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    Mobilizing international academics

    Program at Queen’s University welcomes scholars from around the world to work in collaboration with local researchers.

    Top row left to right: Lévis Kahandukya Nyavanda, Nuworza Kugbey, Ryenchindorj Erkhembayar. Bottom row left to right: Phidelia Doegah, Munkhzaya Mandakh, Masauso Chirwa, Gantuya Dorj

    Seven international scholars travelled to Canada this summer to participate in the Queen Elizabeth Scholars program and work with researchers based at Queen’s University. Hailing from Mongolia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, and Ghana the team is working to address factors that contribute to maternal and child health inequities among disadvantaged groups within the Kingston area.

    Their work will result in new research dedicated to understanding barriers to accessing maternal and child health among equity-seeking groups; strategies for addressing these barriers; development of a network focused on equity, and improved research capacity and strengthened relationships in and across all partner institutions.

    The aim of the Queen Elizabeth Scholars program is to mobilize a community of young global researchers through inter-cultural exchanges comprising international education, discovery and inquiry, and professional experiences so they can bring those experiences back to their home countries.

    Ryenchindorj Erkhembayar (l) and Lévis Kahandukya Nyavanda work together on a project.

    “The program is very useful and for me as a lecturer and researcher,” says Munkzaya Mandakh, a PhD candidate from Mongolia. “First off, I have strengthened my command of the English language, then I have enhanced my knowledge studying in a developed country like Canada. For me it was the personalized approach of training and responsiveness of all staff to the needs of each trainee which I think are unique characteristics of Queen’s.”

    At Queen’s, the QE Scholars are hosted by ARCH -  A Research Collaborative for Global Health Equity  which includes Queen’s professors Heather Aldersey, Eva Purkey, Colleen Davison, and Susan Bartels.

     “The QES project has presented amazing opportunities for collaboration with international partners,” Dr. Purkey says. “It has built my own research capabilities and allowed me to practice mentoring colleagues across cultures and geographic locations. It is my hope that this will produce ongoing partnerships not only with existing scholars, but with their institutions, as well as possibilities for further network development.”

    The group has been working with the Street Health Centre in Kingston. The facility is a 365-days-a-year harm reduction health centre that specializes in providing accessible, responsive, health services to communities that are marginalized from mainstream healthcare services. 

    Along with academic work (l to r) Phidelia Doegah, Nuworza Kugbey, Masauso Chirwa, Lévis Kahandukya Nyavanda enjoyed their first strawberry picking trip.

    “Having QES scholars and mentors has been an amazing opportunity for Street Health Centre,” says Meredith MacKenzie, who works at the centre. “This has given us a chance to have resources to investigate some growing areas of practice that may influence policy and program development for clients in Kingston.”

    Leaving at the end of August, the scholars have received a number of benefits from their time at Queen’s and in Kingston.

    “Most importantly I have gained the knowledge of writing winnable grant proposals and the professional networks I have formed will definitely be very important for my career development,” says Masauso Chirwa, a scholar from Zambia. “I have received tremendous support from Queen’s, an ideal place for professional development through seminars and paper presentations. I’m the coordinator for postgraduate studies in my home country, thus, this will give me a platform to share the acquired knowledge not only with the academic staff but also postgraduate students.”

    Learn more about the Queen Elizabeth Scholars program.

    Students explore global Indigenous histories and resilience

    Fourth annual Matariki Indigenous Student Mobility Program brings international group to Queen's for discussions on issues facing Indigenous land, language, and learning.

    2019 Matariki Indigenous Student Mobility Program participants.
    This year's Matariki Indigenous Student Mobility Program participants at Queen's University.

    Students from around the world gathered at Queen’s University recently for an immersive, two-week exploration of Indigenous histories and resilience in the face of centuries of colonial oppression. The fourth annual Matariki Indigenous Student Mobility Program (MISMP) brought together 21 participants from universities in the U.S., New Zealand, Australia, Sweden, and Canada, to discuss issues facing Indigenous land, language, and learning.

    “We covered a lot of ground, both figuratively and literally, over the course of this year’s program,” says Lindsay Morcom, Assistant Professor of Aboriginal Education and MISMP faculty lead at Queen’s. “I’m very proud of how this wonderful and diverse group of students continually sought the deep, meaningful discussions required when learning about the breadth of issues facing Indigenous communities worldwide.”

