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Schulich launches Schulich Venture Academy with star faculty team

diverse group of workers collaborating in meeting room

The Schulich School of Business at York University announced the launch of the Schulich Venture Academy – a new talent upskilling program for tech professionals featuring a star group of program directors from Canada’s startup ecosystem.

The Schulich Venture Academy will launch four Schulich Masterclass Venture Certificates focused on leadership roles, identified by Schulich and its faculty, industry advisors and alumni as crucial to fuelling the country’s next wave of tech ecosystem growth.

The inaugural four Masterclass Venture Certificates and program directors are:

Schulich Masterclass Certificate in Venture Finance with Leen Li, CEO at Wealthsimple Foundation and former CFO at Wealthsimple

Li will focus on teaching the next generation of finance professionals how to scale a venture-backed company and says: “After a long career, I am honoured to contribute my expertise through the Schulich Venture Academy. Scaling start-ups is a nuanced and complex process, which needs leaders in finance, operations and more to be nurtured in their specific roles.”

Schulich Masterclass Certificate in Venture Talent with Jenny Do Forno, head of talent at OMERS Ventures, which boasts $1.8 billion under its management

Do Forno will work with talent people professionals to teach them advanced strategies for attracting, retaining and developing talent in a venture-backed company and says: “This new Academy has the potential to have a deep impact on Canada’s startup ecosystem. People and talent strategies play a pivotal role in creating standout Canadian companies and, as a veteran in the industry, I feel privileged to be part of building the next generation of talent leaders.”

Schulich Masterclass Certificate in Venture Operations with Izabella Gabowicz, vice-president of operations at Q2 and former COO at Sensibill, which raised $57 million and was acquired last year

Gabowicz will work with professionals in operations to dig deeper into the metrics, systems and strategies required to scale operations in a venture-backed company and says: “As an operator who’s lived through raising, scaling and selling a startup, I can attest that having the right talent who understands these needs is critical. In being a part of this national initiative to educate our future leaders, I look forward to giving back and cultivating the next generation of Canadian startup talent.”

Schulich Masterclass Certificate in Venture Capital with Prashant Matta, general partner at Panache Ventures and one of Canada’s most highly regarded venture capitalists (VC)

Matta will work with aspiring and growth-minded VC professionals to take their investing and career strategies to the next level and build the next generation of Canadian VC talent to support venture-backed firms across the country. Says Matta: “I’m thrilled to be part of the Schulich Venture Academy, which is committed to changing the way we develop startup talent. As one of Canada’s most active early-stage VCs, I know this will make a difference in how Canadian startups compete and scale.”

Schulich also announced it will be taking applications of interest for a fifth Masterclass Venture Certificate from potential program directors at its booth at Collision Conference 2023 in Toronto next week.

The Schulich Venture Academy was designed and built by award-winning Schulich Adjunct Professor Chris Carder and Schulich Entrepreneur in Residence and VC Cherry Rose Tan, in conjunction with the top-ranked Schulich ExecEd, which is among the world’s 30 best executive education providers according to the Financial Times.

“The startup ecosystem is filled with so many talented people in crucial supporting roles,” says Tan. “But as a country, we need to elevate and upskill them more effectively by giving them opportunities to learn from and be mentored directly by senior, proven leaders in their fields of expertise and interest. We’ve spent countless hours mapping the Academy out with senior leaders in the innovation economy and asking them what was needed next in order to scale growth. We’re thrilled to make this announcement on the eve of Collision Conference 2023 and start recruiting the first wave of lifelong learners to join the program.”

The Schulich Venture Academy begins classes in October 2023 in small online class sizes (maximum 25 per class) and will feature exclusive in-person networking opportunities with senior leaders in venture finance, venture operations, venture talent and venture capital.

Taught by industry stars with decades of experience, connections and successes under their belts, these programs are not theoretical. Tech professionals will learn strategies, frameworks and tools that can be immediately applied to their organization.

Upon completing a Schulich Masterclass Venture Certificate program, participants will receive a digital certificate credential.

Rami Mayer, the executive director of Schulich ExecEd, adds: “We’re excited to announce that our Academy graduates will celebrate the completion of the program at Schulich ExecEd Centre in downtown Toronto, and privately network with star program directors and other influential leaders from the venture ecosystem. In addition to providing skills and knowledge by way of completing the program, the program’s exclusive events are invaluable to graduates who look to build deeper relationships with marquee business leaders.”

