York University students speak about international study and work opportunities

Earth at night was holding in human hands. Earth day. Energy saving concept, Elements of this image furnished by NASA

Students reflect on the meaning and depth of their experiences studying and working abroad during an in-person Global Learning Fair. The application deadline for the next cycle of international opportunities for students is Jan. 23, 2023.

By Elaine Smith

 “‘Explore, Engage and Experience’ is the message our Global Learning Fairs aim to convey to students,” said Ashley Laracy, associate director of global learning for York International (YI). “Since we recently held our first in-person fair since the pandemic lockdown, we want to make students aware of the opportunities that abound. We hope that this will spur them to begin their applications, submit them by the Jan. 23 deadline and prepare to study or work abroad in the 2023-24 academic year.”

Above, from left: Exchange Student Tazamin Cleary, Northumbria University, New Castle, UK, Claudio Klaus - International Visiting Research Trainee from Brazil, and Chenyang Yue - York International work/study student and Global Leaders of York Science Volunteer
Above, from left: Exchange Student Tazamin Cleary, Northumbria University, New Castle, UK, Claudio Klaus – International Visiting Research Trainee from Brazil, and Chenyang Yue – York International work/study student and Global Leaders of York Science Volunteer

The in-person Global Learning Fair featured a number of York student exchange programs, some of York’s exchange partners, summer abroad programs and internship opportunities, and current and former exchange students eager to share their excitement about the experience. Representatives from the Faculties of Environmental and Urban Change, Liberal Arts & Professional Studies, and Science also took part.

The event held at Vari Hall was followed by two virtual sessions to link students with program and university representatives based around the globe. Laracy noted that YI has funding available for students who are interested in traveling abroad to off set the cost of participation.

Studying abroad is beneficial to students in a number of ways, Laracy added.

“Our world has become increasingly global, and students who take advantage of study abroad opportunities experience this first hand,” she said. “Spending time in another culture allows them to experience and understand different perspectives on the world, gain skills for the global workplace and increase their employability, since global experience is always desirable. In addition, they may experience a different education system, make friends from different cultures and learn to navigate their way through a new locale. It is an enriching experience, both personally and professionally.”

Farzana Rohit calls her 2022 summer study abroad course in Greece “the best experience in my life so far.”

The fourth-year student went abroad for Greece: A Modern History and can’t say enough good things about the course and the trip, enthusiasm both she and fellow student Simon Younan shared this month with interested students the in-person Global Learning Fair. “I wanted to do something different and it was the best decision I ever made,” said Rohit, a philosophy major.

The students had classes at York University for two weeks, then embarked on the trip, which had a packed agenda.

“It was experiential learning, visiting historical sites and museums and immersing ourselves in Greek culture,” she said. “Every day, it was as if we were in an alternate universe. It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

In Summer 2023, there are more than 20 YorkU courses and programs that students can explore and choose from. Faculties, in collaboration and with the support of York International, offer immersive education experiences in Colombia, Czechia, Ecuador, Greece, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Mexico, the United Kingdom, the United States and in the Las Nubes EcoCampus Costa Rica, among others. Led by faculty members from across York University, these programs allow students to study in a different country for several weeks with a group of their known peers and no credit transfer is required.

Ritwika Gupta - International Partnerships Manager (Study Abroad) - Brunel University London
Ritwika Gupta – International Partnerships Manager (Study Abroad) – Brunel University London

Ritwika Gupta represented Brunel University, located in London, England, at the fair. She said the university is best known for its medical school for international students and for its sport science program.

“We are a new partnership with York,” she said. “We have three York exchange students this year and the interest will only grow. We want to hear accents from all over the world on our campus.”

Ontario Universities International is a provincial program that provides students with the opportunity for exchanges with universities in the German state of Baden-Württemberg (OBW) and the French Rhône-Alpes (ORA) region.

“Our program is supported by provincial funding and there are scholarships up to $3,500 available for all York University students,” said Agnes Poleszczuk, the program’s York-based co-ordinator and an alumna of the program herself. Students can study for a semester, undertake a research project, or learn a language during the summer at one of the programs’ partner institutions.

Exchange student Mathilde El Ogb is spending a year at York University as part of her bilingual bachelor’s degree program in history at the University of Toulouse in France and was eager to share her enthusiasm for student exchange programs.

