice-president research and innovation, whose recent visits to universities in Germany and France exemplify how meeting in person promotes international collaboration.

鈥淢eeting in person allows us to explore those connections in a much richer way,鈥 says Asif. 鈥淭ouring labs, asking questions and having informal conversations that often spark new ideas. These interactions not only deepen our academic relationships but also open doors to collaboration and funding opportunities.鈥

Asif and his colleagues have been working to deepen their knowledge about European universities, and through delegations to France and Germany last fall, they have a more robust understanding of how new partnerships and opportunities can drive a positive path forward for 91亚色.

Delegations at these post-secondary counterparts include touring facilities, as well as meeting with research funding councils and government officials. The experience also provides an opportunity to see first-hand how these academic communities align with 91亚色鈥檚 institutional priorities. Many delegations include visits to multiple universities, which helps to mobilize understanding research objectives more broadly.

鈥淎t 91亚色, we are committed to growing these relationships, exploring new areas of synergy, and creating opportunities for our students, faculty and researchers to engage globally,鈥 says Vinitha Gengatharan, 91亚色鈥檚 assistant vice-president global engagement and partnerships.

The Fall 2024 visits took 91亚色鈥檚 delegations to Goethe University Frankfurt and University of Konstanz in Germany, and the Sorbonne and Institut Pasteur in France, adding to 91亚色鈥檚 already strong collaborative partnerships with European institutions.

For example, exchanges are already in place with several European institutions, and in 2023-24, 390 exchange students from countries such as France, Germany, Italy, Norway and more studied at 91亚色, while 315 91亚色 students studied at institutions in the Netherlands, the U.K. and Spain. In the past year, 91亚色 also received academic delegations from Bauhaus University Weimar in Germany, Lyon 1 in France and ICAI School of Engineering in Spain.

91亚色 formalizes research partnerships through memorandums of understanding (MOUs), such as the agreement between 91亚色鈥檚 Connected Minds research group and the University of Konstanz Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour in Germany.

Individual collaborations have also flourished across the University, including Faculty of Health Professor Michaela Hynie鈥檚 work with Annette Korntheuer at Munich University of Applied Sciences on issues related to forced migration. 91亚色 Research Chair Jianhong Wu, from the Department of Mathematics and Statistics in the Faculty of Science, works closely with Laurent Pujo-Menjouet, deputy director of the Faculty of Sciences at Claude Bernard University 1 in France, on issues related to vaccine mathematics.

In addition to nurturing existing partnerships, 91亚色 continues to seek new collaborative opportunities, and has identified promising areas with Goethe University Frankfurt in artificial intelligence (AI), feminist research, bees and ecology, and environmental and urban change.

Asif notes that in-person visits offer greater opportunity to understand the academic landscape of international institutions and helps to highlight the similarities to and differences from the Canadian post-secondary sector.

鈥淚 think we have a common culture and connection, the same democratic norms,鈥 says Asif. 鈥淭heir aspirations align closely with ours, including research excellence, social equity, health equity, social justice and a meaningful contribution to society.鈥

He also sees a shared commitment to multidisciplinary academic programs. 鈥淲e want to prepare graduates who are leaders in their respective fields.鈥

Asif says the delegations also provide meaningful feedback from international universities on what Canadian institutions are doing well. 鈥淭here鈥檚 a real admiration among our German counterparts, as an example, for how Canada approaches these complex issues,鈥 he says. 鈥淭hey look up to Canada, because we鈥檝e introduced immigration in a way that embraces multiculturalism, and that model is deeply relevant to broader societal discussions.鈥

He adds that with global challenges from climate change to democratic governance, the need for partnership has never been greater. 鈥淣o single institution or country can solve them alone. That鈥檚 why collaboration is essential.鈥

Gengatharan agrees and says these collaborations 鈥渁llow us to connect across disciplines and geographies to address complex challenges together.鈥

There are also practical and financial benefits to forming these partnerships, notes Amir. 鈥淩esearch is expensive and collaboration allows us to share labs, data and resources. But just as important is the sharing of ideas, especially in areas where society is evolving rapidly and new policy responses are needed,鈥 he says.

