York University Interim Provost and Vice-President Academic Lisa Philipps issues the following announcement to the University community:
I am pleased to inform the York University community that I am initiating a review of York’s internationalization activities and objectives, as the current Associate Vice-President International, Professor Marilyn Lambert-Drache, nears the completion of her term (June 30, 2018) and we consider how best to advance internationalization at York in the future. Significant progress has been made in the years since the AVP office was established, in relation to the recruitment and support of international students and the provision of opportunities for global engagement for students and researchers through international curriculum, exchanges and partnerships. I believe this is an opportune time to consider our international objectives, and how we can work together to advance the University Academic Plan priorities relating to internationalization over the next five year period.
I have therefore invited a team of colleagues with considerable experience and expertise in relation to internationalization to undertake a “listening tour” as a basis to provide feedback and advice to me on key opportunities and objectives that Deans and others across the University see over the next five years in the areas of:
- partnerships for research, teaching, and engagement;
- global learning opportunities for our students, through study abroad or internationalization of our own curriculum;
- recruitment and support of international students;
- coordination of the international agenda across the Divisions of Students, Provost/AVPI, and Research;
- how the central administration can best complement, support and help coordinate local activities in the Faculties and other areas of the University
- communication of York’s international activities and relevance, and our mission to educate global citizens;
- the process for developing a comprehensive internationalization strategy; and
- the kind of central leadership needed over the next five years to advance internationalization at York.
I am delighted that, Dr. Stephen Dunnett, Vice-Provost for International Education, University at Buffalo, has agreed to lead the review panel. Dr. Dunnett is widely admired as a leader in driving internationalization in higher education, and has provided valued advice to other universities in Canada, the U.S. and beyond (https://www.buffalo.edu/internationaleducation/about-us/leadership-and-administration.html). He will work with two respected York colleagues: Professor Adrian Shubert, Department of History in Liberal Arts & Professional Studies, who served as York’s first AVP International; and Ms. Lucy Fromowitz, Vice-Provost Students, who has significant experience in international student recruitment and services.
The panel will be conducting its consultations during the week of February 12, with the potential for follow-up meetings later in February. It is my expectation that they will meet with or invite written input from the following individuals and groups:
- the current AVPI and staff in York International to provide input on accomplishments, opportunities and challenges, and future directions;
- Deans, and any of their team members with particular responsibilities for international activities (e.g., Associate Deans, senior staff);
- the Vice-President Research & Innovation Division;
- senior staff in the VP Students area, particularly those with responsibility for admissions/recruitment;
- scholars and Organized Research Units leading collaborative international research programs;
- students, including international students, to learn about their experiences, academic and otherwise, at York, and ideas for improvement;
- the York University English Language Institute leadership team;
- the Senate Academic Policy, Planning and Research Committee; and
- other members of the community with interests in and ideas about York’s international agenda.
We welcome written submissions to the review team and/or requests for the reviewers to meet with other specific groups of faculty or staff; please contact Tessa Barclay in the Provost’s office (barclayt@yorku.ca) with such requests or to provide a written submission.
Lisa Philipps
Interim Vice-President Academic & Provost