“I’m very glad to be here because it is an opportunity to take courses that they don’t have at my university,” said El Ogb, who has classes in 20th century Canada and Latin American history this semester. “I’ve made a lot of great friends and it’s cool to be surrounded by such a big landscape.”

Kaitlyn Celentano, a second-year York media arts student, is exploring opportunities for studying abroad.

“I always wanted to do this; it’s super cool to be able to travel through school,” Celentano said. “Film is a very global business and there’s history about the way film is being made in different places, so you can see what goes on. I’m looking at places where English is the main language; there is a huge film business in the United Kingdom, for example.”

During the online sessions, students had the opportunity to dig deeper into the opportunities at many individual schools worldwide.

Malmö University in Sweden is a new York University partner institution, said Maria Pihel, the university’s international co-ordinator.

“We’re here to recruit more interest,” Pihel said. “Our main educational programs are professional, so it’s harder to find matches, so we are also looking at internships and placements to give students international experience in different ways.”

Laracy of York International noted, “With more than 300 global partners worldwide, I am confident that we have a program for all York University students.”

She encourages students to explore stepping outside of their comfort zone, engage in one of York’s global learning programs and gain skills through the experience that will set them apart from their peers on the job market.

Students study Netherlands and European Union first-hand

By Elaine Smith

When you’re learning about the political, social and economic transformations in the European Union (EU), where better to do it than in the heart of the EU itself? A group of York University students had that chance as part of a study abroad experience.

Professor Willem Maas story image for Innovatus story on his EU course
Willem Maas

For the first time since the start of the pandemic, students in Glendon Professor Willem Maas’ course, The Netherlands and Europeanization, were able to learn about the Netherlands and the EU first-hand with the return of study abroad at York University.

“Having taught this course twice in virtual format, it was a welcome challenge to make it come together in person, and I’m very grateful to the many guest speakers who spoke with the class, and the many institutions we were able to visit,” said Maas. “Real, on-the-ground international experience is invaluable for students and is a completely different experience from classroom-based learning.”

The summer course, a three-week class that took students around the Netherlands and into Belgium and Luxembourg with a brief foray across the border into Germany, offered them an in-depth look into the workings of what Maas calls a “middle power” in the EU as a case study of this regional government that came into being after the Second World War.

“This intensive summer abroad course helps students understand political, social and economic transformations in the European Union through site visits, interviews and meetings,” Maas said.

The class was constantly on the move, starting off the course in the Dutch administrative capital, the Hague, and ending it in Amsterdam, with visits to Brussels, Luxembourg, Nijmegen and Rotterdam in between. The group visited a variety of institutions including the Dutch parliament, the International Court of Justice and other courts in the Hague and Luxembourg, several universities, the European Parliament and the European Commission. They met politicians, academics and diplomats who gave them personal insights into the workings of the EU and the roles they played.

In addition, there were opportunities to absorb history, business and culture: for example, Roman ruins, a Canadian war cemetery, the port of Rotterdam, and the Rijksmuseum, home to many renowned Dutch paintings by Rembrandt, Vermeer and others.

Ed Leurebourg, an international studies student, also found the course very meaningful and was appreciative of the experiential education opportunity.

“The insights and experiences gained through this time will last me a lifetime,” Leurebourg said. “We saw everything from national to interstate parliaments. We met with diplomats of all levels and career public servants doing an earnest job serving their country or the EU. We visited museums and institutions that showed us the importance of a union such as this one, and got to see what a world without it could resemble.

“In just a month, this course managed to give me the real-life perspective I have been missing.”

Maria D’Aguanno, who recently graduated with a BA in children, childhood and youth studies, said, “It was eye-opening for me.”

D’Aguanno registered for the course simply as a way to fill a necessary social science requirement, but came away with both new knowledge and a rich experience.

“I enjoyed every moment, even though I had no background in political science. It sounded interesting and it was hands-on. I learned about what the EU does, not only for Europe, but for Canada and the rest of the world; things I wouldn’t have known.”

One of the highlights for her was a virtual conversation with Dutch teachers where she had the opportunity to compare the Canadian and Dutch education systems and learn about how the Netherlands handled education during the pandemic.

“It made me think about how we could all come together to make learning more equitable and how I, as an educator, can assist parents and children who have limited resources.”

Of course, the class didn’t land in the Netherlands without any knowledge of the country. The course required them to do a number of readings and analyses prior to their travels and reflections both during and after the trip.