Creating meaningful international connections means 91亚色 reciprocating regularly by welcoming delegates from European universities and sharing overseas opportunities with faculty.

An event at the Keele Campus on May 1 will continue to strengthen the 91亚色-Germany partnership, offering a chance for faculty to learn about successful collaborations, funding opportunities from German agencies and guidance on connecting with Germany鈥檚 Clusters鈥 of Excellence, which are collaborative research projects funded by the country's government.

Asif sees the May event as a continuation of the relationship-building his past trips abroad fostered.

鈥淚'm really looking forward to exploring how we can deepen our existing partnerships, whether through academic exchange or collaborative research initiatives.鈥

91亚色 researchers and faculty can register for the May 1 event .

With files from Suzanne Bowness

Originally published in Yfile.

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Inaugural International Seed Funding Initiative Successfully Advances Global Research Collaborations /global-engagement/2025/04/10/inaugural-international-seed-funding-initiative-successfully-advances-global-research-collaborations/ Thu, 10 Apr 2025 17:23:02 +0000 /global-engagement/?p=31974 By Alexander Maavara The inaugural funding call of the Global Research Excellence (GRE) Fund has concluded with 91亚色 providing over $230,000 to support international research collaboration. Launched in the spring of 2024, the GRE Fund is a key initiative in support of Engaging the World: 91亚色鈥檚 Internationalization and Global Engagement Strategy, which prioritizes deepening […]

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By Alexander Maavara

The inaugural funding call of the Global Research Excellence (GRE) Fund has concluded with 91亚色 providing over $230,000 to support international research collaboration.

Launched in the spring of 2024, the GRE Fund is a key initiative in support of Engaging the World: 91亚色鈥檚 Internationalization and Global Engagement Strategy, which prioritizes deepening international research collaborations and maximizing global research impact.

Twenty-four projects across 8 91亚色 Faculties and a number of 91亚色鈥檚 Organized Research Units (ORUs) have been funded. They have received grants of up to $30,000, involving over thirty 91亚色 faculty and dozens of collaborators from around the world. Projects are deepening international research into sustainable development, climate change adaptation & mitigation, Indigenous pedagogy, AI, disease modelling, critical minerals, LGBTQ+ rights, water sciences, urban infrastructure, migration, and autonomous systems.

GRE-funded collaborations are already advancing 91亚色鈥檚 global reach. One project has seen Faculty of Health professors Christo El Morr and Vijay Mago organize an international symposium in March 2025 titled 鈥淪haping the AI Landscape: A Multi-Disciplinary Approach to Technology, Society and the Future of Marginalized Communities鈥 in partnership with and hosted at IIT Palakkad. Bringing together philosophers, social scientists, and AI researchers, including those from many other leading Indian institutions like IIT Bombay and IISc Bangalore, the symposium was a tremendous success. It generated insights into the social impacts of AI and great potential for further collaboration.

91亚色-MIT Postdoctoral Fellow Dr. Changyun Cho

Another notable international research collaboration is with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in astrophysics. Supported by GRE and considerable external funding, Faculty of Science Prof. Rahul Kannan and his MIT collaborator jointly recruited a Postdoctoral fellow from New 91亚色.

More than half of the 91亚色 faculty members engaged are early-career or mid-career researchers.

