International Education Distinguished Leadership Award

Patricia Gartland - Assistant Superintendent - International Education and Continuing Education for School District No. 43 (Coquitlam)

For over 30 years, Patricia has provided leadership in public education with an emphasis on the areas of language instruction, multiculturalism/diversity, and technology. 13 years ago, she instituted one of the most successful International Education Programs in BC in terms of number of students, academic outcomes, university acceptance rates, cultural diversity and the internationalization of the school district and communities of Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, Port Moody and the unincorporated areas of Anmore and Belcarra. Patricia provides advice and leadership to a worldwide network of education bureaus, sister schools, and educational agencies. Patricia is also the Board Chair of the Confucius Institute in Coquitlam. She has received acknowledgement in national publications such as MacLean's Magazine, the Globe and Mail, the China Daily News, and the South China Morning Post. Evidenced by her success, her efforts have helped motivate much of the Canadian K-12 sector into the world of international education.

International Education Distinguished Service Award

Carolyn Russell - Director, Student Recruitment, University of Victoria

With 12 years of experience at the UNBC, Carolyn has become its well-known face to the international education community. Under her guidance and through her dedicated service, UNBC has seen exponential growth in its population of international student, its number of bilateral exchange agreements, and its number of international field schools offered bi-annually. Under Carolyn’s leadership, the Centre staffing has grown to a centralized service model where students could access recruitment, admissions, and advising in one area. Carolyn approaches challenges from a place of “yes we can! We just have to figure out how” and is not easily discouraged. She seeks to build lasting relationships with students, staff, faculty and educational partners abroad, and believes in being an active and engaged member of the organizations she takes part in. The scope of Carolyn’s knowledge and experience makes her an invaluable resource for those seeking information and insight on international education. Carolyn recently took on a new role at the University of Victoria.

Outstanding Program in International Education Award

SFU Dual Degree Program in Computing Science - Simon Fraser University

In 2005, Simon Fraser University (SFU) launched Canada's first international undergraduate dual degree program in Computing Science with Zhejiang University (ZJU), one of China's top three universities. The program proved to be so popular that a dual degree program at the graduate level was established in 2011.

The SFU-ZJU undergraduate Dual Degree Program (DDP) in Computing Science is a complex but well-run program uniquely designed for both Canadian and Chinese students to study together as a cohort for two years at ZJU and two years at SFU.  Students receive a degree in Computing Science from each of the universities and become competent in and knowledgeable about the languages, cultures, societies and academic institutions in both China and Canada. The DDP program design also includes faculty exchange and student mentorship to encourage cultural exchange with peers, thus providing students, as well as faculty, with an extensive, significant and meaningful intercultural learning experience.

Rising Star in International Education Award

Caroline Rueckert - Program Director, UBC Jump Start Program, University of British Columbia

As Program Director of the UBC Jump Start Program, Caroline provides the strategic vision and direction required to manage a large team of professional and student staff in providing initial and ongoing support for students. Caroline has dedicated most of her academic and professional career to enhancing the educational experience of international students. She has built an international education for herself and is dedicating her life to raising awareness of multicultural issues in education. Caroline is in the process of developing expertise in the education experience of international students and developing programming to support and enhance international students’ experience as they transition into a new institution and a new country. She is a visionary in building community. She has also been an international student herself, and is the recipient of degrees from three different institutions in three different countries. Caroline is currently pursuing a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) in Education from the Queensland University of Technology in Australia.

Innovation and Excellence in International Education Award

“Hope for Youth” Scholarship Program - Languages Canada

After the great east Japan earthquake and following the tsunami and nuclear disaster, Languages Canada (LC) members felt a strong desire to give something back to Japan since LC members’ students have been attending their institutions for decades.  This launched discussions on setting up what is now the “Hope for Youth” Scholarship Program with the consultation of the Canadian Embassy in Tokyo, who were able to reach the affected students directly.  The program was heartily endorsed by LC members who generously offered full scholarships for language education and accommodation. To date, LC members and other funding partners have contributed more than $1 million to this initiative. For example, this has included Guard.me’s support of free health insurance to “Hope for Youth” scholarship recipients.

By enabling young people from the quake-affected areas to study in BC and Canada, “Hope for Youth” aims to nurture globally minded citizens who will lead in rebuilding their communities and give hope and courage to Japan as it continues to play a leading role in the world.

International Education Lifetime Achievement Award

Bob Bagshaw

Bob Bagshaw shares highlights over his career:

“1977 was a memorable year spent in Switzerland on sabbatical from Capilano University (Capilano College at that time). During my year of ‘international education’ I learned that they had a remarkable system of graduate internships with their corporate and trade offices around the world.  The challenge became - could Canada do the same?

The development of the Asia Pacific Management Co-operative Program, at Capilano, became a Canadian model for overseas management development. From 1987, 30 to 35 graduate students were selected each year for study and a second year posting to a management position in Asia. At our 10^th Anniversary the program was named, in honour of Robert McRae, ‘the McRae Institute for International Management’. In 1998 a program with a Latin American focus was added. Placements were made in 15 Asian and nine Latin American countries.

Today there are over 600 McRae alumni around the world who are working as professionals in corporate and NGO endeavours. At least 300 participate in an active social and business network.

The key was, and is, to value the strength of each participant and to encourage a vision for career growth. Their stories are the long chapter. That is our legacy for Canada!”