“I’d like my students to gain an empirical understanding and theoretical grounding to analyze developments and ideas related to the EU and European integration,” said Maas.

In addition to the body of subject knowledge the students gained, they also reaped other benefits.

“There were small things that meant a lot,” D’Aguanno said. “When you immerse yourself in a culture, it changes the way you see things. Interacting with the locals, I felt like part of the community, and I learned a lot through social interactions. You grow as an individual.

“You also need to start being more independent; you have to do things for yourself; there’s no one to do it for you. I recommend that everyone take advantage of at least one study abroad opportunity. You learn more than you will ever imagine and it stays with you.”

The Netherlands Summer Course will be offered again in 2024. For information on abroad courses offered this coming summer 2023, visit https://yorkinternational.yorku.ca/go-global/summer-abroad/.

Gift supports strengthening of Philippine studies at York University

Philippine agreement signing with York University FEATURED image

By Elaine Smith

The agreement is the first of its kind for a Canadian university to receive direct funding from the Philippine government, and will enhance academic and research collaborations between York and Philippine universities.

York University and the government of the Philippines signed a historic donation agreement on Nov. 21 that provides York with a contribution of 5 million Philippine pesos ($115,000 CDN). The funding is the result of the strong academic and research collaborations between York and Philippine universities and will be used to enhance relations between the Philippines and Canada through academic programs, projects and activities related to Filipino history, cultures and society.

The Philippine Studies Group at York University, located within the York Centre for Asian Research, will spearhead the initiative, which will be led by Ethel Tungohan, associate professor of politics and Canada Research Chair in Canadian Migration Policy, Impacts and Activism, along with Professor Patrick Alcedo from the School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design, and Philip Kelly, associate dean, research and global affairs, for the Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change (EUC).

York University is the first and only Canadian university to receive this direct funding contribution from the Philippine government for education co-operation activities specifically for Philippine initiatives programming. It joins the ranks of other prestigious universities worldwide in this regard, including the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) in London and New York University in New York City.

Orontes V. Castro, Philippine consul general, and Rhonda Lenton, president and vice-chancellor of York University met at the University to formally sign the memorandum of understanding, which was made possible thanks to the initiative of Senator Loren Legarda, president pro-tempore of the Senate of the Philippines.

York University President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda Lenton with Orontes V. Castro, Philippine consul general
York University President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda Lenton with Orontes V. Castro, Philippine consul general. Featured image (above) and this image by Alex Felipe

“On behalf of York University, we are grateful to partner with the Government of the Philippines to further strengthen people-to-people ties between the Philippines and Canada,” said Lenton. “This Memorandum of Understanding will enhance impactful academic and research collaborations, particularly through York’s Centre for Asian Research, focusing on Filipino history, culture and society in Canada and beyond. This partnership is built upon mutually shared values that recognize the importance of higher education, knowledge exchange and cultural well-being in contributing to successful societies.”

Legarda, in a message read by Castro, said, “The Philippine initiatives at York University will highlight the relevance of academe in enhancing our countries’ relations and opening opportunities for more collaboration in various fields. … I believe that this will create more prospects for meaningful exchanges, deepen and widen the Philippines-Canada relations in various areas of co-operation, and promote a greater appreciation of Philippine history, ways and culture and the Filipino people.”

Faculty members are equally enthusiastic about the opportunities this agreement will make possible.

“When the Consul General first contacted me and Helen Balderama [director, global engagement programs & partnerships, York International] to discuss the donation that the Philippine government wanted to give York University, he emphasized how York is one of a handful of universities around the world who was given this honor,” said Tungohan, who teaches in the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies. “York, in fact, out of all universities in Canada, was chosen because of the strengths of our research on the Philippines and the Philippine diaspora. The grant will support scholarly exchanges between researchers in Canada and the Philippines, provide research funding for students and faculty members, and allow us to build a “Filipiniana” section in our library.

“I anticipate that this donation will catalyze the creation of a bigger community of Philippine initiatives scholars at York, allowing us to hopefully build an official Philippine studies program at York.”

Alcedo, Chair of the Department of Dance, said, “The historic donation from the Philippine government is a testament to York being the leading university in Philippine initiatives in Canada. York now houses the most faculty and graduate students in this part of the world whose areas of research cut across multiple disciplines: politics, cultural geography, cultural studies, education, diasporic and immigration studies, and the performing arts.