    The program opened with a welcoming ceremony inside a traditional longhouse on Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory – an area not far from Kingston. The gathering provided students and community attendees with an opportunity to share knowledge, song, and language, as well as explore how Indigenous experiences in Canada connect with Indigenous experiences globally.

    “Languages hold so many unique ways of understanding and expressing ideas, so it was inspiring to see students, elders, and community members speaking and sharing insights in their heritage languages,” says Dr. Morcom, who was recently named the Canada Research Chair in Language Revitalization and Decolonizing Education. “Educating in culturally relevant ways not only helps boost self-esteem in students, it also contributes to building their capacity as the next generation of scholars.”

    Over the following two weeks, students visited Indigenous educational centres in the region, including the Quinte Mohawk School and the First Nations Technical Institute, and spent time at Elbow Lake Environmental Education Centre engaging in discussions with experts and researchers on issues ranging from Indigenous land relations, treaties, feminism, and food sovereignty.

    Students also learned about Canada’s assimilative policies and the social impacts of its past residential school program. They visited Kingston Penitentiary as well, learning about and discussing the effects of the penal system on Indigenous communities, and participated in a walking tour of the Queen’s campus that highlighted areas of significance to the university’s own Truth and Reconciliation efforts.

    “I felt seen and I felt loved,” says Queen’s student participant Caleigh Matheson about her MISMP experience. “I didn’t feel the need to make myself and my opinions smaller, but instead felt reinvigorated. It gave me a bit more faith in academia.”

    Many participants expressed feelings of acceptance, enlightenment, and inspiration during the program.

    “Just being able to know that we are not alone was powerful,” added Queen’s student Brittany McBeath. Matheson and McBeath took part in the MISMP alongside four fellow Queen’s students.

    The program culminated in a trip to Ottawa – during which MISMP students visited the First Nations exhibits at the Canadian Museum of History – and field outings to Petroglyphs Provincial Park and Curve Lake Whetung Art Centre.

    “It was a great pleasure to host the MISMP group this year, as it provided an opportunity for our experts to share much of the great Indigenous research being done here at Queen’s,” says Kanonhsyonne (Janice Hill), Queen’s Associate Vice-Principal (Indigenous Initiatives and Reconciliation). “It also gave students a hands-on experience through which to develop their understanding of our local Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe perspectives, and time to nurture important global relationships and partnerships through this learning.”

    The Matariki Network of Universities (MNU) facilitates the MISMP, and hosting rotates through member institutions year by year. The program, held June 23 to July 6, was the first hosted at Queen’s University.

    Silver celebration at The Castle

    • A plaque was unveiled to honour philanthropists Alfred and Isabel Bader. (Photo by Alex Read)
      Chancellor Jim Leech and BISC Executive Director Hugh Horton unveil a plaque honouring philanthropists Alfred and Isabel Bader. (Photo by Alex Read)
    • People attending the BISC 25th anniversary enjoy a falconry demonstration. (Photo by Alex Read)
      People attending the BISC 25th anniversary enjoy a falconry demonstration. (Photo by Alex Read)
    • Many people toured the Bader International Study Centre's beautiful gardens. (Photo by Alex Read)
      Many people toured the Bader International Study Centre's beautiful gardens. (Photo by Alex Read)
    • NASA astronaut Drew Feustel is congratulated by Principal Daniel Woolf following his talk about his mission to the International Space Station. (Photo by Alex Read)
      NASA astronaut Drew Feustel is congratulated by Principal Daniel Woolf following his talk about his mission to the International Space Station. (Photo by Alex Read)
    • The Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex, left, and BISC Executive Director Hugh Horton open the new science labs. (Photo by Alex Read)
      The Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex, left, and BISC Executive Director Hugh Horton open the new science labs. (Photo by Alex Read)

    More than 175 alumni and Queen’s community members, some travelling from as far away as Hong Kong and Singapore, helped celebrate the past, present, and future of the Bader International Study Centre (BISC) during its 25th anniversary celebration on June 29-30.

    Sunny weather greeted former students as they returned to Queen’s international campus at Herstmonceux Castle in East Sussex, England, to reconnect with old classmates and participate in a number of activities that paid homage to the castle’s 15th-century roots, including falconry and archery. Guests were also invited to explore the BISC’s new state-of-the-art science labs.