鈥淪upporting our emerging research leaders is vital to the long-term success of the institution鈥檚 research enterprise,鈥 states Amir Asif, Vice President of Research and Innovation. 鈥淕RE aligns with 91亚色's Internationalization and Global Engagement Strategy by fostering investigator-driven research internationalization. This approach leverages our faculty鈥檚 expertise, collaborations, and global networks to address pressing global challenges. GRE empowers our investigators to take strategic risks in establishing new or strengthening current partnerships by addressing funding gaps at various stages.鈥

GRE is supporting projects in 23 countries, with 14 projects engaging Global South or global Indigenous partners. GRE funding is being leveraged to support everything from exploratory discussions and workshops with new partners to grant proposal development and joint personnel training. A key goal of the GRE Fund is to ensure that we facilitate tangible outcomes within a two-year time horizon and partnerships with leading international collaborators. GRE-supported projects have applied for over $16 million in Canadian and international funding opportunities, with over $500,000 in external funding already invested back into the collaborations. GRE projects have facilitated collaborations with top-ranked universities, United Nations agencies, NGOs, media, and arts & cultural organizations in North America, Latin America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Oceania.

Vice-President Research and Innovation Amir Asif meeting with GRE project partner University of Ghana in Accra

鈥淚nitiatives like GRE signal 91亚色鈥檚 global aspirations and vision to partners, peers, governments, and funding bodies that 91亚色 is committed to supporting collaborations that advance cutting edge and transformational research鈥 says Vinitha Gengatharan, Assistant Vice-President, Global Engagement & Partnerships. 鈥淲e hope to follow up on GRE鈥檚 inaugural success to deepen research ties and build on 91亚色鈥檚 global reputation by launching the next iteration of GRE in 2025. I greatly appreciate the Associate Vice-Presidents for Research's efforts to adjudicate and guide the GRE initiative to early success. I thank our faculty community, ADRs, research services teams, and international partners for their invaluable input in developing the GRE fund.鈥  

GRE is designed and implemented by the Global Strategic Initiatives team, a cross-portfolio unit within 91亚色 International that works closely with the Office of the VP Research and Innovation and the Office of the President to advance the Global Engagement Strategy's research internationalization and reputation priorities. To learn more about the ground-breaking work being supported by the GRE Fund, Click Here.  

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Filipino Canadian trailblazers share experiences of success and overcoming obstacles /global-engagement/2024/12/05/filipino-canadian-trailblazers-share-experiences-of-success-and-overcoming-obstacles/ Thu, 05 Dec 2024 19:37:00 +0000 /global-engagement/?p=32041 By Gloria Suhasini 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 […]

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By Gloria Suhasini

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

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.

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.

From left: 91亚色 U Dance Professor Patrick Alcedo, School of Arts, Media, Performance and Design; Professor Glenda Bonifacio, Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Lakehead University; Manitoba Senator Flordeliz (Gigi) Osler; and Professor Philip Kelly, and Associate Dean for Research, Graduate & Global Affairs.

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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91亚色 launches prestigious Paulina Lau Scholars Program /global-engagement/2022/09/14/york-university-launches-prestigious-paulina-lau-scholars-program/ Wed, 14 Sep 2022 14:14:00 +0000 /global-engagement/?p=31118 A transformative gift from an alumni family will allow 91亚色 to enhance its financial support for students seeking global learning opportunities. 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 […]

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A transformative gift from an alumni family will allow 91亚色 to enhance its financial support for students seeking global learning opportunities.

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 Paulina Lau (left) and Hian Siang Chan

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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Children's health course tackles SDGs with an assist from globally networked learning /global-engagement/2021/08/04/childrens-health-course-tackles-sdgs-with-an-assist-from-globally-networked-learning/ Wed, 04 Aug 2021 20:25:00 +0000 /global-engagement/?p=31448 Collaborating with students from Ecuador on a class project was an eye-opening experience for Danielle Legerman, a fourth-year student in 91亚色鈥檚 Children, Childhood and Youth Studies (CCY) program and president of the new United Future Teachers鈥 Association. 鈥淚t was the first opportunity I had for globally networked learning (GNL) in university and it was exciting,鈥 said Legerman. […]

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Collaborating with students from Ecuador on a class project was an eye-opening experience for Danielle Legerman, a fourth-year student in 91亚色鈥檚 Children, Childhood and Youth Studies (CCY) program and president of the new United Future Teachers鈥 Association.