“As a dance ethnographer, whose focus is on Philippine traditional dances, I am very much looking forward to building on this grant to activate artist-to-artist exchange between the Philippines and Canada, leading toward robust community engagement and cultural diplomacy.”

Kelly, a professor of geography, added, “York has a long history of research, teaching and community collaboration in Philippine initiatives (including Filipinx diaspora initiatives). The generous support from Senator Legarda, via the Philippine Consulate in Toronto, will raise our efforts to the next level, allowing an enriched array of programming at York in Philippine initiatives. I am especially excited by the possibilities it opens up for supporting graduate student research and engaging with academic colleagues in the Philippines.”

Vinitha Gengatharan, York’s assistant vice-president, global engagement & partnerships, said, “This historic gift offers York an excellent opportunity to strengthen and broaden these initiatives and to become a global leader in Philippine initiatives. We are joining an influential global network of universities that includes Humboldt University in Berlin, Germany and SOAS at the University of London in the United Kingdom in engaging with partners in the Philippines through such a gift. This initiative at York is sure to grow and expand given all the interest it has generated already.”

Government of Guyana partners with Schulich ExecEd to expand hospital leadership capacity

Schulich ExecEd visits Guyana

Schulich ExecEd, an extension of the Schulich School of Business at York University, has partnered with the government in Guyana to build up their health-care system.

The partnership aims to develop capacity for training hospital leadership in Guyana, through a program designed to teach management and leadership skills to senior leaders and executive heads across the health sector. It will be delivered to participants from all administrative regions.

“We are delighted to partner with the Ministry of Health, Government of Guyana as they overhaul the delivery of health-care services by developing their top hospital administrators across all 10 regions, equipping them with the skills necessary to lead this transformation,” Executive Director of Schulich ExecEd, Rami Mayer, said.

Represenatatives from York University visited Guyana to launch a new program. Picture from left to right are: Aruna Faria, Administrative Manager, Guyana Ministry of Health  Jeff MacInnis, Facilitator for the Schulich ExecEd – Guyana Masters Certificate in Hospital Leadership Program  Robert Lynn, Schulich ExecEd, Associate Director  Dr. Susan Lieff, Program Director of the Schulich ExecEd – Guyana Masters Certificate in Hospital Leadership Program  Dr. Frank Anthony, Guyana’s Minister of Health  Rami Mayer, Schulich ExecEd, Executive Director Dr. Narendra Singh, York University, Board of Governors Member; founder and President of Giving Health To Kids (GHTK), a registered Canadian charity  Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, Chairman of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, Advisor to Guyana’s Minister of Health
Representatives from York University visited Guyana to launch a new program. Picture from left to right are: Aruna Faria, administrative manager, Guyana Ministry of Health; Jeff MacInnis, facilitator for the Schulich ExecEd–Guyana Masters Certificate in Hospital Leadership Program; Robert Lynn, Schulich ExecEd, associate director; Dr. Susan Lieff, program director of the Schulich ExecEd–Guyana Masters Certificate in Hospital Leadership Program; Dr. Frank Anthony, Guyana’s minister of health; Rami Mayer, Schulich ExecEd, executive director; Dr. Narendra Singh, York University, Board of Governors member; founder and president of Giving Health To Kids (GHTK); Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, chairman of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation, advisor to Guyana’s Minister of Health

The Schulich ExecEd-Guyana Masters Certificate in Hospital Leadership Program is customized for Guyana’s hospital administrators and provides the necessary interpersonal skills and hands-on business tools to improve management, leadership and service delivery skills at all levels. The new certification supports York’s commitment to advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) – in particular UN SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being and UN SDG 4 Quality Education.

“York’s commitment to expanding access to higher education around the world and, in particular, the Global South is reflected in this new program. The University’s substantial health system expertise will be a catalyst for positive change in Guyana’s health-care system and reflects our dedication to global leadership on the SDGs,” said Lisa Philipps, York’s provost and vice-president academic.

Schulich ExecEd has a long history of community building, social innovation and supporting the professional development of equity-deserving groups, said Mayer.

“Through this program, we hope to provide equitable, accessible, empathetic, and enhanced health care. Our goal is to help the Guyanese government transform its health-care system and develop better hospital administrators and provide innovative health-care solutions to improve patient outcomes.”