    The weekend was also a time to pay tribute to philanthropists Drs. Alfred Bader (BSc’45, BA’46, MSc’47, LLD’86) and Isabel Bader (LLD’07). Alfred Bader passed away in December at the age of 94. He and Isabel decided to donate the castle to Queen’s in 1992 after seeing it for sale in a newspaper ad.

    Daniel Woolf (Artsci’80), who officially stepped down after completing a second five-year term as principal and vice-chancellor over the weekend, praised the Baders for having the vision to see that the castle could be turned into a campus attracting students from around the world.

    “Over the last decade, Queen’s has endeavored to expand its international footprint and ensure that our students, our researchers, and our campus all benefit from stronger ties with partners around the globe,” Dr. Woolf told alumni during his opening remarks on Saturday. “The Bader International Study Centre has been instrumental in bringing that vision to fruition.”

    During a ceremony in the Elizabethan Garden, a plaque was unveiled to honour the Baders’ legacy. There, Chancellor Jim Leech (MBA’73) noted how studying abroad at the BISC, which uses small classes and its international location to create an exceptional learning environment, can be a life-changing experience.

    “The Bader International Study Centre has played a foundational role in the education of thousands of students who are out there making a difference in the world,” Chancellor Leech said.

    Attendees also heard a keynote talk from NASA astronaut Drew Feustel (PhD’95, DSc’16) who spoke about his career and recent six-month mission to the International Space Station.

    In honour of Canada Day, the castle was open on Sunday to both alumni and local community members, and hundreds of people enjoyed Canuck-friendly fun such as street hockey and servings of poutine and Nanaimo bars.

    A display of the traditional hunting practice of falconry thrilled a large crowd as several birds of prey flew over people’s heads. Other weekend events included archery lessons, croquet, an afternoon tea in the gardens, and tours of the new state-of-the-art science and innovation labs. The labs, opened by the Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex (the Queen Elizabeth II’s official representative in the county), are part of the BISC’s long-term plan to offer more science-based programs.

    Vice-Provost and Executive Director Hugh Horton said he is looking forward to seeing the BISC continue to grow and offer an exceptional international learning experience to students.

    “Our challenge now is to build on what we have so that we will have even more to celebrate by the time we mark our 50th anniversary,” Dr. Horton said during the official opening. “We want to create more experiential learning opportunities for our students. We want to give them access to state-of-the-art classrooms and study spaces.”

    Visit the BISC Alumni Spotlight Series website and learn how studying at Herstmonceux Castle impacted the lives of former BISC students.

    To see more pictures of the BISC anniversary, please see the Queen’s Alumni Flickr album.

    This article was first published on the Queen's Alumni website.

    Inspiring an amazing academic journey

    Claire Gummo and Stefanie vo Hlatky
    Rhodes Scholar Claire Gummo (Artsci’17) nominated Stéfanie von Hlatky, her former professor in the Department of Political Studies for the Rhodes Inspirational Educator Award. (Supplied Photos) 

    When Claire Gummo (Artsci’17) arrived at the University of Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar in 2017 it was a dream come true.

    Along her academic journey there was a lot of hard work and dedication and as well as support, including from Stéfanie von Hlatky, an associate professor of political studies at Queen’s University and the former director of the Queen’s Centre for International and Defence Policy (CIDP).

    Two years later, remembering her invaluable encouragement and mentorship during her time at Queen’s as an undergraduate student, Gummo nominated Dr. von Hlatky for the Rhodes Inspirational Educator Award. Recently, it was announced that the Rhodes Trust agreed with Gummo.

    Making the decision to nominate her former professor was easy, Gummo says. She knows that she wouldn’t have become a Rhodes Scholar without Dr. von Hlatky’s guidance and support.

    “Dr. von Hlatky was my biggest advocate in the Rhodes Scholarship selection process. Beyond writing a recommendation letter in support of my application, she ran practice interviews with me, provided encouragement at key moments when I doubted myself, and helped me to select my program at Oxford once I learned I had received the scholarship,” she says. “For me, this piece around encouragement was most crucial. I have, like many young women, a tendency to doubt my own abilities, making something like the Rhodes Scholarship feel like an impossible dream. Dr. von Hlatky pushed me to embrace opportunities and be confident about my own potential and intellect. She did this not just in her words but also by acting as a role model, providing a clear example of what professional excellence and strength look like.” 