鈥淚t was the first opportunity I had for  in university and it was exciting,鈥 said Legerman. 鈥淚 thought it would be tricky building rapport online with someone across the globe, because it鈥檚 always difficult meeting someone new, but we clicked almost instantly, perhaps because we had a common goal (the project).鈥

Pairing 91亚色 students with students from Universidad San Francisco de Quito in her course Children鈥檚 Health and Quality of Life: A Rights-based Perspective was the work of Cheryl van Daalen-Smith, associate professor in the CCY program, supported by the GNL team within 91亚色 International.

鈥淭his course offers a good opportunity for intercultural dialogue through globally networked learning, because children鈥檚 health is affected by decisions made globally and thus wholly affiliated with the ," van Daalen-Smith said. "In this popular elective in CCY, we look at the  and what creates quality of life in relation to the , something that most countries have officially signed.鈥 By enabling discussion about the same issues for children in another country, such as Ecuador, students gain the ability to understand how health is a human right for children.

Supported by the GNL team, van Daalen-Smith was partnered with the Universidad San Francisco de Quito, connecting with a professor who was teaching a service-learning course that was focused on giving back to the community.

鈥淭hey weren鈥檛 focused specifically on children鈥檚 health, although they were concerned about child poverty, but they were sold by the opportunity to discuss the UN鈥檚 Sustainable Development Goals as a key strategy in service learning in Ecuador. They were excited about the possibility of facilitating intercultural dialogue and meeting students and professors from another country.

United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals infographic

鈥淲e agreed that we鈥檇 each do a lecture in each other鈥檚 class and have the students work together in groups to explore an SDG of choice in order to understand its relevance to children鈥檚 health and children鈥檚 rights. It fit perfectly with 91亚色鈥檚 University Academic Plan, which in part invites faculty, programs and students to find ways to pursue meaningful engagement and impact on the SDGs as a university.鈥

While van Daalen-Smith taught the social determinants of health, the SDGs and children鈥檚 rights to the Ecuadorean students remotely, Universidad San Francisco de Quito Professor Karla Diaz discussed child health inequities in Ecuador with the 91亚色 students, even bringing them to a simulated village to illustrate how some children in Ecuador live. Meanwhile, the students worked online in groups of two or three to examine an SDG in depth, examining the link between them, children鈥檚 health and the social determinants of health in each country.

Over the course of a few weeks, the students spent time conversing and sharing information, discussing the issue and relevant statistics, determining how their chosen SDG affected children. They each were asked to prepare an infographic reflecting the impact of the SDG, whether in their own country or comparing both countries, and they each presented them to their own class.

鈥淭he students all wished we could have more synchronous time and, moving forward, I would ensure these synchronous group meetings are scheduled ahead of time in one another鈥檚 syllabus,鈥 van Daalen-Smith said. 鈥淥ur respective courses only overlapped for a few weeks because of different semester start dates, so we only scratched the surface in terms of intercultural discussion, but we saw that the major health threats to children in each country were very different. In Canada, they included injuries, poor mental health, child abuse, poverty, food insecurity, physical inactivity, bullying, vaccine-preventable illness and discrimination. In Ecuador, the concerns were sexual abuse, food insecurity and poverty. What jarred both myself and Dr. Diaz was that in both countries, Indigenous children were faring the worst in terms of health outcomes, quality of life and poverty.鈥

Legerman鈥檚 group focused on reducing inequality (SDG No. 10) and 鈥渢here was lots to talk about," she said. "It was great to have an in-depth conversation with a partner across the globe. We realized how many differences there were in our countries鈥 health policies for kids.鈥

As she continues on to teachers college in 2022, Legerman plans to look for opportunities to build globally networked learning into the courses that she, herself, teaches.

Her classmate, Iffat Shah, a third-year CCY major, had never heard of GNL before taking this course, but said she hopes there are more opportunities in her future. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a great way to get insight into the rest of the world and learn about the health and rights of children in a part of the world where you鈥檝e never been.鈥

Shah and her group focused on SDG No. 16, peace and social justice for children, and she enjoyed the research, the discussions with students in Ecuador and learning from her classmates鈥 presentations on their own SDGs.