This news follows two recent major tech sector announcements from the Schulich School of Business, including the launch of Canada’s first Tech MBA and the announcement of a joint Venture Studio with OneEleven.

For more information about the Schulich Venture Academy, visit this page.

Leader in student success earns Lynda Tam Guiding Light and Legacy Award

a man holding a trophy

Agata Stypka, student success coordinator in the Faculty of Health, received the award from the Advising Community of Practice and Peer Leader Community of Practice in recognition of her unwavering commitment to students through her work in delivering excellence in student success and peer leadership programming.

The annual award was established in honour of Lynda Tam, who served as the first assistant dean, students in the School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design (AMPD) where she had a profound impact on the student experience through shaping student services, advising, and peer mentoring programs. She was also a founding co-chair of the Peer Leader Community of Practice.

Agata Stypka
Agata Stypka

Through her creative and imaginative approach, she developed programs and initiatives that helped students excel and reach their academic, personal, and professional goals. Tam exemplified student service excellence across York University and was a coach and a guiding light to students, staff, and faculty.

Stypka received this year’s award for exemplifying many of Tam’s qualities. Stypka is known as a leader in student success, who contributes to and has impact in student success programs and initiatives across campus. As the longest standing student success coordinator in Calumet and Stong Colleges, Stypka is credited with the delivery of high impact initiatives such as Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS), Agents of Change, Orientation and Peer Leadership Training.

“Agata is a welcoming and empathetic partner who works tirelessly to support her colleagues and champion student success and peer leadership across York’s campus and within our alumni community,” shared Jennine Rawana former head of Calumet College and Department of Psychology associate professor.

“Agata works tirelessly to support peer leaders to help them become proficient in their roles and brings a level of excellence to her programming, all with the intention of support students and their development,” says Mazen Hamadeh, associate dean, students, Faculty of Health and former head, Stong College.

As part of the award, art was commissioned from AMPD student Paria Shahverdi. The artwork is named “Peace” and was inspired by Tam, her illumination of shine, beauty and care, and the hope that she is now at peace. “This painting exemplifies the light and hope Lynda shared with those around her,” shared Catherine Salole, a member of the Selection Committee.

The award was presented to Stypka in a surprise meeting that included colleagues from the Faculty of Health, members of the selection committee and her nominators – Rawana and Robert Bishop, director, Student & Academic Services & Strategic Initiative. 

“It is an immense honor to receive this award and I am humbled. I had the opportunity to meet and work with Lynda and she certainly was a guiding light for me as I began my career at York. The beautiful painting of the dove is a wonderful reminder of the important work that universities do in the pursue of justice and peace and creating positive change,” said Stypka.

UIT offers tips to stay safe on social media

social media smart phone

In a digital age, exercising caution and best judgement on the internet is important.

As an institution that leverages technology to learn, work, collaborate and socialize, the York University Information Technology (UIT) department reminds the community of how to best engage online safely.

Below are tips from UIT to help protect privacy when using social media platforms for personal or professional use.

  1. Review and update privacy settings: This allows you to limit who can view your information. Consider all types of platforms, including payment and music applications.
  2. Use two-factor authentication on all accounts: This helps to protect accounts and data from those who may be trying to steal or misuse them.
  3. Do not share personal information: This includes address/location, special events such as vacation, or a new purchase that criminals may target while you are away.
  4. Avoid using apps that track location: If you choose to allow location data to be shared, only enable access when using the app.
  5. Use unique, strong passwords for each site: Use a unique password for each social media site. Use a strong password that does not include info you may have shared online.
  6. Filter content on platforms you frequently use: These platforms also often offer a way to report inappropriate or hurtful content and block users.
  7. Delete accounts you no longer use: Hackers look for unused accounts they can hijack to use for impersonation. Deleting an app from your device does not remove the account – you must delete the account itself.
  8. Beware of social media phishing: Tailored phishing messages can be made from info taken from social media. Beware of unsolicited messages that can be from fake accounts.

For more information, visit the UIT website or contact a member of the team.

In pictures: York’s Convocation celebrates Class of 2023

convocation students facing stage

Spring Convocation for York University’s Class of 2023 ran from June 9 to 23, and featured 13 ceremonies at both the Keele and Glendon Campuses.

