The following is a message to the University community from President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda L. Lenton and Provost and Vice-President Academic Lisa Philipps:
We are pleased to share that over the next nine months, York University will work towards developing a fully integrated, institutional-level strategic plan for internationalization and global engagement. Through the new I3SP, the University will look to implement the objectives set out for internationalization and global engagement in the University Academic Plan. Through the development of an institutional plan, York University has an opportunity to build on its strengths, create a distinct vision and expand opportunities for students, faculty, and staff to contribute towards local and global impact.
York University’s vision as a community-engaged university committed to the social, economic, environmental, cultural and other well-being of society reflects its understanding of the interconnection of global and local issues. York’s global reach and engagement of its faculty, staff, students, alumni and partners is wide ranging, including international academic and research collaborations, centres in India and Costa Rica, international students from 178 countries, and global learning opportunities such as exchanges, internships and study abroad courses for students as well as alumni in more than 40 countries. This commitment to global engagement is reaffirmed and referenced in key planning documents (Provostial White Paper, 2010; University Academic Plan 2015-20; and the Institutional Integrated Resource Plan).
The I3SP will be developed through a consultation process to inform a framework and strategy that will facilitate and co-ordinate efforts across the University. To this end, we are establishing a President’s Council on Internationalization & Global Engagement to serve as an advisory body to the president, comprised of representatives from across the University community who will provide input into the consultation process as well as the plan itself. This council will be chaired by the provost and vice-president academic.
The President’s Council on Internationalization & Global Engagement will begin meeting in February 2019. The work of the President’s Council is intended to last approximately nine months. Nominations and expressions of interest to serve on the President’s Council should be submitted to the Office of the Vice-President Academic and Provost at provost@yorku.ca by Jan. 16. Please include a brief statement on the experience and knowledge you bring to the committee.
For more information, click here to download a PDF containing the full terms of reference on the council’s membership, process and goals.
Questions about the President’s Council or the process should be directed to Vinitha Gengatharan, executive director of York International, at vinithag@yorku.ca.