鈥淓veryone is used to being online, and it鈥檚 great that in my own house, I can see remotely what is happening in other countries,鈥 she said.

鈥淚鈥檓 sold, totally sold, on GNL," said van Daalen-Smith. "When you have two committed professors, students get excited about talking to others around the world. And the SDGs are a perfect fit for globalizing our classrooms at 91亚色.鈥

She is working on integrating GNL into her upcoming PhD courses in nursing and in gender, feminist and women鈥檚 studies this coming year. Van Daalen-Smith and Diaz, her Ecuadorean colleague who is now a friend, are already planning to work together again next summer.

鈥淲e鈥檙e looking at what we鈥檇 do the same and what we鈥檇 do differently, while continuing to unpack the SDGs and their relevance for children,鈥 she said. 鈥淪he鈥檚 awesome, and I鈥檓 excited about it. What made this all possible was that the level of support we received from the GNL team at 91亚色 International was second to none. I highly recommend GNL to my colleagues at 91亚色 and look forward to faculty colleagues reaching out if they are as intrigued with the prospect of GNL as I was. Pedagogically, it is a real game-changer.鈥

By Elaine Smith, special contributor

Originally published in YFile

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YI is now Virtual! and other updates for International Students /global-engagement/2020/03/25/yi-is-now-virtual-and-other-updates-for-international-students/ Wed, 25 Mar 2020 15:09:00 +0000 /international/?p=298 Communication sent to International Students on March 19, 2020 We know the situation with COVID-19 is moving quite quickly so we hope you鈥檙e keeping well during this time.  As Public Health advisories have gone out recommending social distancing, closing of restaurants and other safety measures, we want you to have some information about services, supports […]

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Communication sent to International Students on March 19, 2020

We know the situation with COVID-19 is moving quite quickly so we hope you鈥檙e keeping well during this time.  As Public Health advisories have gone out recommending social distancing, closing of restaurants and other safety measures, we want you to have some information about services, supports and resources available for all international students at 91亚色.

91亚色 International services remain open and accessible to all international students at 91亚色.  See below for a new way of getting in touch with us!

91亚色 International Services Moving Online

As of March 18, 91亚色 International will move to online, phone or email advising for all our services.  You can meet with an advisor virtually from wherever you are!

Immigration Advising:

You can now meet with an International Student Advisor & Immigration Specialist online!   and our Advisors will use Zoom to have a video advising session with you.  Prefer to talk over the phone?  That鈥檚 available as well! Just let us know what your preference is when you sign up.  You can also email us at iadvisor@yorku.ca.

UHIP Advising:

UHIP Advising will also move online to Zoom!   with our UHIP Administrator over Zoom or the phone.  You can also email uhip@yorku.ca with your questions.

Social Distancing Can Still be Social!

Social distancing doesn鈥檛 mean you鈥檙e alone!  We鈥檙e moving our weekly Coffee Breaks online so you can still connect with other 91亚色 students.  Starting Monday March 23, we will run Coffee Breaks every weekday afternoon from 2-4pm.  Connect with us online over video chat with your own cup of coffee from home and check in to see how your 91亚色 community is doing.  Our Student Staff and Peers will be available to chat, laugh, and share their strategies of staying healthy, active and connected during social distancing.  Check out our YI Events calendar or our social media starting Friday for more info and how to join!

Can鈥檛 wait for Monday?  You don鈥檛 have to! We鈥檒l be hosting our first  this Thursday March 19 from 2-4pm.  Check our  for more info!

What鈥檚 Open on Campus and in Toronto?

Many restaurants and campus dining facilities are no longer open for dining but are still open for take out and delivery.  If you are living in residence, you鈥檒l receive information on which cafeterias are open for service.  You can also download different food delivery apps like Door Dash, Foodora or others to get meals delivered if you need.

