Advancing Global Engagement

The Global Engagement & Internationalization strategy aims to expand York’s global reach

In March 2023, York launched Engaging the World: York University’s Internationalization and Global Engagement Strategy, 2022-2027, which complements York’s commitment to advancing global engagement as outlined in the Academic Plan 2020-2025. The strategy aims to expand the University’s global reach and position it as a positive force for global challenges like climate change, poverty, inequality and political polarization. 

Internationalization has been a part of York University’s identity since it was founded in 1959 and is a defining feature of the institution. As one of the most diverse universities in Canada, the new strategy will build on York’s existing successes in facilitating intercultural student learning and intersectional research partnerships. 

The Internationalization and Global Engagement Strategy outlines four strategic priorities, which will guide the work of the University’s Faculties and departments, including:  

• expanding inclusive global and intercultural learning; 
• enhancing the experience of international students; 
• engaging in global research and innovation;
• and elevating global stewardship, partnerships, profile and impact. 

The new strategy also supports other important institutional strategies, including the Strategic Research Plan, Sustainability Strategy and others.  

Schulich ExecEd Program graduates first cohort in Guyana in Hospital Leadership

An innovative new partnership between the Schulich School of Business and the Ministry of Health, Government of Guyana is contributing to transformational change in the country’s health care sector. 

Schulich ExecEd, which is an extension of Schulich School of Business, provides students with real-world leadership and management experience. A partnership with the Government of Guyana led to the creation of the Schulich ExecEd-Guyana Masters Certificate in Hospital Leadership Program, which provided 25 administrative leaders across all 10 regions of Guyana with interpersonal skills and hands-on business tools that can be used to identify and manage health care challenges, improve health care administration, leadership and service delivery.  

The tailored program builds on Schulich’s vast experience in developing senior healthcare leaders over the past two decades. 

More than 900 students have taken advantage of global learning opportunities

York’s Globally Networked Learning (GNL) program is redefining global education by providing inclusive and accessible international opportunities for students and professors.  

Launched as part of the pandemic response in summer of 2020, GNL offers an accessible way to internationalize teaching and learning experiences by combining cross-cultural perspectives with the use of technology.​ Since its inception, there have been 56 GNL projects, with eight projects taking place in the 2022-2023 academic year. A total of 1600+ students from York and partner institutions participated in GNL courses. 

GNL allows students to participate online, providing global learning opportunities for students who may face barriers to travelling abroad. Students gain digital fluency, cross-cultural competencies and expanded global perspectives, as they connect with students in other countries.  

Faculty can co-design collaborative activities for students with their peers abroad based on desired learning outcomes. Integrated supports for Faculty members include some financial assistance, access to a network of 300+ partners across 60 countries, and hands-on support in developing the projects. 

York’s GNL program has also attracted high acclaim for its groundbreaking approach to online internationalization. In 2022, the Canadian Bureau of International Education awarded the Panorama Excellence Award to York’s GNL program.  

York continues to empower its students with the tools to succeed at home and abroad 

With the return of international travel, York University is advancing global engagement through international exchanges and internships. These programs offer life-changing international opportunities to journey to diverse locations, and enable students to enhance their academic growth, career-readiness, and personal development. 

Summer and short-term program offerings and participation has increased, along with the number of students interested in summer schools. In Summer 2023, 20 students have embarked on international summer internships and over 251 students participated in summer courses led by York faculty at the Keele, Glendon, and Las Nubes campuses. Additionally, over 100 outgoing exchange students and more than 175 incoming exchange students have been planned for the 2023-2024 academic year. ​ 

York University will continue to embrace the potential of international education through in-person exchanges, as it prepares its students to thrive in an ever-changing global landscape. 

Canada in Asia Conference brings together partners to strengthen ties between Canada and the Asia-Pacific Region

York University was an academic sponsor of the inaugural Canada in Asia Conference (CIAC), which took place in Singapore in February 2023. The conference was attended by CEOs, ministers, government officials, university leaders and alumni, with the united goal to strengthen Canada’s ties in the Asia-Pacific region.  

A delegation from York attended the conference, which included President Rhonda Lenton, who moderated a panel on higher education partnerships in Asia. During and outside the conference, she also advocated for Canada’s strengths as a partner and York’s unique  leadership in advancing the SDGs.  

During her time in Singapore, President Lenton also met with senior government officials, university leaders, alumni and industry representatives from Canada and the Asia-Pacific region to further strengthen international ties between the regions.

CIAC was organized by the Asia-Pacific Foundation of Canada and Universities Canada. It marked an important step for Canada towards its commitment to invest billions of dollars towards growing Canada’s Asia-Pacific Engagement via the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and other Asia-Pacific priority markets.  

International engagement will support recruitment and partnerships

York has elevated its in-person global engagement both at home and abroad post-pandemic, by participating in numerous international trips and hosting over 40 visiting delegations.  

Over the last year, York made visits to Israel, India, Mexico, Singapore, South Korea, the Philippines, Vietnam, Hong Kong (SAR), the United Sates and Brazil. These visits included meetings with academic partners, alumni, government and other stakeholders in support of advancing global engagement. 

York also hosted high-level delegations from South Africa as part of its Africa Engagement Strategy. This included hosting South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Buti Manamela, followed by a visit from the National Research Council (SA) and Universities South Africa to continue discussions on developing a framework for collaboration and joint research funding calls. 

Other visiting delegations focused on recruitment, research, global learning, faculty exchange and capacity building​.  

York also became a member of Canada and Latin America Research and Exchange Opportunities (CALAREO), the Canada-Caribbean Institute (CCI) and UN Academic Impact (UNAI). York also strengthened relations with the Hemispheric University Consortium, the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, the Canada China Business Council (CCBC) and the Shastri Indo-Canadian Institute.