The Guyana Ministry of Health should be commended for recognizing that investment in training health system leaders is one of the most important ways to improve health-care delivery, said Dr. Robert Bell, former Ontario deputy minister of health.

“I was inspired by the energy, intelligence, and desire of the course participants to improve Guyana’s health systems,” he said.

A virtual launch of the nine-month program took place in October, and was attended by Guyana Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony; Guyana Public Service Minister Sonia Parag; officials from the Schulich School of Business and Schulich ExecEd; and other participants.

During the virtual launch, Anthony noted Guyana’s health ministry has embarked on an aggressive campaign to develop the health-care sector through the construction of several hospitals, including the country’s first Maternal and Paediatric Hospital, as well as several other projects to build and rehabilitate hospitals in the hinterland areas.

“The Government of Guyana is pleased to partner with the Schulich ExecEd Program. We strongly believe that the program will assist our hospital administrators to improve the quality of health care across the country,” said Anthony.

To date, there are 25 participants from across Guyana enrolled in the program.

In November, York University and Schulich ExecEd representatives travelled to Guyana for a meeting to launch the program officially. The event, held Nov. 4, was attended by Mayer and Anthony, along with: Dr. Narendra Singh, York University Board of Governors member, founder and president of Giving Health To Kids (GHTK), and former chief of staff at Humber River Hospital; Robert Lynn, associate director of Schulich ExecEd; Dr. Susan Lieff, program director of the Schulich ExecEd – Guyana Masters Certificate in Hospital Leadership Program; Jeff MacInnis, facilitator for the Schulich ExecEd–Guyana Masters Certificate in Hospital Leadership Program; and Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, chairman of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation and advisor to Guyana’s Minister of Health; and Aruna Faria, administrative manager, Ministry of Health.

“It was truly an honour to meet, learn with and from the 25 health-care leaders who have been selected by the Ministry of Health of the Government of Guyana to participate in the Schulich ExecEd-Guyana Masters Certificate in Hospital Leadership Program. These passionate and innovative individuals are highly committed to the future transformation of health and health care that their government is investing in,” said Lieff.

In addition to officially launching the program, those involved discussed opportunities for additional cohorts and new health-care leadership training programs for physicians, nurses and other health-care professionals in Guyana.

“This team has opened the door to others to capitalize on the limitless potential of this fledgling partnership. As an adviser to the Guyana Government, I know that we want to build on this success. I encourage the University to engage our government more proactively to explore other opportunities, such as nursing,” said Singh.

Symposium focuses on diseases that jump from animals to humans

The 2022 Canada-China Symposium on Modeling, Prevention and Control of Zoonoses, organized by the Canadian Center for Disease Modeling at York University, took place Nov. 11 to 16 and examined how zoonotic disease spreads through humans.

The “2022 Canada-China Symposium on Modeling, Prevention and Control of Zoonoses,” which took place from Nov. 11 to 16 EST (Nov 12 -16, Beijing time UTC+8), co-organized by the Center for Disease Modeling (CDM), was a resounding success. As a collaborative CDM Canada-China program that takes place annually, this year the symposium focused on modelling, prevention and control of zoonoses (infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses, parasites or prions that jump from animals to humans). The symposium brought together more than 100 experts and scholars from across Canada and China in the fields of mathematical modelling for infectious diseases, public health and veterinary public health.

The symposium was presented in a hybrid format
The symposium was presented in a hybrid format

The five-day 2022 Canada-China Symposium was held virtually, and was jointly organized by the CDM, the Center for Mathematical Biosciences of Northeast Normal University, the China Animal Health and Epidemiology Center and the Chinese Society of Mathematical Biology.

This Canada-China event kicked off the first two days with focused, distinguished lectures given by global thought leaders and experts on topics covering the latest development and progress in the field. The remaining three days were filled with invited talks and panel discussions focused on the concept of “one health” and promoting mathematical modeling research in solving practical problems by in-depth coordinated development in multidisciplinary fields, to prevent and control the occurrence and prevalence of zoonotic diseases. The seminar focused on hotspot issues of zoonotic diseases and included eight distinguished lectures, 26 invited talks and six panel discussions involving 22 scholars, which strengthened interdisciplinary and interdepartmental connectivity and cooperation among the scientific community on zoonotic disease modeling, prevention and control.

