When we first began developing our newsletter, one of our primary objectives was to streamline our communication efforts with the wider Carleton community. Every three months, our subscribers could expect to find the most up-to-date information regarding our office’s activities. This particular publication is only our third, and yet we’re already finding that we have so many more exciting stories and opportunities to share than we had initially anticipated.

Reflecting upon this early success, we’ve officially decided to shorten the window between publications from three months to two. Not only will this give us additional space per newsletter, but it will allow us to publish more relevant and time sensitive content.

Please visit our newsletter webpage to check out the newest release schedule. We can’t wait to share more with you!

Our social media profile is expanding! You can now follow us on LinkedIn. We’re excited to give the Carleton community more ways to stay connected to the university’s international office. Whether you’re staff or faculty, student or alum, growing your network on LinkedIn is a great way to remain engaged.

If you aren’t already, you can also follow us on Twitter.

Given current global events, we have gathered some resources to help those in our community make an informed decision on how to support Ukraine in the ongoing conflict. Donate to the Scholars at Risk network, which is assisting the higher education community in the region, or to the African Canadian Association of Ottawa, which is helping BIPOC international students in Ukraine and those who have fled to Poland. You can also donate directly to the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, or use their services to provide more personalized assistance, such as legal aid, housing, and childcare.

On our website, you will also find up-to-date information regarding immigration and refugee measures, including the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel. CUAET is a special temporary resident pathway that provides Ukrainian nationals and their family members the ability to work or study in Canada for up to 3 years. Most fees related to the application and processing of the CUAET have been waived. Key services available as they settle into their new communities include orientation to life in Canada, language training, and school enrollment. Over 60,000 Ukrainian nationals have already applied.

Carleton is also working closely with the Canadian Bureau for International Education and is looking to their leadership for how institutions can help. They are engaged in advocacy with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to create a pathway for Ukrainians to come to Canada more easily.

Carleton is fully dedicated to serving our world by helping academics in other countries who are facing threats due to their scholarship. Researchers from Carleton and the University of British Columbia are teaming up to help Afghan scholars at risk establish a new intellectual community in Canada. This joint research project is made possible thanks to a $1.096 million dollar grant from the International Development Research Centre.

Using a human rights-centric approach, it seeks to support the resettlement of Afghan academics and activists by helping form a resilient Afghan scholarly diaspora. It recognizes the importance of providing academic freedom and the space and support to rebuild communities, establish intergenerational connections, and preserve past and local knowledge. Their unique research will also provide a new model for how global research communities can respond to comparable threats to the sector in the future.

Click here to read more about this important project.

Back in March, a small group of delegates from Carleton—including the Associate Vice-President (Research and International) and the Dean of the Sprott School of Business—attended the Canada-MENA Education Partnerships Forum in Dubai. This gathering was designed to give Canadian institutions of higher education information about universities in the region, and vice versa. It was an opportunity to network and talk about different university environments, programs, and internationalization efforts and ambitions. With a day reserved for site visits, it also allowed time for tours of the Canadian University Dubai and Higher Colleges of Technology, Dubai Men’s Campus.

Prior to the forum, the Jordanian Trade Commissioner and the Canadian Trade Commissioner in Jordan had begun talks about establishing new connections between our two countries. These meetings went well and laid the groundwork for Carleton to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Jordan University of Science and Technology. Currently, this is our only MOU with Jordan. We’re excited by this new partnership and looking forward to collaborating on future initiatives.

During their stay in Dubai, members of the Carleton delegation had the opportunity to attend Expo 2020, at which they joined the Canada’s National Day celebration. This day included an appearance by the Governor General and the regional premiere of Peace by Chocolate, a Canadian film inspired by the true story of the Hadhad family, Syrian refugees who settled in Nova Scotia and opened an artisanal chocolate shop.

Research mobility has become a crucial aspect of internationalization over the past couple decades. However, once travel restrictions were introduced as a result of the pandemic, universities across the world faced difficult questions on how best to support international research. Up until 2020, research mobility had traditionally been done in-person at Carleton, and so we were forced to rethink the ways we offer these opportunities and encourage global collaborations.

Recognizing the many advantages of modern technology, we quickly pivoted to a virtual space. Our new Virtual Research Visits program continues to champion international research activities in spite of Covid-19. This is done through the use of various web-based communication tools, which allow scholars to conduct research at Carleton from their home countries. Since April 2020, we have welcomed more than 35 virtual visiting scholars who have started over 30 research projects.

Click here to learn more about our pivot to virtual and to find out what scholars are saying about their experiences.

Since 2017, the International Internship Program, managed by Career Services in partnership with the Faculty of Public Affairs, has been an excellent way for students to gain real-world work experience, develop key employability skills, and receive an immersive cultural experience that strengthens their job prospects post-graduation.

At the onset of the pandemic, the program pivoted to offer virtual internships, moving quickly to relaunch in the summer 2020 term. This new offering grants students the same opportunities, all while working remotely.

“Through the International Internship Program, I had the opportunity to virtually intern at the United Nations Association in Canada (UNA-Canada) and gain experience in the development of an entrepreneurial youth-focused program that serves multi-barriered youth across Canada… I was able to develop my project management and stakeholder relationship skills which has been extremely rewarding for my professional development. This experience has led me into accepting a full-time position as a Project Officer with UNA-Canada. I am grateful to the International Internship Program team for supporting me.”

-Inaara Jivraj, Bachelor of Global and International Studies
International Internship Program participant winter 2021

Click here to read more student testimonials. Applications for a 2022 summer term virtual internship will be accepted until early May.

June may be right around the corner, but did you know there are a number of ways to remain engaged and receive support post-graduation?

BGInS students are welcome to attend the annual fall Grad Studies Workshop, which not only provides information on applying to grad school, but is an amazing opportunity to reconnect with staff and faculty regardless of your academic ambitions. If you’re interested in other future events, you can request to be added to the BGInS events contact list.

By clicking here, you can inform the program administrators on what kind of study, work, and travel opportunities you’ve encountered since leaving university. They are always happy to hear from former students. You are also encouraged to follow BGInS across their social channels: LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram.

For all Carleton students, Career Services offers help on preparing your CV and cover letter, as well as job search and interview training. Several networking events are also available through Career Services.

We’d love to hear from you! If you have any content recommendations or suggestions on how we can improve our newsletter, please contact Nathaniel Whelan.