The Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) annual conference is happening from November 13-16 in Toronto. This year’s theme is Finding Balance, a forward-thinking approach to recovery as the international community emerges from several years of upheaval and uncertainty. Various representatives from Waterloo are presenting sessions at the conference including Waterloo International’s Ian Rowlands, Associate Vice-President, International, and Chris Peace, Associate Director, Operations. Refer to the detailed list below for more information on Waterloo activities throughout that week or check out the CBIE program site for more information.
Global Challenge: An Innovative Program Connecting Students Across the Globe (virtual)
Karima Ramji, Associate Director, International, Indigenous & Strategic Initiatives, Co-op & Career Services, University of Victoria
Shabnam Ivkovic, Director, International Strategic Initiatives, University of Waterloo
The WACE Global Challenge activates a global network of universities and teams of diverse students to assist organizations in advancing initiatives aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Learn about this unique virtual work-integrated learning program, what program elements contribute to its success, and how institutions can participate.
Perspectives from a University’s International Office on Leading Staff in the Future of Work (virtual)
Chris Peace, Associate Director, International Operations, University of Waterloo International Relations
Managers of international offices face various challenges and opportunities in leading staff as workplaces evolve and adapt as a result of experiences gained during the COVID-19 pandemic. This presentation is intended to discuss these challenges and opportunities and to link them to relevant examples from the University of Waterloo International Office in an effort to spur interest in this important topic related to the future of work. This session will provide some suggested best practices that managers can employ to effectively adapt and/or embrace the unique challenges and opportunities that international offices will face with regard to leading staff and the future of work.
Developing and Implementing Authorized Leave of Absence Policies for Undergraduate International Students
Boon Khoo, Manager, Immigration Consulting, University of Waterloo
Charlene Mak, International student advisor: Immigration and University Regulations, Wilfrid Laurier University
Matthew Keefe, International Student Advisor, University of Guelph
Megan Sager, Director, International Student Services, Western University
Developing and Implementing Authorized Leave of Absence Policies for Undergraduate International Students Willow East | Mezzanine Student Advising + Success Concurrent Session This session showcases the successes and challenges of how four institutions piloted and implemented leave of absence policies, practices, and documentation to benefit international students. Using the recent IRCC program delivery updates requiring documentation for authorized leaves as a catalyst, presenters will review academic policies and practices developed prior to internationalization initiatives.
International Agreements: Navigating Complexities and Mitigating Risks in an Ever-Changing World
Andrea Morrow, Director, International Relations, University of Calgary
Chris Peace, Associate Director, International Operations, University of Waterloo
Ian Rowlands, Associate Vice-President, International, University of Waterloo
Janaka Ruwanpura, VPI & VPRI, University of Calgary
This hot-topic discussion session will provide an overview of the complexities of developing global partnerships and signing agreements or MOUs and will share best practices in managing and accessing associated risks. To achieve this, presenters will provide a brief presentation to set the context and then will use case studies to facilitate discussion amongst participants in small groups. Presenters will summarize the conversations and share resources and toolkits developed by the University of Calgary and the University of Waterloo to assess and manage the risks of these types of agreements.
Embedding United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals-related Activities in International Education
Norah McRae, Associate Provost, Co-operative and Experiential Education, University of Waterloo
Shabnam Ivkovic, Director, International Strategic Initiatives, Co-op & Experiential Education, University of Waterloo
The need to prepare students to become change agents for creating a sustainable world builds a compelling case for quality work-integrated learning (WIL) design. In this session, presenters will share the development and outcomes of an initiative to grow employer and intern awareness and engagement with the UN’s SDGs. Presenters will then facilitate a deep discussion on the value and methods of incorporating such activities to develop a sustainability-related change agent mentality in an institution’s student body
