Jan. 19, 2018
International champions celebrated on campus for building a collaborative, inclusive community
On Jan. 17, individuals from across campus and the Calgary community came together to celebrate the winners of the University of Calgary Internationalization Achievement Awards in an event that featured an internationally flavoured dinner, cultural performances, and awards ceremony.
The event brought back a 10-plus year tradition to celebrate students, faculty, staff and community members who are progressing our institutional commitment to excellence and leadership in internationalization.
“When University of Calgary launched its journey towards internationalization based on our International Strategy, we wanted to create a welcoming, inclusive and diverse campus where students, faculty and staff could come together to promote new discoveries, ideas and applications that will have a global impact,” said Janaka Ruwanpura, vice-provost (international). “By holding an event like this, we are able to recognize some of the most passionate internationalization champions from our campus and the Calgary community, and I couldn’t be more pleased to celebrate the winners tonight. These individuals and programs have helped us to become an award-winning leader in internationalization.”
Check out what the nominators had to say about the winners.
Celebrating our international champions
University of Calgary International
In addition to the awards ceremony, the event also featured a reception and live entertainment including lion dancers, the University of Calgary World Ensemble, a Mexican guitarist, and Bollywood dancers.
“Internationalization has been a priority for our university for many years, and the Internationalization Achievement Awards are part of a long tradition of global partnerships,” said President Elizabeth Cannon. “Our awardees have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to fostering internationalization at our university and building a community of collaboration and inclusion.”
The winners who were recognized at the event are:
- Academic Staff Member Award (Experienced): Jennifer Hatfield, Cumming School of Medicine
- Academic Staff Member Award (New): Leighton Wilks, Haskayne School of Business
- Staff Member Award: Heather Clitheroe, Faculty of Science
- Staff Member Award: Matthew Knox, Student and Enrolment Services
- Student Award: Laura Fader, Schulich School of Engineering
- Student Award: Eliana El Khoury, Werklund School of Education
- International Program Award: Teaching Across Borders, Werklund School of Education
- Community Member Award: Cecilia Villanueva Bracho, former Mexican Consul in Calgary
- Career Achievement Award: Lorne Jaques, Faculty of Social Work
The University of Calgary Internationalization Achievement Awards will be reintroduced as an annual event. The call for applications for the next award ceremony will happen in fall 2018.