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Join conversation on moving international mobility towards sustainability, inclusivity and innovation

Photo by Tobias Weinhold on Unsplash

If your work has any connection to international mobility (e.g., exchange, research, programs and courses abroad), you won’t want to miss York University’s upcoming Sustainability and Inclusive Internationalization Virtual Conference slated for Jan. 20 to 22, 2021 – just over a month away.

International Virtual Conference Sustainable and Inclusive Internationalization: Reimagining Approaches in Higher Education in an Era of Global Uncertainties 20 - 22 January 2021The conference is an effort to “reimagine approaches in higher education in an era of uncertainty.” It is a joint endeavour between York International (YI) and the York UNESCO Chair in Reorienting Education Towards Sustainability in collaboration with International Association of Universities (IAU), the Canadian Commission for UNESCO (CCUNESCO) and Okayama University, Japan and funded by the Academic Innovation Fund at York University.

Although higher education has long been a force for cross-cultural exchange and education, even prior to the current pandemic there have been conditions that make it challenging: global geopolitical tensions, economic strains, climate change concerns and systematic racism and exclusion.

Vinitha Gengatharan
Vinitha Gengatharan

“This conference aims to look at internationalization and in particular, student mobility in a world where we are also focused on ensuring that programs are inclusive and sustainable,” said Vinitha Gengatharan, YI’s executive director and co-chair of the conference.

“We will be exploring whether this marks the end of post-secondary internationalization and the related mobility programs or if it marks the beginning of new era based on new models of interaction and exchange.”

Gengatharan hopes that participants will consider questions such as: Where do calls for sustainability and inclusivity and the practice of mobility programs in international education meet? In conversations and in literature, people use buzzwords such as responsible, ethical, sustainable and inclusive in referring to internationalization, but how do these words translate into the global, national and institutional mobility programs?

This conference seeks to encourage higher education institutions to reimagine internationalization of higher education, moving toward a strategy that is more inclusive in terms of participants, locations and new models and contributes towards the UN’s sustainable development goals.

The conference is also part of a larger initiative to support sustainable travel literacy while undertaking study abroad opportunities; it is an opportunity to bring together academics, policy-makers and practitioners in the field of student mobility.

Charles Hopkins, York UNESCO Chair in Reorienting Education Towards Sustainability and co-chair of the conference, added, “The upcoming Sustainability and Inclusive Internationalization Virtual Conference is a product of academics, practitioners and policymakers in higher education collaborating to explore new approaches to bringing international aspects of learning, research and community service as core competencies of all graduates. An understanding of global contexts and the capability to perform in transdisciplinary and intercultural teams is crucial to achieving a sustainable future.

“With this event organized with our international partners, we embrace the spirit of the new York University Academic Plan 2020-2025 in coming together to make positive change for future generations and contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals while enhancing the excellence of our programs.”

The conference will focus on six specific topics:

  • International mobility in practice: institutional, national and regional responses: Examining successful student mobility programs and considering if and how such programs enhance the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
  • Greening student and scholar exchange: Concrete ideas and practices: How do exchange and internationalization activities align with the pursuit towards sustainability?
  • Leveraging technology and digital learning: Can we experience “abroad online?”: York has a burgeoning Globally Networked Learning program. What are the opportunities and limitations of these online experiences?
  • Mobility programs beyond academics: Global and community engagement: How can university mobility programs meet the goal of community service, one of the missions of higher education? 
  • Inclusive student exchanges and experiences: To what extent is internationalization of higher education in sync with or in competition with calls for indigeneity, anti-coloniality, anti-racism and anti-imperiality?
  • Assessment of intercultural development in mobility programs: Can we assess the short- and long-term intercultural learning and development stemming from mobility programs?

The conference is an open forum that will allow participants to tackle these vital questions and related concerns and find workable solutions. It has ambitious, but important goals:

  • bring together mobility experts and coordinators responsible for international services and exchange programs, as well as experts in education for sustainable development (ESD) and global citizenship education (GCED) with policymakers and other practitioners;
  • develop a Toronto 2021 York Declaration on responsible mobility in higher education: while recognizing the importance of international student and research mobility, higher education carries a responsibility to understand their impact in contexts of addressing both globalization and sustainability;
  • contribute to the future of international education and sustainability in a new era of global uncertainties (post COVID-19);
  • bring forward international mobility discussions beyond student exchange to include innovative and inclusive global learning models and pedagogies; and
  • develop a strategy for ongoing networking and sharing in research and capacity building within the field that will extend well beyond the conference.

With discussion focused on the challenges, benefits, impacts and shifting nature of international mobility at educational institutions, faculty, staff and students who have an interest in sustainability; diversity, equity and inclusion; and international mobility/exchange will have the opportunity to contribute and shape the future of global exchanges among post-secondary institutions. Join the conversations – the early bird registration deadline is Dec. 21. Register here.