    Dr. von Hlatky says that while Gummo is strong academically, what set her apart during her time at Queen’s was her level of engagement on campus and her commitment to helping other students, particularly her work and advocacy on sexual violence prevention.

    As a professor, Dr. von Hlatky aims to convey her passion to her students when teaching or discussing her research. Receiving this award, she says, has provided an opportunity to think about how to teach with purpose moving forward with an increasingly diverse student body in mind. 

    “As professors, we teach and provide training to students but at Queen’s, there are fantastic opportunities for genuine mentorship relationships to emerge,” Dr. von Hlatky says. “This is the case not only because our students are very active in student clubs and continuously involve their professors, but also thanks to programs like Undergraduate Student Summer Research Fellowships (USSRF). For me, involving undergraduate and graduate students in my research projects has been a great way to provide mentorship that goes beyond the classroom.”

    Not only has Dr. von Hlatky been a mentor for Gummo but she’s also a role model. Dr. von Hlatky is as equally talented a researcher as she is an educator, Gummo says, with compelling work on topics including gender mainstreaming, contemporary security trends especially within NATO, and military cooperation, that has shaped her own academic thinking in critical ways. 

    “I am struck and inspired by the way Dr. von Hlatky’s confidence and intelligence never fails to command the respect and admiration of her colleagues – both military and civilian,” Gummo wrote in her nomination letter. “In this way, she has acted as a crucial role model for me in my own life, shaping my approach to professional and academic endeavours. However, what truly sets Dr. von Hlatky apart is that this boldness is matched with a remarkable generosity of spirit. She goes above and beyond to mentor her students, especially young women, even founding Women in International Security Canada, which has provided support to more than 600 young academics. Taken together, these two disparate yet complementary elements of her character – boldness and generosity – have greatly inspired me, as they have every student who is fortunate enough to have the opportunity to learn from, and with, her.”

    Gummo was named Queen’s University’s 57th Rhodes Scholar in 2017. At Oxford she completed a one-year master’s in Global Governance and Diplomacy, followed by a second one-year master’s in Public Policy, where she specialized in gender mainstreaming and practical feminist ethics.

    Each year 11 Canadians are selected for Rhodes Scholarships, the most prestigious academic awards in the world. Created in 1902 by the will of British philanthropist Cecil Rhodes, the scholarships cover all costs for two or three years of study at the University of Oxford. The scholarships are awarded to students on the basis of high academic achievement and personal integrity, who are also expected to emerge as “leaders for the world’s future.”

    ________________________________________

    Queen’s is deeply engaged internationally with strong academic and research ties around the globe including the university’s Bader International Study Centre (BISC) in the United Kingdom, that offers high-quality programs in humanities, social sciences, business and law. Queen’s has more than 220 student exchange partners in more than 40 countries and numerous education abroad experiences available.

    Queen’s hosts diplomats from across Asia-Pacific

    Annual Ambassadors’ Forum brings international representatives to campus for networking and knowledge sharing.

    Queen’s representatives and international ambassadors pose together in front of Summerhill, a yearly tradition after the Ambassadors’ Forum.
    Queen’s representatives and international ambassadors pose together in front of Summerhill, a yearly tradition after the Ambassadors’ Forum.

    Diplomats from 10 countries across the Asia-Pacific region met at Queen’s University recently for the Ambassadors' Forum – an annual event that provides opportunities for international networking, knowledge sharing, and collaboration. Representatives from China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, the Philippines, South Korea, and Vietnam joined Queen’s academics and administrators for discussions of international education, partnerships, and economic and political issues.

    “I want to thank our guests for joining this year’s Ambassadors' Forum, and for sharing their invaluable perspectives on opportunities and challenges we all share,” says Tom Harris, Interim Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic). “Effective partnerships are built on communication, so this annual gathering serves as a fantastic opportunity to deepen these connections and explore untapped potential for future collaboration.”