You should also get a few supplies for your residence room or apartment.  Some groceries and snacks for some easy and healthy meals may help you get through some late night cravings, eat healthier and save money.  Only have a microwave?  No problem!  You can use the microwave to make cheesy scrambled eggs, steamed veggies, 鈥渂aked鈥 potatoes, frozen meals, even cake in a mug!  Also make sure to have some things like any medicines and other health necessities on hand.

International Students in Residence

If you are already in residence at 91亚色 and you can鈥檛 travel back to your home country because of recent travel restrictions/border restrictions or other circumstances, you are not required to move out of residence.  Make sure to to let them know of your plans whether you鈥檙e staying or leaving early.

Stay Informed

Whether you鈥檙e looking for what the experts are saying about staying safe or looking for the latest info about COVID-19 at 91亚色, we鈥檝e got the resources for you!

: for how to protect yourself, what social distancing means and more!

: for the latest updates on what鈥檚 happening at 91亚色 around COVID-19

:  we鈥檝e compiled the most commonly asked questions from international students and some that we think you should know more about!

:  provides essential mental health support and resources for 91亚色 students

: confidential support services for post-secondary students in Ontario for professional counselling and information and referrals for mental health, addictions and well-being. Call 1-866-925-5454 or text GOOD2TALKON to 686868

Stay safe everyone.  Wash your hands, practice social distancing and support each other!

91亚色 International

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A Message from the Vice-Provost Students regarding COVID-19 /global-engagement/2020/03/14/a-message-from-the-vice-provost-students-regarding-covid-19/ Sat, 14 Mar 2020 15:10:55 +0000 /international/?p=300 To all International Students at 91亚色, Yesterday you received an email from President Lenton about 91亚色鈥檚 response to COVID-19. This included information about suspending face-to-face classes and moving courses to online formats. As an international student, we understand you may have some additional questions and concerns about what this means for you. I want to reiterate […]

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To all International Students at 91亚色,

Yesterday you received an email from . This included information about suspending face-to-face classes and moving courses to online formats. As an international student, we understand you may have some additional questions and concerns about what this means for you.

I want to reiterate President Lenton鈥檚 message and say that 91亚色 is here to support every member of the community during this time. The University is open and our services and supports remain open and available to you.

  • 91亚色 International and other services are available across campus to support international students.
  • International Student Advisors & Immigration Specialists are on hand to answer your immigration questions.
  • Our UHIP staff will be available to answer questions about health insurance for international students. For questions regarding your UHIP coverage, please email uhip@yorku.ca.
  • Student Counselling & Development will remain open for students looking to speak to a counsellor.
  • Residence Life and Housing staff will be on hand to support students living in residence.
  • Many services can be offered in alternate formats including over email, phone or virtually if you do not wish to come onto campus or will be away from campus.

TRAVELLING HOME?
Some of you are likely considering travel to your home countries during this time. The move to online formats for classes gives you the flexibility to do so as you see fit. The University is considering options for final exams and will communicate decisions as quickly as possible.

You should also check for travel restrictions in your home country and/or in Canada as you plan your travels.  There is some uncertainty in future travel restrictions so please consider and evaluate your options carefully in making a decision about your travel plans.

RESIDENCES ARE OPEN
If you are not planning on returning to your home country and live in residence on campus, current plans are for 91亚色 residences to remain open.

STUDY PERMIT INFORMATION
We are also working to get information from Immigration, Refugees & Citizenship Canada about anything that may be important regarding study permits. We will update you as information becomes available. Please make sure to check  regularly for these updates as well.

For questions regarding immigration and general international student well-being, please email iadvisor@yorku.ca.

We understand this is a difficult time and you may be feeling anxious and worried. We encourage you to continue taking preventative and safety measures including frequent hand washing, sanitizing surfaces regularly and staying home if you are feeling ill.

91亚色 will continue to update the community on the most current information on COVID-19 via the  and through email.

Sincerely,

Lucy Fromowitz
Vice-Provost Students

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