This year’s Spring Convocation began on June 9 with a ceremony at York’s Glendon Campus, and continued with a dozen more in the following weeks at the Keele Campus. 6,140 graduands received their degrees during ceremonies overseen by the newly inaugurated 14th chancellor of York University, Kathleen Taylor.

View photos from the Class of 2023 ceremonies below:

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Osgoode student, incoming instructor sees string of successes in June

a man holding a trophy

For his acclaimed doctoral research centred on the history of hate speech prosecution, Osgoode Hall Law School PhD student, incoming instructor and lawyer Kenneth Grad won four academic awards amidst another celebration at home.

Kenneth Grad portrait
Kenneth Grad

On June 7, Grad was awarded this year’s Peter Oliver Prize by the Osgoode Society for Canadian Legal History. A few days later, in the early morning of June 10, he and his wife welcomed their second daughter into the world. Later that same morning, he was notified that he had been named a co-winner of the Osgoode Society’s other major student prize: the R. Roy McMurtry Fellowship in Legal History, valued at $10,000.

Receiving both the Peter Oliver Prize and the R. Roy McMurtry Fellowship – let alone in the same year – is a rare accomplishment. Then, on June 16, Grad was also awarded the Switzer-Cooperstock Student Prize by the Jewish Heritage Centre for Western Canada. In addition, he also recently received the Avrom Silver Graduate Research Fund Award from York University’s Israel and Golda Koschitzky Centre for Jewish Studies.

A former criminal lawyer with the prominent Toronto firm Henein Hutchison Robitaille LLP, Grad received the awards for work produced in connection with his doctoral research. His dissertation is entitled “Prosecuting Hateful Speech: An Historical Analysis of Zundel, Keegstra, and the Criminal Law’s Ability to Protect Vulnerable Communities.“

The Peter Oliver Prize is awarded annually for a published work on Canadian legal history written by a student and is named for the Osgoode Society’s founding editor-in-chief. The R. Roy McMurtry Fellowship in Legal History was created in 2007 to help graduate students, or those with a recently completed doctorate, to conduct research on Canadian legal history for one year. It is named for the former chief justice of Ontario, attorney general and founder of the Society. The Switzer-Cooperstock Prize, established by the Switzer family to honour their parents and grandparents, is awarded for the best student essay on Jewish history in Western Canada. And the Avrom Silver award supports the research of graduate students affiliated with York’s Centre for Jewish Studies.

“It’s a huge honour,” Grad said of the awards. “The Osgoode Society does such great work in legal history and it’s just personally rewarding to be recognized by them. The same goes for the Jewish Heritage Centre for Western Canada and Koschitzky Centre for Jewish Studies, which do incredibly valuable research in the area of Jewish history.

“It’s nice that all the work I’ve put in is paying off,” he added, “and it shows the relevance of my research – especially with the increase in transphobia, racism and hate speech, especially during the pandemic.”

Professor Patricia McMahon, who was on the selection committee for the Oliver Prize, said the Society received an exceptional number of strong submissions from students this year, but Grad’s work rose to the top.

“His article, ‘A Gesture of Criminal Law: Jews and the Criminalization of Hate Speech in Canada,’ stood out not just for its clear prose and excellent research,” she said, “but for telling a compelling story about the role of the Canadian Jewish Congress in the development of Canada’s hate speech laws more than 50 years ago.”

Grad said the award-winning paper and his dissertation both combine his legal interest in criminal law with his personal background as the grandson of Holocaust survivors.

“Issues of racism and empowering minority groups are important to me – and that’s how I landed on this topic,” he explained.

He said his PhD studies at Osgoode have been “incredibly rewarding” but very hectic with the birth of his two daughters and the COVID-19 pandemic. He paid tribute to the support he’s received from his PhD supervisor, Professor Benjamin Berger, and his PhD committee members, Professors Philip Girard and Emily Kidd White.

Berger also paid homage to his accomplished doctoral student. “Kenneth is already a tremendous scholar, making creative and rich contributions to our understanding of Canadian legal history, pluralism and the complexity of public law,” he said. “I am so proud of the careful, compassionate approach he takes to his work and so pleased that he has received this recognition.”

Grad will teach a course on criminal law at Osgoode in the fall of 2023.

A message from Paul Tsaparis, Chair of York’s Board of Governors

Vari Hall Sunny Day with fountain in foreground FEATURED image

La version française suit la version anglaise.

As another incredible Spring Convocation ends, and the 2022-23 academic year concludes, I am pleased to share my reflections and optimism.