    First held in 2003, the Ambassadors' Forum was developed and nurtured by Hok-Lin Leung, Professor Emeritus in the Queen’s Department for Geography and Planning. The yearly event hosts ambassadors, high commissioners, and national representatives, as well as Queen’s academics and administrators for a luncheon and private guest lecture. This year, David Detomasi, Adjunct Associate Professor at Smith School of Business addressed forum guests with a talk entitled “The New International Trade Order”.

    “I want to thank Dr. Leung for continuing to devote significant time and effort into building and strengthening Queen’s University’s relationships with this important community,” says Dr. Harris.

    Dr. Harris was joined by other administrators in representing Queen’s at the forum, including Fahim Quadir, Dean of the School of Graduate Studies; Kent Novakowski, Associate Vice-Principal (Research); and Jill Scott, Interim Associate Vice-Principal (International).

    “We must continually strive to set the bar higher for ourselves as we work to equip our students with the tools they will need to become global citizens,” says Dr. Scott, who closed out the luncheon with remarks about the social mission of universities like Queen’s.

    The spring edition of the annual Ambassadors' Forum took place at Queen’s on Friday, May 31.

    Castle campus marks 25 years

    Queen’s Bader International Study Centre to celebrate milestone with alumni reunion.

    Queen's Bader International Study Centre
    Queen's Bader International Study Centre (BISC) celebrates 25 years.

    Inside the walls of a nearly 600-year-old English castle, Queen’s alumni, faculty, staff, and friends will soon gather to mark the 25th anniversary of the Queen’s Bader International Study Centre (BISC) housed there. Among them: a NASA astronaut, the Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex, leading academics, Canadian expats, local community members, and those traveling from around the world – all of whom will be on hand from June 29-30, 2019 to celebrate the past, present, and future of the overseas Queen’s campus.

    “For a quarter century, the BISC has been a temporary home to Queen’s students looking to further broaden the scope of their learning,” says Hugh Horton, Vice-Provost and BISC Executive Director. “Here, they are able to engage with scholars from across the world, in a close-knit, interdisciplinary academic environment to not only enhance their education, but give it a truly global dimension.”

    Visionary philanthropists and Queen’s alumni Alfred and Isabel Bader gifted the BISC, located on the Herstmonceux Castle estate in East Sussex, UK, to Queen’s University in 1993, and it opened doors to students in 1994. It has since provided innovative, international undergraduate and graduate programs to over 7,000 Queen’s students, across disciplines as diverse as archaeology, music, international law and politics, global health, international project management, and astronomy. Program offerings continue to grow.

    In 2017, the BISC accepted its first group of students from the Queen’s Concurrent Education Program, which prepares undergraduates to become educators. Students enrolled in this program complete local practicums at primary and secondary schools nearby the BISC campus, providing a hands-on comparative learning experience.

    This year, programming for science students is set to expand with the opening of the BISC’s brand-new teaching science laboratory and innovation design space, allowing the campus to offer practical science subjects on campus for the very first time. The facility will be officially unveiled during the 25th anniversary celebrations.

    The Bader International Study Centre
    Queen's Bader International Study Centre.

    “The Baders envisaged a learning facility that could take the Queen’s educational experience Alfred deeply cherished, and extend its reach internationally,” says Dr. Horton. “With 25-years of BISC alumni now living and working in countries across the world—many of whom are set to join us in celebration of this incredible milestone—and our ever-growing complement of programs, I think their vision has truly taken shape. In honour of their vision, and of Alfred, who passed away late last year, I look forward to continuing our momentum forward into the next 25 years.”

    On June 29, 2019, BISC alumni and their families are invited to the first day of 25th anniversary celebrations. There, they will have a chance to reminisce during castle tours, have tea in the Elizabethan gardens, mingle with professors, and attend the unveiling of a commemorative garden honouring the Baders. NASA astronaut and Queen’s alumnus Drew Feustel, who returned from the International Space Station last October following a six-month mission, will also deliver a keynote address.

    On June 30, the celebration will open to the public and take on a Canadian theme in recognition of the Canada Day weekend. Canadians living in England are encouraged to join alumni on the castle grounds for street hockey, tastes from home such as poutine and Nanaimo bars, falconry and archery demonstrations, and a symphonova performance by the BISC Musicians in Residence, featuring works by Dan School of Drama and Music Professor John Burge.

    Queen’s Principal and Vice-Chancellor Daniel Woolf, Chancellor Jim Leech, and Vice-Principal (Advancement) Karen Bertrand will be among senior leaders there to help mark the milestone.