For more information, contact: Wessen Rawazik, project officer for York International, wessenr@yorku.ca; Helen Balderama, York International, associate director, International Partnerships and Programs, helencb@yorku.ca; or Katrin Kohl, executive coordinator to the UNESCO Chair in, Reorienting Education Towards Sustainability, kkohl@edu.yorku.ca.

By Elaine Smith, contributing writer

Calling all innovators: Phase 4 of York University’s Academic Innovation Fund now open for submissions

Students gather around a computer

Do you have a great idea or concept for how to expand and advance York University’s priorities in eLearning, experiential education (EE), student success, internationalization or the scholarship of teaching and learning? Why not consider putting your ideas into action by developing a project submission for consideration as part of Phase Four of York University’s extraordinarily successful Academic Innovation Fund (AIF).

A total of $1.5 million will be available annually over each of the next three years for projects advancing York University’s priorities in eLearning, EE, student success, internationalization and the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL). A focus for the upcoming year is the embedding of strategies that explicitly advance the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals within curriculum in alignment with AIF priorities.

Will Gage
Will Gage

“I’m really excited for this year’s AIF call for applications. So many amazing and transformative academic innovations have evolved out of the AIF program over the years, including the award-winning C4 program,” says Will Gage, associate vice-president Teaching and Learning. “And in addition to inviting applications focused on technology-enhanced learning and EE, and other areas, I am excited to share a focus on emerging areas of curriculum design and delivery, the perpetual course model and the embedding of sustainable development goals (SDGs) in our programs.”

Details of the call for proposals can be found on the AIF website. The deadline for submissions is Friday, Feb. 5, 2021, by 4 p.m.

The 2021-22 call for proposals will prioritize the following areas:

  • embedding eLearning within undergraduate or graduate degree programs using blended or fully online strategies (see eLearning Common Language document), and/or
  • embedding experiential education within undergraduate or graduate degree programs through community focused and/or work focused EE strategies with a focus on virtual and remote EE approaches (see EE Common Language document), which might include or focus on entrepreneurialism in the curriculum, and/or
  • embedding student success and retention strategies within the curriculum in undergraduate degree programs in all years of study, and/or
  • embedding internationalization within undergraduate or graduate degree programs; internationalization of curriculum implies integrating an intercultural dimension into the learning and teaching process so that students can acquire an appreciation and understanding of international perspectives and competencies.

Some ways to achieve internationalization of the curriculum are:

  • by integrating intercultural or comparative focus with existing courses and/or degree programs;
  • designing summer abroad courses, programs, field schools and integrating international internships;
  • developing and implementing technological tools to support internationalization of the curriculum.

There are three categories of funding: Category I funding supports academic innovation projects; Category II funding supports course development projects; and Category III funding supports the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning projects.

All project submissions will be reviewed, approved and ranked by the Office of the Dean before being submitted to the Office of the Associate Vice-President Teaching and Learning. Faculties are encouraged to set their own application deadlines. The AIF Steering Committee, chaired by Gage, will review all proposals and provide recommendations to the Provost & Vice-President Academic, Lisa Philipps for final approval.

Details on Phase Four of the AIF along with submission development instructions and forms can be found on the AIF website.

More about the Academic Innovation Fund

The AIF was created in 2010 to encourage innovation in teaching, learning and the student experience. The purpose of the AIF is to support the implementation of projects to advance York University’s institutional priorities that are articulated in York University’s Academic Plan for 2020 to 2025, the Strategic Mandate Agreement and the Institutional Integrated Resource Plan. These priorities are eLearning, EE, student success and retention strategies within the curriculum, and internationalization. The AIF is intended to encourage innovation and change at York University by supporting new initiatives or those that extend current initiatives in a significant way.

The success of past AIF initiatives has allowed York University to build pan-institutional strategies and systems supporting the further growth and development of curricular innovation. Many students at York University are benefiting from these innovations. Information about past projects that received funding can be found on the AIF website.

Championing Indigenous voices and inclusion

Artwork by Métis (Otipemisiwak) artist Christi Belcourt
Artwork by Métis (Otipemisiwak) artist Christi Belcourt
Artwork by Métis (Otipemisiwak) artist Christi Belcourt

This month marks the fifth anniversary of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s report. In reaching this milestone, there is opportunity to pause and reflect on actions taken to date and the ongoing commitment to change at York.

While indigenization varies across Ontario universities, incorporating Indigenous histories, cultures, knowledges, ways of knowing and being, traditions and culturally appropriate supports remains essential to responding to the TRC’s recommendations. Meeting the needs and challenges that educators face is also an important part of achieving success in these efforts.

To gain a better understanding of the experiences of Indigenous faculty members across Ontario universities and to provide an opportunity to enhance support for the inclusion of Indigenous voices and Peoples on campuses, the Council of Ontario Universities (COU) undertook a survey of Indigenous faculty in 2019.