Paul Tsaparis
Paul Tsaparis

The University has successfully advanced its priorities in a variety of ways, but none more important than the decisive actions taken to ensure we grow as a sustainable and inclusive community. York holds a distinct and important space in the post-secondary sector – with impressive academic and research strengths that clearly connect with our commitment to diversity and inclusivity.

York’s Board of Governors is made up of a talented and thoughtful group of volunteers who use their collective skills, wisdom and experience to build on the positive change York is known for. Our governors also support their communities in a variety of meaningful ways – here are just two of many examples that I could cite:

A compassionate physician who has devoted his life and career to global pediatric and neonatal health care, Dr. Narendra Singh was appointed to York’s Board of Governors in February 2019. Dr. Singh is the founder and president of Giving Health to Kids, and acts as an advisor to the Government of Guyana. This past year, Dr. Singh participated in a delegation together with Schulich ExecEd representatives who travelled to Guyana to launch a new Masters Certificate in Hospital Leadership Program customized for Guyana’s hospital administrators. We are so proud of Nar’s extraordinary efforts.

Appointed to the Board of Governors in 2021, Nadine Spencer is the CEO of BrandEQ Group Inc. and serves as president/CEO of the Black Business and Professional Association (BBPA). Ms. Spencer works with various charitable organizations, empowering impoverished and disenfranchised women to achieve prosperity through education and entrepreneurship. She was also recently appointed to the Toronto Police Services Board – lending her voice and mind to an important advisory body.

I know the community joins me in expressing my gratitude to the outgoing board members whose terms have concluded, including Jacques Demers, David Semaan and Jose Etcheverry.

First appointed as a governor in 2015, Jacques Demers has chaired the Investment Committee, chaired the Pension Fund Board of Trustees and was a member of the Executive Committee

Doctoral degree student governor David Semaan was appointed to the Board in 2021 and has served on the Academic Resources Committee and the Investment Committee. Faculty member and Governor Prof. Jose Etcheverry was appointed in 2019 and served on the Investment Committee and Land and Property Committee. Both have made valued contributions to the Board and through their committee work.

I would like to extend a special note of thanks to our former chancellor, the Hon. Gregory Sorbara and acknowledge his many years of service and advocacy for York.

Earlier this year, together with the University’s leadership team, I was delighted to welcome York’s new chancellor, Kathleen Taylor. Ms. Taylor has taken up her official duties during the recent convocation ceremonies, sharing her wisdom and conferring degrees on the many thousands of students crossing the stage at the Glendon and Keele Campuses in June.

On behalf of the Board of Governors, I would like to thank the entire York community – all of those who have been part of the success of our students, enriched our campuses, and advanced university priorities through their work, teaching, research and beyond. Together, we will continue to accomplish great things in service of York.

Paul Tsaparis
Chair of York’s Board of Governors and Chair of the Council of Chairs for Ontario Universities

Message de Paul Tsaparis, président du conseil d’administration de York

Alors qu’une autre incroyable remise des diplômes du printemps prend fin, et que l’année universitaire 2022-2023 s’achève, j’ai le plaisir de partager mes réflexions et mon optimisme.

Paul Tsaparis
Paul Tsaparis

L’Université a réussi à faire avancer ses priorités de diverses manières, mais aucune n’est plus importante que les actions décisives prises pour garantir que nous progressons en tant que communauté durable et inclusive. York occupe une place distincte et importante dans le secteur de l’enseignement supérieur avec des forces impressionnantes en matière d’études et de recherche qui sont clairement liées à notre engagement en faveur de la diversité et de l’inclusion. 

Le conseil d’administration de York est composé de bénévoles talentueux et perspicaces qui utilisent leurs compétences collectives, leur sagesse et leur expérience pour susciter les changements positifs qui font la réputation de York. Nos administrateurs soutiennent également leurs communautés de multiples façons. En voici deux exemples parmi tant d’autres :

Médecin compatissant qui a consacré sa vie et sa carrière aux soins de santé pédiatriques et néonataux dans le monde entier, Dr Narendra Singh a été nommé au conseil d’administration de York en février 2019. Il est le fondateur et le président de l’association Giving Health to Kids et joue un rôle de conseiller auprès du gouvernement guyanien. L’année dernière, Dr Singh a participé à une délégation avec des représentants de Schulich ExecEd qui se sont rendus au Guyana pour lancer un nouveau certificat de maîtrise en leadership hospitalier adapté aux membres de la direction d’hôpitaux du Guyana. Ses efforts remarquables nous remplissent de fierté.