    “In 1993, the Baders bestowed Queen’s with the BISC; an amazing gift that went on to play a foundational role in extending our university’s global horizons,” says Principal Woolf. “The unique, experiential learning prospects that the facility provides helped inspire us to chart educational linkages with many other institutions and organizations internationally – opening a world of opportunities for our students.”

    Those interested in attending the festivities can register on the website.

    NASA astronaut added to Bader International Study Centre celebration

    [Drew Feustel on the International Space Station]
    NASA astronaut Drew Feustel (PhD’95, DSc’16) will be the keynote speaker at the BISC’s 25th Anniversary Celebration.

    The last time astronaut Drew Feustel talked to the Queen’s community, he was floating 408 kilometres above Earth on the International Space Station.

    Dr. Feustel (PhD'95, DSc'16), who returned to Earth in October after a six-month mission, has been named the keynote speaker at the Bader International Study Centre’s (BISC) 25th Anniversary Celebration from June 29-30. During his mission, Dr. Feustel participated in a live question-and-answer session with the Queen’s and Kingston communities by video – a first for the university.

    BISC Vice-Provost and Executive Director Hugh Horton is thrilled to add an astronaut to the weekend’s lineup of activities because it ties into the Castle’s astronomical history. Before Herstmonceux Castle was donated by Alfred Bader (Sc’45, Arts’46, MSc’47, LLD’86) and Isabel Bader (LLD’07) to Queen’s in the early 1990s, it was home to the Royal Greenwich Observatory from 1957 to 1988. The observatory is still on the grounds, and the BISC also offers an introductory astronomy course.

    “Drew helped repair the Hubble Telescope during his space shuttle mission,” says Dr. Horton. “He is an alumnus who has had a profound impact on science. For years, students and researchers at the Castle have studied astronomy. Now we will learn from someone who has the first-hand experience of life in space.”

    Additional activities planned for the BISC 25th anniversary weekend include Castle tours, Queen’s tea in the Elizabethan gardens, chances to mingle with BISC professors, falconry, archery, and the dedication of a new tricolour-themed garden in memory of Alfred Bader. On June 30, the Castle will open up to the community for Canada Day celebrations. Organizers are hoping Canadians living in England will join alumni for street hockey, tastes from home such as poutine and Nanaimo bars, and a concert by the BISC Musicians in Residence featuring works by Dan School of Drama and Music Professor John Burge.

    Many alumni will be reminiscing about the past 25 years at Herstmonceux Castle, but Dr. Horton also wants people to think about the next 25 years.

    “The celebration is as much about looking forward as it is about looking back,” he says. “Twenty-five years ago we essentially took an abandoned castle and turned it into a modern university campus with small class sizes and cutting-edge learning tools designed to create an exceptional learning environment. Now we want to share our plans with alumni on how the BISC student experience is going to evolve and improve in the future.”

    One change is a new teaching science lab and innovation design space. It will be unveiled by Queen Elizabeth II’s representative, the Lord Lieutenant of East Sussex, on June 29. The new lab is part of BISC’s plans to expand its course offerings to include more science-based programs.

    Several senior Queen’s administrators will travel to England to take part in the celebrations, including Principal and Vice-Chancellor Daniel Woolf (Artsci’80), Chancellor Jim Leech (MBA’73), and Vice-Principal (Advancement) Karen Bertrand (Artsci’94).

    For details about the event, or to register, visit the Queen’s alumni website.

    This article was first published on the Queen's Alumni website.

    Queen’s around the world

    • OVERALL WINNER/PEOPLE'S CHOICE: Henry Memmott – Fisherman on Inle Lake,  Myanmar
      OVERALL WINNER/PEOPLE'S CHOICE: Henry Memmott – Fisherman on Inle Lake, Myanmar
    • LANDSCAPE/NATURE: Matthew Degeer – Sunrise at Lower Lake - New York
      LANDSCAPE/NATURE: Matthew Degeer – Sunrise at Lower Lake - New York
    • PEOPLE & CULTURE: Alexa Reid – Mamazuzu, Vietnam
      PEOPLE & CULTURE: Alexa Reid – Mamazuzu, Vietnam
    • HOME AWAY FROM HOME: Nadia El Dabee – Toes in the Bay, India
      HOME AWAY FROM HOME: Nadia El Dabee – Toes in the Bay, India
    • CRITICAL GLOBAL ISSUES: Emily Marriott – Iceberg, Iceland (Global warming)
      CRITICAL GLOBAL ISSUES: Emily Marriott – Iceberg, Iceland (Global warming)

    Increasingly, the international experience is becoming an integral part of a post-secondary education. 