Findings were published this week in, Lighting the Fire: Experiences of Indigenous Faculty in Ontario Universities. The report offers valuable insights from colleagues across the sector and combined with reflections and perspectives from the community, it has the potential to help inform future strategies at the university.

Members of the York community, Indigenous staff and faculty, as well as Indigenous Council representatives have championed this work at York by participating in the survey and continuing to work towards ensuring that the university remains strongly inclusive of Indigenous Peoples, culture and knowledge.

The commitment to transformation touches all areas of university life, from governance to students, faculty and the wider community. York’s Indigenous Framework for York University: A Guide to Action sets a course for the university to increase the number of Indigenous faculty while enhancing recruitment efforts and the academic success of Indigenous students. It also prioritizes the expansion of Indigenous programming and curricular offerings that explore Indigenous life, culture and traditions.

While updates on progress continue to be made, at this five-year mark, great strides have been made towards achieving the objectives of the framework, as the University has:

  • Hired 15 Indigenous faculty members to advance knowledge and programming.
  • Chartering the Centre for Indigenous Knowledge and Languages (CIKL), which will be launched in summer 2021, to support both knowledge production and dissemination by Indigenous and non-Indigenous scholars.
  • Created a suite of programming, from the Waaban Indigenous Teacher Education BEd, to MEd and PhD programs in Urban Indigenous Education, an Indigenous Studies Program as well as a course for high school students that aims to forge positive relationships with self-identified Indigenous students.
  • Developed a Decolonizing Research Services Report, which made eight recommendations to the vice-president of research and innovation (VPRI) that are currently being implemented with guidance from the Indigenous Council.

While more work lies ahead, the commitment to advancing the goals of the framework remains strong. With the plans to create a new Centre for Indigenous Knowledge and other initiatives underway now, there will be even more to report at the next milestone.

Increasing cybersecurity at York University with two-factor authentication

Person working on a computer

York University’s Information Technology department is introducing two-factor authentication (2FA) powered by Duo security.

The recent cyberattacks on York University have heightened the community’s awareness, concerns and expectations around privacy and security issues. Cybersecurity best practices are showing that two-factor authentication (2FA) is one of the most effective tools for preventing phishing and targeted attacks on your accounts and data.

As most are aware from personal experiences with online access to bank accounts, personal email, etc., 2FA is a security process that adds a second layer of protection to your York accounts. It requires a second source of validation such as your smartphone to verify your login before granting you access. This way, even if your password were compromised, your account would be protected by 2FA.

“Security breaches due to compromised credentials have unfortunately been on the rise in all industries, including education. Duo 2FA is very easy to use and is as convenient as using your smartphone, which most of us carry with us everywhere,” says Chris Russel, chief information security officer. “Using the Duo Mobile app on your smartphone is fast and easy to set up, and most users prefer this since it provides the most secure and convenient way to validate your logins. There are other options for your second factor also available to fit everyone’s use case. At present we have about 500 early adopters from several departments across the University, all using 2FA successfully.”

Some of the benefits of 2FA include:

  • protection of your York accounts and data from others accessing your account, even if they know your password;
  • protection of all major York applications using Passport York, including Office 365;
  • one-press login validation for the most secure and convenient experience with Duo Mobile authentication, which can work with or without cellular data or Wi-Fi access;  and
  • free Duo Mobile app download for iOS and Android.

Faculty and staff will receive communication shortly on next steps, enrollment dates and instructions. The 2FA enrollment process will begin with faculty and staff, followed by students, in the new year. The information security team anticipates all active students, faculty and staff will be enrolled and activated on 2FA by end of April 2021.

To learn more about Duo two-factor authentication, visit the Information Security at York website.

Cybersécurité accrue à York

Le Département des technologies de l’information de l’Université York a le plaisir d’annoncer la mise en place de l’authentification à deux facteurs (2FA) générée par Duo Security.

Les cyberattaques récentes contre York ont accru la sensibilisation, les préoccupations et les attentes de notre communauté en matière de vie privée et de sécurité. Les meilleures pratiques en matière de cybersécurité montrent que l’authentification à deux facteurs (2FA) est l’un des outils les plus efficaces pour prévenir l’hameçonnage et les attaques ciblées sur vos comptes et vos données.

Comme vous le savez sans doute par expérience personnelle (accès à des comptes bancaires en ligne, au courrier électronique, etc.), l’authentification à deux facteurs ajoute un niveau supplémentaire de sécurité à vos comptes York. La 2FA requiert une deuxième source de validation — comme votre téléphone intelligent — pour vérifier votre identité avant de vous laisser accéder à votre compte. Ainsi, le compte sera protégé par la 2FA, même si votre mot de passe a été compromis.

