The award, for which York students were in competition with other Canadian institutions, recognizes students who have demonstrated outstanding student contributions to internationalization.
It is not the first time that York and York students have been recognized by the CBIE. Last year, the annual Global Leadership Retreat, organized by York International, won the award for Outstanding Program in International Education.
As well, York student Lawrence Conmigo, a third-year political science major, was recently given an International Learning Grant to help with costs for his exchange at the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands.
Glendon’s international studies symposium
The Glendon College Student Annual International Studies Symposium is a project entirely conceived, organized and run by students. It was initiated during the 1995-1996 academic year by a group of highly-motivated students eager to deepen their knowledge and experience of foreign countries and Canada.
Each academic year students taking part in the project have focused on a different region of interest with a new set of eager International Studies Program (ISP) students stepping in to continue the example of excellence.
Right: Last year's award-winning conference on "Russia: The Challenge of Change"
Last year’s theme, "Russia: The Challenge of Change", featured a series of weekly seminars, an international conference with emphasis on issues of security, trade, investments and human rights, a field research trip to Moscow, and the publication of the conference proceedings in an upcoming book.
The ongoing successes of this ISP project have enhanced the visibility, not only of the program, but also of Glendon and York University as a whole, in Canada and abroad. The students have consistently been able to invite many distinguished speakers and guests to participate in the conference, including foreign diplomats as well as Canadian federal ministers and renowned Canadian and international academics.
The project has become a major event, forging links among various constituencies, notably the Glendon, York and outside academic community as well as the wider metropolitan community, in particular its immigrant population. While there is valuable practical and academic experience to be gained, the key to this project lies in the boundless enthusiasm, dedication and creativity of the students.
For more information about this program contact York International, 108 Vanier College, ext. 55177 or visit their Web site at http://international.yorku.ca.
Rob Read, Web communications and publications assistant with York International, sent this article to YFile.