    At Queen’s a growing number of students participate in global learning opportunities through Queen’s exchanges and other programs. At the same time, a diverse group of students arrive at the university from around the world. 

    Through the Queen’s University International Centre (QUIC) Photo Contest, now in its 11th year, students have the opportunity to share their experiences, whether here in Kingston, somewhere in Canada, or at any point across the globe. The contest continues to draw stunning photos with close to 150 students participating.

    “A photo is a snapshot capturing a journey where exploration and learning takes place. We sometimes find ourselves come across instances and experiences where words cannot capture the essence of the moment we are experiencing,” says QUIC Director Sultan Almajil. “Photography allows us to share a story and provides viewers an opportunity to see the world through our students’ eyes. I am very proud of QUIC’s photo contest legacy and look forward to continue supporting our students in their journey and telling us their stories.”

    This year’s winning photo, as selected by a panel of judges, was submitted by Henry Memmott, an exchange student from the University of St Andrews in Scotland where he studies biology and geography. The photo catches a fisherman on Inle Lake in Myanmar as he casts his net. The photo also won the People’s Choice Award.

    Memmott arrived at Queen’s as part of the new dual-placement Tri-SEP exchange program that allows students to study the Global Environmental Challenges of the 21st Century at Queen’s University, St Andrews, and the National University of Singapore.

    The contest features four categories – People and Culture; Landscape / Nature; Home Away From Home; Critical Global Issues.

    This year’s category winners are:
    People & Culture
    1: Alexa Reid: Mamazuzu - Vietnam
    2: Nikhil Arora: Peaceful Reflections - Abu Dhabi.
    3: Sydnie D'Aoust: All in a Day’s Work - India.

    Landscape / Nature
    1: Matthew Degeer: Sunrise at Lower Lake - New York.
    2: Jordan Bertagnolli: Failed Hunt - India.
    3: Gizem Ozdil: Istanbul - Turkey.

    Home away from Home
    1: Nadia El Dabee: Toes in the Bay - India.
    2: Atefeh Azizitorghabeh: Snowman at John Orr Tower - Kingston.
    3: Jessie Han: Farewell - BISC at Herstmonceux, UK.

    Critical Global Issues
    1: Emily Marriott: Iceberg – Iceland – (Global warming) 
    2: Monique Sereno: Staring Contest - China (Endangered species, social media). 
    3: Bruna Gallo: Viewing Machine - Brazil (Environmental degradation). 

    •   •   •

    All of the winning photos can be viewed on the QUIC page on Flickr. Learn more about the opportunities offered by QUIC.

    Japan-Canada relations in an era of global change

    Students discuss strategies through which the two countries can tackle shared challenges.

    JACAC participants posing for a photo with Consul General of Japan in Toronto, Takako Ito (fourth from left).
    JACAC participants at Queen's with the Consul General of Japan in Toronto, Takako Ito (fourth from left).

    Canadian and Japanese university students recently gathered at Queen's University to discuss contemporary and future relations between the countries at the 10th annual Japan-Canada Academic Consortium (JACAC) Student Forum.

    Trcolour Globe
    Queen's in the World

    A group of 28 high-achieving students from schools across Canada and Japan learned how the two G8 partners can continue to promote positive progress in an era of increasing interconnectedness, shifts in governance, and global political, economic, and environmental risks.

    “Experiential, cross-cultural learning opportunities like the JACAC Student Forum are so important for young people seeking future careers in an increasingly connected global society,” says Jill Scott, Interim Associate Vice-Principal (International). “Engaging peers in thoughtful conversation about diverse worldviews helps students hone their abilities to build understanding and collaborative relationships capable of inspiring positive and equitable change.”

    Comprised of 14 Japanese participants and 14 Canadian participants – including Queen’s student Nathan Bateman – the group heard from academic experts in international relations, the Consul General of Japan in Toronto, Takako Ito, as well as former Canadian Ambassador to Japan and Queen's alumnus Mackenzie Clugston.

