Left to right: Bernard Shapiro, principal and vice-chancellor, McGill University, and Chair of the Canadian Bureau of International Education; Heather Moore, program assistant, International Students Programs, York International; and T. Craig Wright, acting coordinator, International Students Programs, York International
In early November, York University''s Emerging Global Leaders Retreat (EGLR) received the Outstanding Program in International Education Award at the Canadian Bureau of International Education (CBIE) awards ceremony in Ottawa.
Initially a project geared to international students, the EGLR has grown to new proportions since its inception in the 1999-2000 university year. Begun by York International’s Roopa Desai-Trilokekar, acting assistant director of the International Students Programs, it is now jointly funded by the Office of Student Affairs and York International. The two-day retreat attracts 50 of York''s most eminent international, exchange and domestic students. Industry specialists in leadership development, cross-cultural communication and international recruitment present hands-on learning models to participants.
"York University''s International Global Leaders Retreat stands out among programs of this kind because it is a manifestation of the University''s own cultural identity," says Paul Cantor, member of the York Board of Governors, managing director for Canada of the global executive search firm Russell Reynolds Associates, and past EGLR presenter. "Drawing from its catchment area, its student body uniquely reflects the diversity of Canada’s population. The selection of young leaders from this population generated the most lively, articulate, and thoughtful group of students I have encountered.
"Presenters and participants recognize it as a crucible for expression and learning, and...as an innovative activity toward a stated long-term internationalization goal," he adds. "The Emerging Global Leaders Retreat will continue to flourish in the years to come, and will continue to push York’s internationalization mandate to a new level."