TORONTO, ONTARIO, OCTOBER 18, 2010-Canadian students have new international exchange opportunities thanks to a post-secondary partnership created through the International Academic Mobility initiative. The Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development. York University will receive funding for student exchanges under the Program for North American Mobility in Higher Education.
"Under this program and the broader International Academic Mobility initiative, students will be better prepared for the workforce and exposed to different ideas and new techniques within their fields of study," said Minister Flaherty. "This kind of collaboration will deliver important contributions to Canadian training and development and will make Canada more globally competitive."
York University will receive $152,680 from the Government of Canada to help fund the Migration Studies Initiatives to Promote Curricular Development and a North American Community project.
The project will provide Canadian, American and Mexican students in the fields of social work, education, psychology and sociology with a comprehensive and uniquely North American perspective. With a curricular focus on migration and immigrant integration, students will benefit from learning directly through the vantage points of migrants and their origin, transition and destination countries.
The Program for North American Mobility in Higher Education coordinates academic exchanges and academic cooperation activities between Canada, the United States and Mexico. Since its launch in 1995, 116 projects have been funded, involving 72 different educational institutions in Canada. Approximately 200 students from the three countries participate each year.
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This news release is available in alternative formats on request.
For further information (media only):
Michelle Bakos
Press Secretary
Office of Minister Finley
819-994-2482
Media Relations Office
Human Resources and
Skills Development Canada
819-994-5559
The International Academic Mobility initiative offers international learning opportunities to students through student mobility and academic cooperation exchanges between post-secondary institutions in Canada, the United States, Mexico and the European Union. There are three program areas under the initiative: the Program for North American Mobility in Higher Education; the Canada-European Union Program for Co-operation in Higher Education, Training and Youth; and the Special Initiatives Program.
Since the launch of the International Academic Mobility initiative in 1995, approximately 400 Canadian university and college students each year have gained international skills through study experiences abroad. New education technologies and distance learning allow students to benefit from the international linkages established under various mobility projects.
The International Academic Mobility initiative works with its international government partners to support collaboration in the areas of international academic mobility, curriculum development, mutual credit recognition and student exchange. Students learn from broadened international curricula and benefit from enhanced skills and knowledge as a result of the international dimension of their studies.