    JACAC participants making their final presentations at the Japanese Embassy in Ottawa.
    JACAC participants making their final presentations at the Japanese Embassy in Ottawa.

    As part of the forum, participants were also divided into groups to prepare a final presentation for a panel of expert judges at the Japanese embassy in Ottawa, where they traveled during the final days of the forum. Each group assumed a simulated role of G8 member-states to discuss and define strategies for promoting global peace and security, climate change action, trade, and technological innovation.

    Final presentations were assessed by the panel, which included Yukako Ochi, First Secretary of the Japanese Embassy; Kwansei Gakuin University professor, Takamichi Mito; Seinan Gakuin University professor, Christian Winkler; University of Waterloo professor, David Welch; and Dr. Scott.

    Borne out of the Canada-Japan University Rectors Roundtable in 2004, the JACAC Student Forum is one of many longstanding student exchange partnerships between Queen’s and Japanese institutions. Additionally, Queen’s also has 10 active academic agreements with Japanese institutions, and over 120 active alumni in Japan.

    “It is an honour for Queen’s to host the JACAC Student Forum on its 10th anniversary,” says Dr. Scott. “This milestone not only speaks to the lasting impact the forum has on Canadian and Japanese students, but also to the strength of the relationship between our two countries, which celebrate 90 years of diplomatic relations this year as well.”

    Among distinguished Queen’s alumni is the late Prince Takamado Norihito, a member of Japan's imperial family, who spent much of his life dedicated to fostering a strong relationship between Canada and Japan. Since 2004, the Prince Takamado Visiting Student Scholarship created in his memory has provided Japanese undergraduate students with an annual opportunity to be awarded a fully-funded year of study at Queen’s.

    Students interested in participating in next year’s JACAC Student Forum should visit the JACAC website.

    Scholars at risk

    Queen’s joins international network created to protect threatened academics.

    Queen’s University has become the newest member of Scholars at Risk (SAR) – an international network of institutions and individuals working to protect scholars facing threats to their lives, liberty, and well-being.

    Queen’s School of Medicine students, who recently championed the university’s involvement with SAR, marked the occasion with a lecture by historian Evren Altinkas, who secured an academic position at the University of Guelph through SAR after he had to resign his university position and flee Turkey due to his research and activism.

    Evren Altinkas speaks to students at Queen's University.
    Evren Altinkas speaks to students at Queen's University, marking Queen's University's membership to Scholars at Risk.

    “We were so happy to host Dr. Altinkas at Queen’s University for a lunchtime lecture during his time as a Scholar at Risk at the University of Guelph,” says Nicole Asztalos, one of the Queen’s medical students who first pursued the SAR program. “His work on academic freedom around the world and the struggles that he and his family have experienced because of this work highlight why the SAR network is important. It was also an excellent opportunity for the Queen’s community to learn more about this organization and the types of people who we can help by being involved." 

    On Feb. 8, Dr. Altinkas spoke to members of the Queen’s community about his experience as part of his lecture on historical insights on academics and academic freedom in Europe, North America, and the Middle East. He discussed his involvement with SAR, and subsequent recruitment to University of Guelph. In addition, he provided insights into how accessibility of academic thought could be enhanced in Canada.

    “It was a tremendous opportunity to have Dr. Altinkas share his journey with the Queen's community,” says Danielle Weber-Adrian, another Queen’s medical student. “With his presentation, Queen's University has launched its involvement in the Scholars at Risk program – an endeavor we hope to nurture into an ongoing legacy.”

    Following his lecture, Dr. Altinkas met with Tom Harris, Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic), and Jill Scott, Interim Associate Vice-Principal (International), to discuss in more detail how Queen’s can implement SAR initiatives on campus.

    “Scholars at Risk is doing important international work to ensure that academics are free to think, question, and communicate their work,” Dr. Scott says. “I’m pleased to announce Queen’s University’s membership to the network, and look forward to engaging the campus community, particularly our faculty members.”

    As a member, Queen’s is now able to participate in the full offerings of the network including participating in human rights research and legal clinics, and potentially hosting a scholar on campus.

    For more information on the SAR program, contact the Office of the Associate Vice-Principal (International).

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