McMaster to Host Upcoming U21 Educational Innovation Symposium in June 2023

McMaster University will host the 2023 U21 Educational Innovation Symposium from June 28-30, 2023. This event will bring together colleagues across the global U21 network as they confront the challenges and opportunities of this new era in Higher Education.

To read more, click here.

New Director Appointed to the Office of International Affairs

The Office of International Affairs has appointed Dr. Amira El Masri as its new Director. Amira comes with a wealth of academic and applied experience in international education and partnership development in higher education. She has worked in a range of senior international education strategy-oriented roles nationally and internationally, supporting postsecondary education institutions to embrace the transformative power of international engagement, collaboration and learning. She is an award-winning researcher and has taught courses at universities in Canada and internationally. As a scholar-practitioner, Amira’s professional experience is informed by her academic and research interests. She earned her Ph.D. from the Faculty of Education at York University. Her doctoral research, funded by the Joseph Bombardier – SSHRC Doctoral Fellowship Award, was a critical policy study of Ontario’s international education policymaking. She has published many peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters focusing on international education policy, the international student experience, the geopolitics of international education, and internationalizing teacher education programs.

Internationalization at McMaster Event

Dr. Bonny Ibhawoh, Vice-Provost, International, speaking to the audience; Dr. Matheus Grasselli, Deputy Provost, and Dr. Bonny Ibhawoh, Vice-Provost, International, during the Q&A session.

On March 29, the Office of International Affairs and the Office of the Provost hosted the Internationalization at McMaster event. At McMaster, internationalization centers on inclusive global engagement through the integration of intercultural and global dimensions of student experience, support for international research through global partnerships, and strengthening McMaster’s global identity.

McMaster Joining SDG Week Canada

The SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) Week Canada is an annual national collaboration. In partnership with the State of New York, the University Global Coalition began this initiative with the help of local leaders such as the University of British Columbia and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) Canada. This year, for the first time, McMaster participated by holding an SDG pitch competition with an information session, during which students addressed three challenges: one at McMaster, one in Hamilton, and one internationally.

To read more, click here.

McMaster Celebrates Five-Year Anniversary with Academics Without Borders

This year marks the fifth anniversary of a unique partnership between McMaster University and Academics Without Borders (AWB) to enhance the quality of higher education in the developing world. In 2016, McMaster joined AWB’s Network of Canadian Universities and Colleges. As one of the first institutions to join, McMaster faculty and staff have been able to access partnership opportunities with academic institutions around the globe, which opened new avenues for McMaster’s world-class faculty and staff to contribute to graduate education and research, particularly in the Sciences.

To read more, click here.

6th MENA Higher Education Leadership Forum Call for International Case Studies

The 6th MENA Higher Education Leadership Forum will follow the theme “Towards a New Generation of Engaged Universities: The Need to Act, Adapt and Transform.” Participants can join plenary sessions, panel discussions, debates, and focus groups, and are invited to submit case studies that align with the theme and at least one of the tracks:

• Innovation for Societal Impact
• Adapting Teaching and Learning
• Innovative Research
• Enhancing the Student Experience

The event will take place in person in Dubai from April 16 to 18, 2024.

To read more, click here.

University Partnerships

McMaster University maintains a large number of institutional international agreements, including student exchanges and mobility agreements. For further information on applying, incoming students can contact International Student Services and outgoing students can contact Study and Research Abroad in the Student Success Centre.

Are you a McMaster faculty member looking for assistance in establishing a new international partnership or agreement? Please contact oia@mcmaster.ca.

To view McMaster’s student exchange and mobility list, click here.

McMaster University Partners with University of Science & Technology, China (USTC)

In February, McMaster University partnered with the University of Science & Technology, China (USTC), to provide a customized virtual eHealth program and selection of courses.

To read Xinhua News’ article on this, “Road to Medical Education,” click here.

Group picture of the online eHealth Program offered by McMaster University for the first graduating class of USTC’s medical program.

Read more about Aaron C. Pendwe’s visit on @McMasterGlobal’s Twitter.

Traveling German Canadian Exhibit Visits McMaster

The traveling exhibit Enterprises of the Human Spirit: 50 Years of Scientific Excellence in Germany and Canada, which visited McMaster from 2017-18, came for the second time in November 2022. The exhibit consisted of eight linear double-sided banners (0.9m x 2.2m) and two large curved single-sided banners (2.9m x 2.2m).

Ms. Christin Furtwängler, Head of Communications and Culture, Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, Ottawa, Canada, and Florian Schrieverhoff, Vice Consul, Cultural, Press and Economic Affairs, Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany, visited McMaster University and met with Dr. Bonny Ibhawoh, Vice-Provost, International, and with Dr. Sandeep Raha, Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics and Director, McMaster Children and Youth University (MCYU).

Scholars at Risk Program (SARP)

In 2022, in close collaboration and consultation with McMaster faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community, McMaster University’s six Faculties and the Office of the Provost launched two new funds: the Scholars at Risk Program (SARP) and the Students at Risk Bursary (SARB) to support forcibly displaced students, scholars, and researchers. This includes refugees, those displaced within their country of origin, or those living in conflict-ridden situations and at risk of violence. The establishment of the funds is a humanitarian response to address the growing forcible displacement of students and scholars globally and builds on McMaster’s commitment to global citizenship and increasing access to education for all.  This provides support to McMaster faculty, departments, and research centers in employing forcibly displaced researchers and scholars remotely and locally. Currently, there are three SARP research scholars and four SARB students who have come to McMaster.

SARP is managed by the Office of International Affairs and SARB is managed by Student Affairs, Office of the Registrar.

To read more about SARP, click here.