While most post-secondary institutions across Canada mark International Education Week (IEW) during the third week of November, 91亚色 celebrated over the entire month of November.
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.