Nommée au conseil d’administration en 2021, Nadine Spencer est PDG de BrandEQ Group inc. et présidente-directrice générale de la Black Business and Professional Association (BBPA). Mme Spencer travaille avec diverses organisations caritatives qui donnent aux femmes démunies et privées de leurs droits les moyens d’accéder à la prospérité grâce à l’éducation et à l’esprit d’entreprise. Elle a également été récemment nommée à la Commission des Services de police de Toronto, prêtant sa voix et son expertise à cet important organisme consultatif.

Je sais que la communauté se joint à moi pour exprimer ma gratitude aux membres sortants du conseil d’administration, notamment Jacques Demers, David Semaan et Jose Etcheverry.

Nommé membre du conseil d’administration pour la première fois en 2015, Jacques Demers a présidé le comité d’investissements et le conseil de fiduciaires du fonds de retraite et a siégé au comité de direction.

Le doctorant David Semaan a été nommé au conseil d’administration en 2021 et a siégé au comité des ressources académiques et au comité d’investissements. Le professeur Jose Etcheverry a été nommé au conseil d’administration en 2019 et a siégé au comité d’investissements et au comité des terrains et des propriétés. Tous deux ont apporté une contribution précieuse au conseil d’administration et dans le cadre de leurs activités au sein des comités.

Je tiens à remercier tout particulièrement notre ancien chancelier, l’honorable Gregory Sorbara, pour ses nombreuses années de service et de promotion de York.

Au début de l’année, j’ai eu le plaisir d’accueillir, avec l’équipe dirigeante de l’Université, la nouvelle chancelière de York, Kathleen Taylor. Mme Taylor a pris ses fonctions officielles lors des récentes cérémonies de remise des diplômes, partageant sa sagesse et conférant des diplômes aux milliers d’étudiantes et d’étudiants qui ont foulé la scène sur les campus Glendon et Keele en juin.

Au nom du conseil d’administration, je tiens à remercier l’ensemble de la communauté de York – tous ceux et celles qui ont contribué à la réussite de notre communauté étudiante, ont enrichi nos campus et ont fait avancer les priorités de l’Université grâce à leur travail, leur enseignement, leur recherche et bien plus encore. Ensemble, nous continuerons à accomplir de grandes choses au service de York.

Paul Tsaparis
président du conseil d’administration de York et président du Council of Chairs for Ontario Universities

Tom Lee reminds Lassonde graduands to ‘stay thoughtful’

Honorary degree recipient Tom Lee

The Lassonde School of Engineering Spring Convocation on June 22 was commenced by honorary doctor of laws recipient, Chair of the Corporate Advisory Council at the Electrical and Computer Engineering Heads Association, and Adjunct Professor Tom Lee, who expressed pride for the graduands and their institution for shaping a more humanitarian engineering ethos.

Welcomed to the stage by Lassonde Dean Jane Goodyer, Lee was praised for his ingenuity and unwavering sense of ethics. “Today, we not only celebrate Dr. Lee’s accomplishments, but also the values he embodies, the same ones Lassonde holds very dear: entrepreneurship, the pursuit of new ideas, academic freedom, and a passionate desire to create a better world,” Goodyer said.

Honorary degree recipient Tom Lee and Chancellor Kathleen Taylor
Honorary degree recipient Tom Lee and Chancellor Kathleen Taylor

Having arrived in Canada in 1971, Lee’s family of six lived in a small, two-bedroom apartment and established roots just minutes away from the heart of York University’s Keele Campus.

“I’m a Downsview guy,” Lee explained as he reflected on what the community surrounding the Keele Campus means to him. “And it feels so good to be home again. And my roots in this neighbourhood makes this day much more special.”

Lee built a notable career after receiving his doctorate in mechanical engineering at the University of Waterloo, eventually being inducted into the Canadian Academy of Engineering and being named the Walter Booth Chair in Engineering Innovation and Entrepreneurship at McMaster University. A continuous thread throughout his many accomplishments is the passion Lee says his peers admired in him at various institutions, a trait which was inspired in him by Pierre Lassonde, whose legacy Lee sees carried on in Lassonde’s graduands.

Paying homage to Steve Jobs, Lee iterated on a famous quote from the late Apple founder’s own address at a Stanford University convocation.

