UCalgary receives additional funding for internships in international development

The Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarships (QES) program has provided University of Calgary students the opportunity to work in Sri Lanka, Kenya, India and other countries they never imagined they would have the opportunity to visit; immersing them in local culture, and giving them the opportunity to make a real difference in the communities where they worked.

On Feb. 22, QES announced that $5.8 million of funding has been awarded to support 650 students in 20 Canadian university-led projects. The University of Calgary will receive $300,000, allowing students to travel abroad and build leadership and cross-cultural skills. An estimated 39 University of Calgary and international students will undertake internships and research in Canada and abroad, interning at organizations such as the University for Peace in Costa Rica, the Centre for Urban and Regional Excellence in India, and the Bahir Dar Institute of Technology in Ethiopia.

“This program is a great opportunity for our students to gain international experience and share knowledge between countries and institutions,” says Janaka Ruwanpura, vice-provost (international). “Thirty-seven scholars have travelled to countries such as India, Uganda, Tanzania and found their experience life-changing.”

QES launched in 2014, and has engaged universities in every province, with funding that enables scholars to participate in a global exchange. It aims to activate a dynamic community of young global leaders to create lasting impacts both at home and abroad through inter-cultural exchanges encompassing international education, discovery and inquiry, and professional experiences.

The University of Calgary’s engagement in the QES program is aligned with its support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity.

In 2017, the University of Calgary won the Global Compact Network Canada 2017 SDG Award recognizing the university’s efforts toward meeting the 17 SDGs by 2030. The University of Calgary’s International Strategy outlines how the university is helping achieve eight of the 17 SDGs: No Poverty; Zero Hunger; Gender Equality; Good Health and Well-Being; Clean Water and Sanitation; Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure; Climate Action; and Partnerships for the Goals. 

The QES program is managed through a unique partnership between the Rideau Hall Foundation, Universities Canada and the Community Foundations of Canada. It is funded by the Government of Canada, provincial governments, the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), universities, and a wide range of private sector donors.

Recruitment for the upcoming year will open soon.