The 2022 Canada-China Symposium Organizing Committee was co-chaired by York Research Chair, Professor Huaiping Zhu, the director of CDM, and Professor Meng Fan, from Northeast Normal University in China The organizing committee included CDM members Julien Arino (University of Manitoba), Jacques Belair (University of Montreal), Jingan Cui (Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, China), York Mathematics and Statistics Professor Jane Heffernan, Zhen Jin (Shanxi University, China), Wendi Wang (Southwest University, China), Youming Wang (China Animal Health and Epidemiology Center), James Watmough (University of New Brunswick), and Yanni Xiao (Xi’an Jiaotong University, China). York postdoc Pei Yuan and York Program Manager Natasha Ketter were involved in the local supporting committee.

Heffernan, with York Professors Jude Dzevela Kong, Iain Moyles, Woldegebriel Assefa Woldegerima and about 200 graduate students, postdocs and scholars also participated in the event.

The distinguished lectures provided a comprehensive and in-depth elaboration on the challenges, research hotspots, latest progress, prevention and control experience and reflections on the prevention and control of zoonotic diseases.

Kong, Moyles, Assefa Woldegerima and 23 speakers across Canada and China shared their latest research results and frontiers in zoonotic disease modeling, prevention and control, involving a variety of zoonotic diseases such as monkeypox, COVID-19, Lyme disease, Malaria, West Nile Virus fever, Ebola and Brucellosis.

The innovative organizing of the seminar broke down barriers of disciplines, strengthened the transformational connection between individual research, teamwork and scientific research institutions, and promoted the interdisciplinary benign interaction and multi-party cooperation in zoonotic disease modeling, prevention and control. The symposium is not only of great significance for innovating ideas on the prevention and control of zoonoses, but also a beneficial attempt for the deep integration of public health, veterinary public health, mathematical biology and other disciplines, making significant contributions to global research of “one health” framework.

To learn more, visit http://math.nenu.edu.cn/CCSMPCZ/index.htm.

2+3 = A great opportunity for international students at the Faculty of Science

Earth at night was holding in human hands. Earth day. Energy saving concept, Elements of this image furnished by NASA

By Elaine Smith

Organizers of one of the Faculty of Science’s best kept secrets, the 2+2/2+3 Undergraduate International Collaboration Education Programs, anticipate exponential growth, thanks to recent agreements signed with five international partners.

The 2+2/2+3 program is an initiative that allows students from participating universities to spend their first two years of post-secondary education at their home university and the last two or three years of their degree program at York University. Once they complete their degree requirements, they graduate from York with a BA or a BSc degree.

Hugo Chen
Hugo Chen

“The program allows students from abroad to internationalize their degrees in a more affordable way, since they only spend two or three years studying in Canada, rather than their entire undergraduate career,” said Hugo Chen, director of international collaborations and partnerships for the Faculty of Science. “While they are here, they have more career development options and job opportunities and have North American work experience to put on their resumes.”

The 2+2/2+3 program began on a small scale about 18 months ago, but new partnerships and a recruitment effort are expected to yield larger numbers during the coming years. There is market demand across North America for such programs, called transactional education, said Chen, a type of program that is found at numerous institutions, but is more common in business schools than in science. The Faculty of Science identified a demand and acted upon it. Within the past year, they have negotiated the five agreements with international partners, with more likely to follow.

“We receive requests from partner institutions who see the potential benefit from their students,” said Chen. “They also want to partner with well-known institutions.”

Current partners are:

  • Central University of Finance and Economics, School of Insurance (China);
  • Nantong University (China);
  • Shandong University (China);
  • Sunway University (Malaysia); and
  • Xi’an Jiaotong University Suzhou Academy (China).

Incoming students who are accepted by York are eligible for programs in actuarial science, biomedical science, applied mathematics and statistics. Up to two years’ worth of credits are eligible for transfer. They pay tuition to York for only the two or three years of study here, making it more economical for them than spending four or five years as an international student, while still providing them the same credential.

Xinyu Wang took part in the program after completing two years at Shandong University. He currently works as a sales analyst for Huawei in Shenzhen, China.

Xinyu Wang
Xinyu Wang

“I chose York because of its location in Toronto – a large, modern city – and the University has lots of well-known professors to learn from and many Chinese students,” said Wang. “I knew York was good in math and I wanted to get a different view of the world, too.”

He discovered that York University offered him not only theory, but hands-on skills, such as programming. Wang also worked part time and obtained international experience to add to his resume. He also found himself interested in education and remained in Toronto to pursue a master’s degree.