« Les atteintes à la sécurité en raison de données d’identification compromises sont malheureusement en hausse dans tous les secteurs, y compris celui de l’éducation, explique Chris Russel, officier principal de la sécurité de l’information. Duo 2FA est très facile à utiliser. Elle nécessite seulement un second facteur, comme un téléphone intelligent que la plupart d’entre nous ont toujours à portée de la main. L’application Duo Mobile peut être installée rapidement et facilement sur votre téléphone. La majorité des utilisateurs préfèrent cette solution, car elle constitue le moyen le plus sécuritaire et le plus pratique de confirmer votre identité, mais il existe d’autres options pour le deuxième facteur d’authentification. Environ 500 personnes de plusieurs départements universitaires utilisent déjà la 2FA sans aucun problème. »

Quelques avantages de la 2FA : 

  • Protection de vos comptes York et de vos données contre l’accès de toute tierce personne, même si cette dernière connaît votre mot de passe;
  • Protection de toutes les applications principales de York utilisant Passport York, y compris Office 365;
  • Validation avec un seul clic pour une expérience plus sûre et plus pratique avec l’authentification Duo Mobile, qui peut fonctionner avec ou sans données cellulaires ou accès Wi-Fi;
  • Téléchargement gratuit de l’application Duo Mobile pour iOS et Android.

Le corps enseignant et le personnel recevront bientôt des communications sur les prochaines étapes qui comprendront des instructions et les dates d’inscription à la 2FA. Le corps enseignant et le personnel s’inscriront en premier. Ensuite, ce sera le tour du corps étudiant. L’équipe chargée de la sécurité de l’information prévoit que tous les étudiants actifs et les membres du corps enseignant et du personnel seront inscrits et utiliseront la 2FA d’ici la fin avril 2021.

Pour en savoir plus sur l’authentification Duo 2FA, veuillez visiter le site Web Information Security at York.

York University launches Canada’s first post-secondary DevOps program during a crucial time of digital transformation

typing writing computer

York University’s School of Continuing Studies will launch Canada’s first university-level Certificate in DevOps in May 2021 to help fill the labour shortage in this rapidly growing technical field.

DevOps is a methodology that combines software development (Dev) and information-technology operations (Ops) to shorten the systems development life cycle while focusing on quality and continuous delivery. DevOps enables separate roles to coordinate and collaborate to better produce digital products and respond to customer needs.

“This program answers a need in the market today, as more and more organizations look to harness the power of the cloud to modernize their businesses and deliver new and improved services to customers,” said Rejean Bourgault, country manager of Public Sector, Amazon Web Services (AWS) Canada, Inc. “DevOps is a growing discipline across organizations, and we support York’s commitment to developing programs that bridge the IT upskilling gap in Canada.”

According to Gartner’s 2019 priority matrix, DevOps will play a central role in organizations undergoing digital transformation over the next two to five years. During the pandemic, many businesses have moved portions of their operations to online delivery or created new digital products in short order. For industries immersed in developing software and digital products today, DevOps adoption would have transformational benefits.

In a 2020 report of top 15 emerging jobs in Canada, the DevOps engineer role was listed at number seven. Organizations across Canada and the GTA are looking for ways to best staff their teams for DevOps roles, but are facing challenges finding talent. The School of Continuing Studies’ new Certificate in DevOps aims to address this talent shortage by providing IT professionals with a robust skillset so they can help facilitate a DevOps cultural and technological transformation within their organizations.

Tracey Taylor-O’Reilly
Tracey Taylor-O’Reilly

“Although the pandemic has slowed or stalled hiring in many industries, emerging technical professions, such as DevOps, are still experiencing labour shortages during this critical, transitional time in tech fields,” said Tracey Taylor-O’Reilly, assistant vice-president, Continuing Studies. “Our research indicates that many GTA organizations are at various stages of DevOps adoption. The School’s innovative Certificate in DevOps – the first of its kind in Canada – I’m proud to say, will help mid-career IT professionals change or advance their careers by gaining applied knowledge in this discipline. They will graduate with the skills and confidence to pursue DevOps opportunities and emerge as leaders in this new, exciting profession.”

The School’s continued growth in its portfolio of programs complements York University’s commitment to creating diverse, new professional programs with flexible delivery options. Professional programs like the Certificate in DevOps have also opened York University to new national and international audiences and contributed to York’s reputation as a leader in providing life-long learning options.

The Certificate in DevOps is developed through collaborative relationships with industry leaders like Fahd Gulzar, Amazon Web Services national programs lead, Canada Public Sector. The program is also taught by industry expert instructors to ensure students are receiving a current and relevant education.

The program’s part-time, online and accelerated delivery format allows students to graduate faster and pursue career advancement opportunities in just six months. Students enrolled in the program will deepen their understanding of how DevOps can provide operational and technological benefits to an organization and how to implement best practices that derive maximum value using Agile project management methodologies.

