Your January 2023 edition
Welcome to the International Insights newsletter, a monthly roundup of news, opportunities and updates with an international focus, curated by Western International for the Western community.
Indonesian exchange students experience Canada and share culture at Western
Ten Indonesian students recently spent the fall term living and studying at Western as part of a new Indonesian government initiative aimed at developing global leaders.
The Indonesian International Student Mobility Awards (IISMA) is a scholarship program developed by the Government of the Republic of Indonesia to fund high achieving Indonesian students to study at top universities overseas. Selected undergraduate students spend a semester experiencing the host country’s culture, taking courses and developing cross-cultural and intercultural skills.
While at Western, the students also embraced opportunities to showcase Indonesian culture, in addition to learning about Candian culture. In October, they organized an Indonesidan Culture Day event where fellow students in residence could try traditional food.. They also participated in Western’s International Week in November, performing a traditional dance at the Cultural Showcase event.
“It is wonderful to share our culture with others. We actually cooked our traditional food in our residence room to bring to the event and people loved it,” said Syifani Ihfadza Aliyah, one of the program participants who is currently in her fourth year of a physics degree at the University of Indonesia.
“I’ve seen other perspectives from my roommate, or my new friends, or my teacher, and really everyone here. I realized you really have to go abroad to open your perspective. You can see the world through other people's eyes, and the way they experience life differently from you. It’s been such an eye-opening experience,” she said.
Call for Proposals: Radboud-Western Collaboration Fund
Proposals for the 2023-24 Radboud University-Western University Collaboration Fund are now being accepted.
Radboud University (The Netherlands) and Western have identified each other as strategic partners to foster deep collaborations in research and education. The Collaboration Fund was established in 2020 to facilitate and support joint initiatives that will strengthen the two universities’ strategic priorities through innovative education as well as multi-disciplinary, leading-edge research to create academic and societal impact.
The Collaboration Fund encourages proposals for one-year joint projects (up to $25,000 CAD) in the areas of research and teaching, as well as opportunities for short-term mobility visits.
Applications are being accepted until April 3, 2023.
Interested in hearing from past program participants and organizers? Register to attend an upcoming information and Q&A session on February 23, 10:00 to 11:00 am EST.
Winter 2023 International Student Orientation
As part of the newly expanded International Student Orientation program, students beginning studies in the winter term were offered more opportunities to connect with staff and fellow students.
Between January 6 and January 13:
184 undergraduate, graduate and exchange students from 33 different countries checked into the International Welcome Centre to meet our volunteers, ask questions, and receive their welcome bag
143 undergraduate, graduate and exchange students students attended our full Welcome Day
12 different events took place for students at orientation
Support Western's 2023 World's Challenge Challenge
Do you know any students who think big and could come up with a great idea to make our world a better place? Encourage them to sign up for the World’s Challenge Challenge by February 3.
Western’s World’s Challenge Challenge initiative asks student participants to be leaders in developing solutions to make our world a better place, to be ethical and critical thinkers, and to strive for global impact.
To participate in the Challenge, students form interdisciplinary teams of two to four members, develop and pitch a solution with a global impact that addresses one or more of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Western Heads East Auction
The Western Heads East Annual Online Auction will take place February 6-10.
Be prepared for Valentine's Day with this Valentine's Day-themed auction and support Western University's Western Heads East program!
This year there are a range of items in the auction including:
- Gift certificate from Nash Jewellers
- Musical tickets from The Grand Theatre
- Moda Yoga gift certificates
- Gift boxes from YOU-made it Cafe, and Pelee Winery
- Gift cards from various shops, and stores
- And many more...
Don't miss this chance to support the longstanding work of Western and our African partners to build healthy and sustainable communities in Tanzania, Kenya and Rwanda.
Did you know?
Western is a member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU). The ACU is an international organization dedicated to building a better world through higher education with a strong focus on international collaboration. This membership provides access to the only accredited Commonwealth organization to represent higher education.
The ACU has over 500 member universities in 50 countries across the Commonwealth. The membership offers funding opportunities and access to support and advocacy on issues at the highest level. The ACU represents members at high level forums that include the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meetings, the Conference of Commonwealth Education Ministers, UN gatherings, and international sector events.
Get involved and join the ACU’s communities/networks here:
If you have ideas, suggestions or opportunities with an international focus to share, please let us know at wicomms@uwo.ca.