“Studying in another country can change your life,” said Wang. “You meet professors and make friends. It’s not only studying, but student life and work experience. There are lots of choices of things in which you can participate. I have lots of good memories.”

Chen anticipates that more than 100 new students from these partnerships will join York’s Faculty of Science in the Fall 2023 term. As they prepare for life at York, they have access to the services available to all international students.

“Internationalization is part of the Faculty of Science’s strategic plan, as well as York University’s Academic Plan,” he said, “and this begins a new chapter.”

Black Star Collective Gala supports York’s Ghanaian PhD candidates

Med Student / doctor / nurse holding heart-shaped stethoscope

The Black Star Gala, organized by a collective of Toronto-based philanthropists of African descent, will help fund scholarships for York University’s Ghanaian nursing PhD candidates. The event takes place Nov. 18.

York’s ASCEND program will be showcased on the gala’s red carpet for the benefit of West Africa’s future leaders in doctoral nursing education.

ASCEND stands for “Advancing Scholarship and Capacity for Emerging Nursing Doctorates” and is a transformational partnership between York University and the University for Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) in Ghana. ASCEND helps expand the capacity, quality and scope of nursing education programs in both Ghana and Canada, thereby enabling the advancement of prospective nursing scholars. 

Faculty from UHAS will earn their nursing PhD at York University, then – following their doctoral courses – develop and lead nursing-related research programs in Ghana, pursuing sustainable approaches to strengthen both higher education and health systems in West Africa. This partnership helps ensure nursing faculty at UHAS have the advanced credentials and experience needed to enhance the education of the more than 300 nurses and midwives graduating from their programs each year.

York’s ASCEND program is a global partnership focusing on good health and well-being, bringing Ghanaian and Canadian communities together to address the challenges and changing demands for nursing services globally.

The Black Star Collective recognizes the profound impact that the ASCEND program will have for the health of Ghanaians for many years to come. The group celebrates Ghanaian identity and culture within the African diaspora of Toronto by unifying all its members towards a common purpose to elevate the quality of life in Ghana.

The Black Star Gala, of which York University was named this year’s beneficiary, begins Nov. 18 at 5 p.m. at the Mississauga Convention Centre.

Click here for more info and to reserve tickets.

York tapped to enhance China’s international outreach on climate change

A woman signing a document

With the signing of a new international professional development agreement, the Asian Business and Management Program (ABMP) at York University just launched a five-year virtual program to train officials from the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED) Secretariat.

“After a nearly three-year hiatus due to the global pandemic and complex political environment, ABMP is again engaging with officials from China and fostering cooperative relationships between Canada and China, Bernie Frolic, professor emeritus and the executive director of ABMP, said.

Zoom meeting in background, two people's hands holding a small globe in foreground
The Asian Business and Management Program at York University just launched a five-year virtual program to train officials from the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED) Secretariat

ABMP is a unit of the York Centre for Asian Research and is Canada’s largest university-based, non-degree customized training provider for Chinese government officials. Over its 20-year history, it has trained more than 10,000 officials, educators and students from a number of Asian countries. Programs equip participants with the knowledge, skills and expertise needed to better cope with today’s complex environment.

The first year of the new customized virtual training program for Chinese officials – The Art of Communication in Project Management – began in October and focuses on enhancing the participants’ ability to effectively manage large projects involving diverse teams across different cultures and social groups. It was developed through ABMP’s association with the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), an independent think tank dedicated to building the capacity of organizations and governments worldwide to act together on sustainability.

The trainees are drawn from staff in the CCICED Secretariat, which is housed in the Department of International Cooperation of the People’s Republic of China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment. The secretariat is working on a number of international projects related to climate change, including the upcoming United Nations’ Biodiversity Conference of the Parties (COP15) in Montréal. Program participants will be strengthening their interpersonal communication and collaboration skills through a unique multi-dimensional learning journey composed of a detailed survey of their previous project experience, an instructor-led evolving case study project, group coaching sessions, and reflective feedback on their interactions and activities during the COP15 event.

“We are ready to collaborate with Chinese officials to refine and enhance their ability to manage large-scale, multi-stakeholder projects, so they can effectively work with international partners on the pressing problem of addressing climate change,” says Elena Caprioni, ABMP program director.