The School’s Certificate in DevOps will also allow enrolled students to go deep on specialized knowledge. The program’s curriculum includes experiential learning activities and case studies on successful DevOps implementations. Students will engage in lessons to successfully construct a DevOps automated pipeline using trending tools such as Gitlab, Ansible, Jenkins, Docker, Kubernetes with Helm, Terraform, Prometheus and Grafana.

Students also have the added advantage of completing this program as part of a cohort. This means they will advance through the program with the same set of working professionals, encouraging peer-to-peer collaboration and growing their professional networks.

The new Certificate in DevOps is now open for registration with classes beginning May 3, 2021.

York journal explores academic motherhood and COVID-19 in special double issue

Black single frustrated woman hold her head with hands sitting on chair in living room, playful kids jumping on couch on a background. Tiredness, depression difficult to educate children alone concept

Twenty-seven female scholars have contributed to a special double issue of York University’s Journal of the Motherhood Initiative for Research and Community Involvement (JMI) exploring the theme of ‘Academic Motherhood and COVID-19.’

Published as the double issue for fall 2020 and spring 2021, the journal features 18 articles that investigate different lines of inquiry as to how COVID-19 affects motherhood for those in an academic role.

Andrea O'Reilly
Andrea O’Reilly

Andrea O’Reilly, York University professor in the School of Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies, Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies, is the journal’s founder and editor-in-chief.

There has been little research on the specific impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mothers and motherwork, says O’Reilly, adding that this special double issue is the first to explore the impact of the pandemic on academic mothers’ care and wage labour.

With a global perspective (Australia, Brazil, Canada, Kazakhstan and the United States) and from the standpoint of single, partnered, and racialized mothers in the academe as graduate students and faculty, the issue examines: the increasing complexity and demands of childcare, domestic labour, elder care and home schooling under the pandemic protocols; the intricacies and difficulties of performing wage labour at home; the impact of the pandemic on mothers’ academic employment and/or study; and the strategies academic mothers have used to manage the competing demands of care and wage labour under COVID-19.

Contributing to this issue is Tracey Norman, a contract faculty member in the Department of Dance, School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design. Norman is a Toronto-based choreographer, educator, producer, performer, researcher and mother of two young children. Her choreography has been presented on stages across North America. She holds a MFA in choreography and dramaturgy, and is current president and resident artist of the Intergalactic Arts Collective (IGAC), an artist-run organization that focuses on research and creation.

Journal of the Motherhood Initiative cover

In her contribution, titled “Problematic Intersections: Dance, Motherhood, and the Pandemic,” she discusses her experience of mothering and working through the pandemic. Largely presented in the form of testimonials, the article shares insights from her interviews with 40 mothers who are scholars and artists working in either or both academic dance and professional artist work.

“This article examines the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on an already vulnerable group of Canadian artists and scholars in the field of dance,” the article’s introduction reads. “The aim of this article is to interrogate the systemic problems mothers have always faced in the dance field, which have now been magnified by the COVID-19 pandemic, and to highlight the positive contributions coming out of this time of crisis, including requesting reasonable and honest support as well as eliminating the social stigma around motherhood in dance.”

For a full outline of the special double issue and access to all of the articles, visit the issue link.

JMI is a product of The Motherhood Initiative for Research and Community Involvement (MIRCI), a peer-reviewed feminist scholarly and activist organization on mothering-motherhood developed from the former Association for Research on Mothering at York University (1998-2010). The initiative houses JMI (formerly the Journal of the Association for Research on Mothering), Mother Outlaws, The International Mothers Network, The Young Mothers Empowerment Project, The Motherhood Studies Forum and is partnered with Demeter Press.

JMI was developed to be an integral part of community building for researchers, academics and grassroots, as well as mothers interested in the topic of motherhood. The mandate of the journal is to publish the most current, high-quality scholarship on mothering-motherhood and to ensure that this scholarship considers motherhood in an international context and from a multitude of perspectives including differences of class, race, sexuality, age, ethnicity, ability and nationality.

Twelve York grads earn spot in Canada’s Most Powerful Women Top 100

Image announcing Awards

Twelve York University alumnae have been recognized as female leaders in Canada who work to build positive change and empower others. The women are recipients of the WXN Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Awards for 2020.

WXN is a Canadian national organization that celebrates the advancement of women. Launched in 2003, the Canada’s Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Awards celebrate the incredible accomplishments of Canada’s top female executive talent as well as their organizations and networks.

The awards are organized into 13 categories. Below are this year’s winners and the categories for which they were recognized.

Cynthia Loyst
Cynthia Loyst

Cynthia Loyst, co-host, creator and CEO of The Social, is a York University alumna with a BFA (’98) and selected in the Arts, Sports & Entertainment category. A passionate advocate for healthy sexual information, Loyst is best known for giving advice and opinions on the joys and complications of love. A writer, public speaker and co-host on CTV’s The Social, she has shared her expertise on The Marilyn Denis Show, etalk, CTV News Channel, The Loop and various radio stations. Her website, FindYourPleasure.com, is dedicated to pleasure, sensuality and unadulterated joy. Last year, she published her national bestseller book, Find Your Pleasure.