“’Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.’ These words in so many ways capture the spirit of our digital age … We celebrated those who took decisive action, often without concern for immediate consequences. We’ll deal with that later. ‘Stay hungry, stay foolish,’” Lee remarked. “Today though, I want to suggest that we consider adding one more. Stay thoughtful. Stay hungry, stay foolish, stay thoughtful.

“About 10 years ago, I first met Pierre Lassonde and many of the founding leadership of the Lassonde school and they introduced me to a provocative new perspective on engineering education, and they called it renaissance engineering. I’m glad to see that these words and sentiments persist today here because renaissance engineering also had a lasting impact on me,” he continued. “It suggested that engineering could be a foundation for all sorts of creative and ambitious endeavours, and that the needs of people and communities need to directly connect to what you learn in class.”

Tom Lee
Tom Lee

Lee suggested that for many decades an ask-questions-later approach to engineering had given rise to some of the most impressive feats of human inventiveness but had simultaneously driven crises and disasters.

“Nuclear energy, pesticides, plastics, pain medications, refined fossil fuels and internal combustion engines are all examples of engineered technologies that had a great start … but now represent enormous planet-level challenges,” he said.

On the other hand, Lee also expressed his hope that the next generation of thoughtful engineers – to which the Lassonde graduands now belonged – would be best equipped to handle both yesterday’s and tomorrow’s challenges.

“Things are changing, and you have a lot to do with it. More and more. I find your increased awareness of societal and global challenges and your loud and critical voice on the mistakes of people my age, to be welcome and essential to remaining optimistic about tomorrow.

“Today, I hope you celebrate like never before. Maybe even get a little foolish. Go nuts. You deserve it,” Lee concluded. “And tomorrow, you’ll begin building a wonderfully interesting and rewarding career, whatever that may be for you. And I hope that once in a while you will pause and think of something wonderfully thoughtful to do as well, whatever that may be for you.”

Study abroad offers unparalleled experiential education opportunity

Klassen and students looking out onto the DMZ and North Korea

Professor Thomas Klassen led students to Seoul for his course South Korea: The Politics of Youth and Old Age, which saw them tour universities, museums, the Canadian embassy, palaces, temples, the demilitarized zone (DMZ) and demonstrated the uniqueness of experiences provided by York University.

York students visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace dressed in traditional hanbok
York students visiting Gyeongbokgung Palace dressed in traditional hanbok, from left: Oshini Gamage, Diana Shytakova, Jedd Kenedy, Sarah Persaud and Parmeen Khaira

Offered amongst an array of courses organized yearly by the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies (LA&PS) for the newly relaunched summer abroad program, South Korea: The Politics of Youth and Old Age (GLBL 3581) led students through the streets of Seoul as they navigated the political debates of the day, sparked by the friction between competing generations in South Korea – a young country with an aging population.

Common across this year’s summer abroad courses, the global political studies course began with a period of intensive study at York’s Keele Campus, where – in this case – students learned an overview of Korean history, culture and the topography of the current political landscape. The class departed for Seoul in May, where they attended seminars at Yonsei University and Chung-Ang University alongside local students; visited exhibits at the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History, the Seoul Museum of History, the National Museum of Korea and the Seodaemun Prison History Hall; and met with policy experts in one of the world’s most politically fraught regions.

Central to York’s University Academic Plan is the “goal of providing every student with an experiential learning opportunity, regardless of program,” which inspired Klassen to arrange a personalized briefing from staff at the Canadian Embassy. There, the students asked diplomats questions pertaining to everything from Canada-Korea relations to how to join Canada’s foreign service.

York University and Chung-Ang University students visiting the Korean House cultural centre
York University and Chung-Ang University students visiting the Korean House cultural centre

Rouslan Kats, head of the Political, Economic & Public Affairs Office at the Embassy of Canada in South Korea, said following the visit, “It was such a pleasure hosting you and the students at the Embassy.

“Fantastic to see so much interest for Korea and the work we do here,” Kats added. “The future of Canada-Korea relations is in excellent hands.”

For the students, one element of the trip stood out as the climactic event – a full-day trip to the DMZ separating North and South Korea, where they would enter the iconic blue negotiating building that straddles the border.

While in the northern part of the building the students officially stood on North Korean territory, an accomplishment claimed by an exceedingly small number of people. Visiting one of the most heavily armed borders in the world offered an opportunity for the class to experience the impact of the division of the Korean peninsula.