Call for applications: Ontario/Baden-Württemberg (OBW) Faculty Research Exchange

Lightbulb with the planet earth embedded in it.

The Ontario/Baden-Württemberg (OBW) Faculty Research Exchange offers grants to support research visits to universities in the German state of Baden-Württemberg by faculty members at participating Ontario universities.

While the objective is both to promote new collaborative research partnerships and to strengthen existing partnerships between researchers in Ontario and Baden-Württemberg, applications proposing new partnerships are particularly welcome.

Participation in the OBW Faculty Research Exchange implies a deliberate and active commitment to the project of building durable bridges, at the departmental level, between the universities of Ontario and Baden-Württemberg. Such bridges may yield a variety of benefits, among them student mobility within the framework of the diverse opportunities for students offered by OBW.

These grants are funded by Ontario’s Ministry of Colleges and Universities to assist with travel and living costs associated with such visits. Similar opportunities for faculty members at Baden-Württemberg’s nine research universities to visit Ontario are supported in this program by the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Science, Research and the Arts.

The OBW program was established in 1990 and has since then provided a range of international study and research opportunities for over 2,500 students from the two jurisdictions. In 2010, in celebration of the 20th anniversary of this highly successful academic partnership, the governments of Ontario and Baden-Württemberg agreed to build on the success of the OBW student exchange program with the creation of an exchange program for faculty researchers.

For more information, including funding, eligibility, requirements and application, visit: https://www.yorku.ca/ouinternational/obw-faculty-mobility-program/.

Lassonde Dean appointed to Global Engineering Deans Council

Lassonde School of Engineering Dean FEATURED image for YFile

Lassonde School of Engineering Dean, Jane Goodyer, has been appointed to the executive committee of the Global Engineering Deans Council (GEDC) for a three-year term.

“As GEDC Chair, I would like to congratulate Dr. Jane Goodyer on being elected to the GEDC Executive Committee,” said Sunil Maharaj, University of Pretoria, South Africa. “GEDC being a global organization, we value diversity, inclusion and equity coupled with the expertise and leadership of Dr. Goodyer, will certainly strengthen our organization and global reach.”

In her new role, Goodyer hopes to help pave the way for engineering leaders to network and increase the organization’s membership to further its mission, vision and strategic priorities.

“I’m so honoured to join the executive committee,” said Goodyer. “GEDC is instrumental in bringing together its members from diverse cultures and geo-political spheres with a shared purpose for nurturing the development of locally pertinent and global engineers, dedicated to creating a more just and sustainable world.”

To make education more accessible, advancing women and other underrepresented groups in engineering, Goodyer has led two key initiatives which are breaking down systemic barriers to post-secondary access and success.

The first started in 2016 when she launched engineering outreach programs for girls across New Zealand. Today, she continues this work through Lassonde’s k2i (kindergarten to industry) academy, engaging youth and K-12 educators in hands-on, free STEM programs. Since 2020, k2i has reached more than 4,500 individuals through 130,000 hours of engagement. The academy designs its work alongside some of the largest and most diverse public school boards in Canada, collaborating to dismantle systemic barriers to opportunities in STEM.

The second supports social mobility through the introduction of Canada’s first fully work integrated degree program model. Launching Fall 2023, the new Digital Technologies program removes financial barriers to degree education for learners who work full-time for four years, earning a salary while devoting approximately 20 per cent of their working hours to studying for a Bachelor of Applied Science (BASc). This uniquely flexible, cost-effective alternative to traditional university study allows learners to be fully employed and gain a qualification, without going into debt. Having first piloted this program in New Zealand, Goodyer is now bringing the model to Canada.  

“I’m all about building inclusive, collaborative communities to empower participation, particularly for those underrepresented in STEM,” said Goodyer. “Having worked as a professional and then an academic in the U.K., New Zealand and now Canada, I consider myself a global engineer who truly understands the importance of bringing together people with different perspectives. To advance engineering education and research, it’s these diverse views and experiences which allow us to create solutions and a foundation for tackling global challenges.”

More about the Global Engineering Deans Council

Created in 2008, GEDC’s mission is to serve as a global network of engineering deans and leverage the collective strengths for the advancement of engineering education and research. Each engineering dean brings important, valued perspectives, shaped by their unique professional and personal learning journey. Sharing these stories through the GEDC network enables them to forge human connections and commonalities that foster understanding, ideas and innovation as they strive to transform schools in support of societies.