Hardly a day passes when issues related to globalization do not dominate the news. While I, as an imperial historian, would be quick to remind ourselves that globalization is not new – the speed and scale of events with global implications, and the degree to which lives everywhere are affected, is without historical parallel.
The Faculty of Arts is justly proud of the multitude of ways in which our research and learning explores and helps make sense of rapid global change. Acting on one of our core values stated in the Arts Strategic Plan, global thinking and engagement, we continue to strengthen Arts programming with initiatives designed to develop cross-cultural experiences and global literacies that will empower and enable students. Our highly successful undergraduate Global Business and Digital Arts program based at the Stratford Campus is a strong example, as are the graduate programs in Global Governance housed at the Balsillie School of International Affairs.
Over the past year I have had many opportunities to witness the contributions of the University of Waterloo within globalized contexts, such as this fall when I joined the UWaterloo delegation to Hong Kong. Our alumni there are so active and visible that the local universities take note. In the photo above, I'm surrounded by the impressively large and vibrant group of Hong Kong Arts alumni at the 60th anniversary gala dinner.
An exciting new initiative is the Global Engagement Seminar, launched this winter term. Generously supported by the Jarislowsky Foundation, the seminar combines several UWaterloo trademark strengths: its curriculum is experiential by design, its application is focused on external communities, and it draws senior undergraduates from across the campus creating unique opportunities for interdisciplinary collaborations.
While these programs I mention are indeed explicitly global in focus, students in all Arts programs have a variety of opportunities to globalize their learning — which we never tire of emphasizing, including in this issue of Arts & Letters. I hope you find the articles and ideas herein by our global community of alumni, donors, students and faculty interesting and inspiring.
Top banner photo: Several hundred campus community members gathered in the Arts Quad on January 31, 2017, for a rally and vigil in response to the Quebec City mosque attack. The #WeAreAllUWaterloo rally was organized by members of the Dept. of English Language and Literature, the Muslim Students Association, with support and opening ceremony by the Waterloo Aboriginal Education Centre.