Klassen and students looking out onto the DMZ and North Korea
Klassen and students looking out onto the DMZ and North Korea

“It was an extraordinary experience… my classmates and I were able to learn about Korean history, politics and culture firsthand,” said Jedd Kennedy, a student who took part in the course. Classmate Oshini Gamage added, “This course will be one of my fondest memories of my undergraduate university education.”

A testament to the breadth of opportunities the course offered, students selected a fascinating range of topics for their individual field research. Topics included the politics of kimchi; the controversial legacy of South Korean dictator Park Chung-Hee; the mix of art and politics in the Comfort Woman Statue Memorial and the role of the standardized national university entrance exam.

The students returned to Canada in June with a collection of unique memories and a broader, heightened understanding of the careers across the globe to which their educations could lead.

Highlighting the enthusiasm and willingness of the students to engage with a new culture, Klassen said, “they were wonderful ambassadors not only for York University, but for Canada, with all those we met in Korea. I am so impressed with the amazing group of young people for taking every opportunity to learn and explore their environment.”

Ruth Lor Malloy reveals immense power of ordinary people

Ruth Lor Malloy

In a speech to graduands at the June 21 Spring Convocation ceremony, author, civil rights activist and recipient of York University’s honorary doctorate of laws, Ruth Lor Malloy emphasized that greatness is not inherent in certain people, rather, it is born from acts of kindness anyone can perform.

Malloy was introduced by Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies Dean J.J. McMurtry, who showed his gratitude for her work by paraphrasing her own words. “’We may not be able to change the world, but we can brighten our own corners.’ Thank you so much, Ruth Lor Malloy, for brightening ours,” he said.

Malloy’s message to the new grads detailed how today’s political and social landscapes are in some ways both brighter and darker than when she first took up the mantle of civil rights activism.

Born into a family of Chinese restaurant owners in the small town of Brockville, Ont., Malloy had not even completed grade school by the time she had developed an acute awareness of racism and its ramifications. Her mother, a Canadian by birth, was unable to vote due to her Chinese heritage and the 1923 Chinese Exclusion Act, which also barred immigrants from China entering Canada until its repeal in 1947 – this was just one example of the systemic discrimination her family faced that compounded their ostracization from the community.

Still, Malloy knew that she needed to expand her understanding of racism and all of its manifestations. Later, during her time at university in Toronto, she “discovered that being shunned and subjected to derogatory namecalling was nothing compared to what some of [her] classmates had experienced.

“I met Jewish students who had barely escaped the Holocaust,” she said. “I dated a Canadian-born man who had been imprisoned as a child in western Canada because his parents were born in Japan.”

Searching for a calling, as many undergrad students do, Malloy leapt at opportunities to oppose the discrimination, both political and social, that had deeply troubled her throughout her adolescence. Among these efforts was her organization of a delegation in Ottawa that fought, and defeated, a regulation preventing Chinese Canadians from bringing grandparents to Canada – a right already afforded to other immigrant Canadians.

“After we fought for and achieved family reunification, I realized that ordinary people like me could successfully petition our government for such changes. It was exciting … and encouraging,” Malloy said.

Alice Pitt, Ruth Lor Malloy, Kathleen Taylor
Interim Vice-President Equity, People and Culture Alice Pitt, Ruth Lor Malloy and Chancellor Kathleen Taylor

Following graduation, she travelled through the U.S. and Mexico, planting fig trees to create economic opportunity for the Otomi Indigenous people and testing the service of segregated diners in Washington D.C. following the city’s enactment of anti-discrimination laws. That “was the year before Rosa Park’s historic stand in Alabama,” Malloy explained.

Developing a flourishing writing career throughout her work as an activist, eventually Malloy’s work took her overseas, where she’d learn about her cultural roots and the politics of 1970s China; about the social rift between Hong Kong and Japanese students, spurred by the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong that had recently ended; and about India’s Hijra people, a community typically composed of Hindus “who were born male but prefer to be female.”

“We encouraged one group of Hijras to tell us their story – their painful castration, their dreams and their relationship with their goddess. They wanted education, jobs and respect,” Malloy recounted. “As a result, Indian newspapers and magazines, reaching millions of readers, started publishing positive stories about them … I like to think we also influenced government practices. Official Indian documents, such as passport applications, now include a ‘transgender’ option.