Stachen Frederick
Stachen Frederick

Stachen Frederick, executive director at Weston Frontlines Centre, is a York University alumna with a BSW (’13) and selected in the category Mercedes-Benz Emerging Leaders. Weston Frontlines Centre (WFC) is a youth charity in Toronto that offers children and youth a safe, welcoming place away from the streets. Frederick is also founder of the international organization BrAIDS for AIDS, which promotes HIV/AIDS awareness and provides access to resources for Black communities through culturally appropriate practices. As well, Frederick is a professor at Sheridan College in the School of Social Work and a consultant/grant writing coach.

Lorraine Gray
Lorraine Gray

Lorraine Gray, superintendent at Stations Services, Hydro One, is an alumna with an MBA (’09) and selected in the Mercedes-Benz Emerging Leaders category. Gray is a professional engineer with 15 years of experience at Hydro One, 12 of which have been in leadership positions. In her current role, she is responsible for one of six zones covering the Province of Ontario. Today she leads more than 100 employees that in-service and maintain crucial electricity equipment. She is one of only three women to ever hold this position and is a fierce advocate for women pursuing non-traditional roles.

Fatema Pirone
Fatema Pirone

Fatema Pirone, senior director of Enterprise Innovation at CIBC, is a York University alumna with a BA (’07) and an EMBA (’16) and selected in the Mercedes-Benz Emerging Leaders category. Pirone is a bold leader who constantly strives to create impactful change; qualities that have driven her dynamic career at CIBC. She is a trailblazer who redefined innovation across the bank, evolving CIBC’s Innovation mandate from a simple vision to an established unit. Her leadership provokes thoughtful conversations, results in impactful execution and creates purposeful client experiences.

Reetu Gupta
Reetu Gupta

Reetu Gupta, president and CEO of Easton’s Group Hotel, The Gupta Group, The Gupta Family Foundation; and chief strategy officer, Rogue Insight Capital, is a York University alumna with an MBA (’08) and selected in the category BMO Entrepreneurs. Gupta is a force to be reckoned with, sitting as the CEO of three companies, and co-founder of Rogue Insight Capital. She was honoured with the distinction of WXN’s Top 100 Most Powerful Women in 2019 as well as Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 in June 2017. She is wildly passionate and with this energy she continues to exceed excellence and is an inspiration not only in her industry, but for women everywhere.

Caroline Cole Power
Caroline Cole Power

Caroline Cole Power, founder and chief executive officer at Canadian HR Solutions, Inc., is a York University alumna with a BAS (’95) and selected in the BMO Entrepreneurs category. Cole Power launched Canadian HR Solutions, Inc. in 2010. She has since expanded the company’s footprint to 10 Canadian cities and established a national facilitator network to serve clients from coast to coast to coast. Operating divisions include Canadian HR Academy; Sensitivity Training Canada, a provider of Respectful Workplace Training; and Worldwide Workplace Learning, a provider of workplace-related online courses in English, French and Spanish.

Jane A. Langford
Jane A. Langford

Jane A. Langford, senior vice-president, Legal at TD Bank, is a York University alumna with an LLB (’95) and selected in the CIBC Executive Leaders category. Langford is a proven leader and a sought-after critical and innovative thinker. After 15 years as a litigator, including partner at McCarthy Tétrault LLP, she moved to the corporate world. At the helm of TD’s Canadian legal department, she provides strategic counsel on all aspects of the bank’s operations. She is a champion for women’s economic and professional advancement and a tireless advocate for diversity, in boardrooms throughout the workplace and community.

Effie Simanikas
Effie Simanikas

Effie Simanikas, vice-president, Operations, Finance and Information Technology, IAMGOLD, is a York University alumna with an MBA (’01) and selected in the CIBC Executive Leaders category. After holding executive roles in multiple sectors, Simanikas joined IAMGOLD in 2011. She has also played a key role in evaluating several growth options that led to IAMGOLD’s current transformational growth strategy. She serves on several Cote Gold joint venture committees, is a board member of Euro Ressources, and is actively involved in several organizations committed to women’s career advancement, including the WXN’s Diversity Council.

Susan Uthayakumar
Susan Uthayakumar

Susan Uthayakumar, country president at Schneider Electric Canada, is a York University alumna with an EMBA (’12) and selected in the CIBC Executive Leaders category. Uthayakumar has been with Schneider Electric for 15 years, progressing through increasingly senior roles until being appointed country president in January 2018. Throughout her 23-year career, her demonstrated ability to break down barriers and turn challenges into opportunities has empowered her to chart a path of success. She is an influential voice in the industry, and is passionate about building the next generation of leaders.

