Representatives from the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC) and the Bank of Nova Scotia presented the 2004 Award for Excellence in Internationalization to members of the student organizing committee of this year's Glendon International Studies Symposium on India. In a formal ceremony held on Nov. 29, hosted by Glendon Associate Principal, Student Affairs Louise Lewin, students Shulamit Yemane and Zac Fillingham, both in their fourth year of Glendon's International Studies program, accepted the award on behalf of the entire team responsible for creating and organizing this entirely student-run event which took place on Feb. 28, 2004. (See the Feb. 24 issue of YFile.)
Right: Glendon's Associate Principal Student Affairs Louise Lewin addresses the audience during the formal AUCC award ceremony
"In the life of every institution, there are moments of great pride, not just ideals. This event is one of those moments for Glendon and for York," said Glendon’s Acting Principal Françoise Boudreau, in her opening address. In a fully bilingual speech, AUCC president Claire Morris said, "the objective of this prize, in existence since 1996, is to provide support to students in their trans-cultural efforts. The prize promotes the development of the next generation of our leaders, and the acquisition of knowledge and skills needed for this fast-paced international world."
Morris added that the jury had to choose from an impressive range of studies and activities in the field of internationalization. She said that two key factors made the Glendon event stand out among its competitors, including the fact that it was the most transformative initiative with a strong positive impact on the students, and that it was the only project completely conceived and implemented by students. Morris then praised Scotiabank's partnership and dedication to "preparing students for a planetary career" and added that Scotiabank was an important, active partner in selecting the winners.
District vice president Mike Henry, representing Scotiabank at the award ceremony, expressed the bank's pride in supporting the efforts of the students. "Scotiabank recognizes the great benefit of cultural and intellectual diversity among future professionals to employers in this country. We must help create a workforce that can compete at home and abroad in a truly 'global village'."
In accepting the award on behalf of their team, students Yemeni and Fillingham thanked the AUCC and Scotiabank for the recognition and financial support this award represents, supporting every step in this comprehensive study project, including last summer's research trip to India and the upcoming publication of the papers presented at the Symposium. Yemeni and Fillingham praised the students, faculty and staff at Glendon who worked with them to make the project a success. They thanked Associate Principal Louise Lewin; Fiona Kay, manager of student financial services; Glendon principal Kenneth McRoberts; and Glendon International Studies Professor Arthur Rubinoff, a specialist on India, who supervised the fall term courses in preparation for the symposium and accompanied the group on their field trip to India. The highest praise went to the coordinator of the international studies programme, Domenico Mazzeo. Fillingham said, "[he is]…the spiritual head of this project and the advisor to the members of the study group, now working and studying all over the globe."
The concluding speaker at the award ceremony, York's Associate Vice-President International Adrian Shubert said, "International Studies is at the heart of Glendon's mandate and now at the heart of what we are trying to accomplish across the University." He outlined the increasing numbers of international opportunities at Glendon and York. "Clearly, something wonderful is happening [at Glendon], demonstrating unparalleled enthusiasm," added Shubert.
This article was submitted to YFile by Marika Kemeny, Glendon communications officer.