“The problems you face today are existential and more critical than those of my era. Holding us back still is indifference and the lack of respect for others who are different from us,” she continued. “My generation made some progress, but we also saddled you with many issues to resolve. You have more skills and knowledge than my generation had, and I hope you will use them wisely.”

Highlighting the tangible influences of activism, journalism and individual creative expression – while acknowledging the novel anxieties in academia caused by artificial intelligence (AI) – Malloy beseeched the LA&PS grads to use their gifts to better the lives of others. “I hope you will not give your innate curiosity and your ability to think and create to artificial intelligence.

“My book Brightening My Corner: a Memoir of Dreams Fulfilled was recently published. Writing it without the help of a bot helped me evaluate what I did with my life in time to make a change and I hope you will also look at your lives too,” she concluded. “Have you really been respecting others and trying to alleviate their suffering? I believe that if we take down one stone from the walls of indifference and hatred that separate us, and someone else takes down another stone, someday, that wall will be gone. The torch is now yours.”

Microlecture Series in Sustainable Living: Building a better future with Sapna Sharma

Globe and York branded box for the Microlecture Series launch

York University’s free Microlecture Series in Sustainable Living is an innovative, interdisciplinary and open access program that gives participants the opportunity to earn a first-of-its-kind digital badge in sustainable living.

Throughout the Microlecture Series in Sustainable Living, six of York University’s world-renowned experts share research, thoughts and advice on a range of critical topics related to sustainability. Their leadership and expertise, however, extends beyond the six-minute presentations.

Over the next several weeks, YFile will present a six-part series featuring the professors’ work, their expert insights into York’s contributions to sustainability, and how accepting the responsibility of being a sustainable living ambassador can help right the future.

Part five features Associate Professor Sapna Sharma.

Sapna Sharma
Sapna Sharma

Sapna Sharma is an associate professor in the Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, at York University. Her research highlights how lakes worldwide respond to climate change, including rapid ice loss, warming water temperatures, degrading water quality, and changing fish distributions. Her research has led to an induction into the Royal Society of Canada – College of New Scholars, she has been named one of Canada’s Top 10 Women Water Scientists, she has earned the prestigious Ontario Government Early Researcher Award and York University President’s Emerging Research Leadership Award. She is a dedicated science communicator and is the founder of SEEDS, an outreach program for refugees. For her commitment to science outreach, she was invited to serve as vice-chair for the Royal Canadian Institute for Science and awarded the Canadian Council of University Biology Chairs Science Promotion Prize.

Q: What does it mean to be a “sustainable living ambassador” and how does it foster positive change?
A: The microlecture sustainable series fosters positive change by providing a brief glimpse into the sustainability research conducted at York University through a free, open-access platform accessible to all.

Q: What would make you most proud for viewers to take away from your lecture, and the series as a whole?
A: Climate is changing rapidly in response to human disturbance and activities, with widespread consequences for lakes around the world. This in turn can have dire consequences for water insecurity. Already, over two billion people in the world do not have safe access to clean water. Without further protecting our freshwater ecosystems, there may be even less safe, clean water for humans and wildlife to use.

Q: Equity and equality are a common theme throughout these sustainability lectures. Why is that such a critical component of sustainability?
A: Women, people of colour and marginalized communities are most affected by the environmental, climate and water crises. Sustainability action improves the lives of all, including those affected most by water insecurity.

Q: Are there changes you’ve made in your work at York that other York community members can learn from?
A: Obviously this is a personal decision. I spend my life working towards improving our understanding of the impacts of climate change on lakes, whether it be through my research, teaching or public education efforts. Personally, I have moved to live in a more central location with easy access to public transit to reduce my ecological footprint.

Q: How do you view collective responsibility vs. personal responsibility in creating a more sustainable future?
A: Collective responsibility is required to tackle the climate and water crises. Personally, we can all take steps to live more sustainable lives and demand action from industries and governments to reduce our collective ecological footprint.

Q: How is York leading the way towards a more sustainable future?
A: There is amazing research and fantastic initiatives on sustainability happening across faculties at York University led by students, staff and professors. Providing the support required for students and faculty to shine will contribute to innovative solutions towards a more sustainable future.

Visit the Microlecture Series in Sustainable Living to see Sapna Sharma’s full lecture, as well as those by the other five experts, and earn your Sustainable Living Ambassador badge. Watch for part six of this series in an upcoming issue of YFile. Read more in parts one, two, three and four.