Catherine Yuile
Catherine Yuile

Catherine Yuile, executive vice-president, Data Intelligence, Canada and Latin America, Edelman, is a York University alumna with a BA (’01) and selected in the CIBC Executive Leaders category. A marketing and communications research veteran, Yuile is an active, inclusive leader on Edelman’s Global Women’s Equality Network (GWEN) steering committee, driving initiatives and events that support women’s success in the workplace. She volunteers on multiple boards to drive the research and analytics industry forward and supports diversity and inclusion in business, including the Insights Association and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce’s Council Working Group for Women’s Advocacy.

Rusul Alrubail
Rusul Alrubail

Rusul Alrubail, executive director at Parkdale Centre for Innovation, is a York University alumna with a BA (’07) from Glendon, and is a former York University staff member, selected in the Manulife Science and Technology category. Alrubail is the executive director of Parkdale Centre for Innovation, a non-profit incubator that seeks to fill the accessibility and inclusivity gap to innovation, technology and entrepreneurship, especially for underrepresented groups: women of colour, newcomers, and those from low-income backgrounds. She is also a published author, keynote speaker and mother of two.

Lucia Iacovelli
Lucia Iacovelli

Lucia Iacovelli, Canadian managing partner, Tax & Legal, KPMG in Canada, is a York University alumna with a BAS (’90) and selected in the Intact Professionals category. Iacovelli is KPMG’s Canadian managing partner for Tax and Legal and a member of the firm’s Management Committee. She is focused on setting strategic direction for clients and markets, people and knowledge, operational excellence, and public trust and quality. As a member of the firm’s Global Tax Steering Committee, she is also involved in helping define the firm’s strategic priorities globally. Iacovelli uses her influence and her voice to ensure various leadership tables are balanced with female leaders.

These women join a prestigious community of past award winners, including Canada’s most iconic women trailblazers: former Osgoode Interim Dean Mary Condon; Provost and Vice-President Academic Lisa Philipps; York President and Vice-Chancellor Rhonda L. Lenton; Julia Foster, former Chair of the Board of Governors of York University; bestselling author Margaret Atwood; astronaut Roberta Bondar; Arlene Dickinson, chief executive officer, Venture Communications; Christine Magee, president, Sleep Country Canada; Michaëlle Jean, former governor general of Canada; Heather Reisman, founder and CEO of Indigo Books & Music; and York University alumna Kathleen Taylor, Chair of the board, Royal Bank of Canada.

For a complete list of winners, visit the WXN website.

About the Women’s Executive Network (WXN)

WXN inspires smart women to lead. WXN creates and delivers innovative networking, mentoring, professional and personal development to inform, inspire, connect and recognize its community of more than 19,500 smart women and their organizations in the pursuit of excellence. WXN enables its partners and corporate members to become and to be recognized as employers of choice and leaders in the advancement of women.

Founded in 1997, WXN is Canada’s leading organization dedicated to the advancement and recognition of women in management, executive, professional and board roles. WXN is a founding member of the Canadian Board Diversity Council, dedicated to increasing the diversity of Canada’s corporate boards. In 2008, WXN launched in Ireland, followed by London, U.K., in 2015, creating an international community of female leaders.

Faculty of Science graduate students making waves with AI wig-fitting technology

Artificial Intelligence FEATURED image

Graduate students from the Faculty of Science’s Department of Mathematics and Statistics have developed an Artificial Intelligence (AI) platform with a surprising real-world application: online wig shopping.

Andre Huang and Anna Du created the technology for use by Essence Luxe Couture, founded by Schulich alumna and LaunchYU Accelerator entrepreneur, Akosua Asare.
Using the power of AI, customers can virtually try on wigs in the comfort of their own home. The company and its unique technology were recently featured on Dragons’ Den.

Conducted under the supervision of Department of Mathematics and Statistics Professors Michael Chen and Hongmei Zhu, the project uses AI to analyze users’ facial features, skin tone and facial structure, offering virtual recommendations of styles and colours that are most suitable to customers. The project has created a dramatic increase in Essence Luxe Couture’s customer satisfaction – and an invaluable learning opportunity for students.

Faculty of Science researchers used Zoom to conduct meetings with Company CEO and Schulich Alumni Akosua Asare throughout the project. Pictured: Akosua Asare, Michael Chen, Hongmei Zhu, Anna Du, and Andre Huang.
Faculty of Science researchers used Zoom to conduct meetings with Company CEO and Schulich Alumna Akosua Asare throughout the project. Pictured: Akosua Asare, Michael Chen, Hongmei Zhu, Anna Du and Andre Huang.

“AI is not the future anymore; it is already here,” says Chen. “Our economy is increasingly driven by AI, so projects like this, which offer our students essential experience developing an AI application in a real-world setting, are crucial.”

The work is supported by a Smart Computing for Innovation (SOSCIP) project with the Department of Mathematics and Statistics Associate Professor Michael Chen, a collaboration that was facilitated by Innovation York’s industry engagement unit. Backed by funding from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC IRAP), SOSCIP’s Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) Accelerated Platforms were able to provide as much as 97 per cent accuracy on face shape classification.

Akosua Asare on the Dragons Den
Akosua Asare on Dragons’ Den

“Seamlessly integrating AI into the daily lives of online shoppers is much needed now, especially due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” says Zhu. “This demand will continue to increase as AI and deep learning are now an integrated and essential part of the e-commerce operation and retail experience.”

The technology supplied by Faculty of Science graduate students has undoubtedly contributed to Essence Luxe Couture’s success: the company’s founder landed a deal on Dragons’ Den for a $150,000 business investment for 25 per cent of her company. You can watch Asare’s pitch on Dragons’ Den here.

Watch live broadcast as Jupiter and Saturn move closest together since 1623

Prof Paul Delaney with the new telescope at York University
Prof Paul Delaney with the new telescope at York University

Gas planets Jupiter and Saturn will move within 0.1 degrees of each other, appearing like a giant star in the night sky, and York University’s Allan I. Carswell Observatory will broadcast the event on Dec. 21 – clear skies permitting – through its YouTube channel, offering a live view through the one-metre telescope. 

Paul Delaney with the new telescope
Professor Paul Delaney stands with the one-metre telescope

“This will be the closest they’ve been to each other since 1623,” says Assistant Professor Elaina Hyde of York University’s Faculty of Science. 

“This means the planets Jupiter and Saturn will be so close together, you would be able to easily cover them both with a pinkie finger held outstretched towards the sky, so close it will appear as a single bright star.”

In the weeks leading up to what’s called the “Great Conjunction” on Dec. 21, Jupiter and Saturn will be visible low in the western sky just after sunset. The two planets will get closer to each other until they will reach their closest pass. 

A conjunction of Jupiter and Saturn only happens about once every 20 years.

The live YouTube event is scheduled to take place from 4 to 6 p.m. To watch it online, visit this link. 

For more information, visit the Allan I. Carswell Observatory website.

Order of Canada appoints 15 individuals with York University connections

Image shows the Order of Canada medals laid out on a black backgroundFifteen individuals with an affiliation to York University have been appointed to the Order of Canada, as announced on Nov. 27.

The individuals from the York University community are among 114 new appointees to the Order of Canada and includes two invested as officers (O.C.) and 13 invested as members (C.M.).

Officers of the Order of Canada

William C. Graham was appointed for his sustained contributions to politics and academia, and for his philanthropic endeavours. Graham is a York University donor. This appointment is a promotion within the Order.

Sheldon Levy was appointed for his exceptional leadership as an education administrator and for promoting student entrepreneur incubators on university campuses across the country. Levy is a York University alumnus, honourary alumnus and former vice-president of institutional affairs.

Members of the Order of Canada

Daniel R. Bereskin was appointed for his leadership in the field of intellectual property law and trademark law in Canada and abroad. Bereskin is a York University donor.

B. Denham Jolly was appointed for his contributions to the promotion of equity and opportunity within the Greater Toronto Area’s Black community. Jolly is a York University donor.

James M. Drake was appointed for his leadership in the field of pediatric neurosurgery and for his contributions to the treatment of complex childhood disorders. Drake is a York University donor.

Philip Michael Epstein was appointed for his leadership in Canadian family law and for pioneering programs in dispute resolution now emulated across the country. Epstein is a York University donor.

Anthony Olmsted Hendrie was appointed for his volunteerism and philanthropy in support of a wide range of causes over the past 60 years. Hendrie is an alumnus and York University donor.

William Macdonald was appointed for his distinguished career as a law practitioner and for his expert counsel on national public policy issues. Macdonald is an alumnus and York University donor.

Judy Matthews was appointed for her groundbreaking contributions to Toronto’s cultural and urban landscapes, as an urban planner and philanthropist. Matthews is an alumna and York University donor.

Sarah Milroy was appointed for promoting Canadian art and artists through her roles as editor, publisher, critic and curator. Milroy is a York University donor.

Peggy Nash was appointed for her contributions to women’s employment equity, human rights and gender representation in all levels of public office. Nash is an alumna.

Glenn O’Farrell was appointed for his vision for education and for his leadership in communications, having positioned a media outlet as a global symbol of French language and culture. O’Farrell holds a certificate from the Schulich Executive Education Centre.

Christina Petrowska Quilico was appointed for her celebrated career as a classical and contemporary pianist, and for championing Canadian music. Petrowska Quilico is a faculty member.

Allan Michael Rock was appointed for his contributions to the advancement of human rights and global humanitarian issues, and to the fields of law, politics and education. Rock is a College Fellow (McLaughlin College) and a York University donor.

Stefan Glenn Sigurdson was appointed for his dexterous relationship-building skills and for his contributions to alternative dispute resolution across Canada and beyond. Sigurdson is an alumnus and York University donor.