Capilano University’s new Global Skills Opportunity projects will help over 600 students gain career-boosting international experience
News release: Global Skills Opportunity program (PDF)
North Vancouver B.C. November 30, 2021 – Capilano University students will have increased access to international study and work abroad experiences through the new federally funded Global Skills Opportunity (GSO) program. While the program is open to all Canadian post-secondary students, it specifically focuses on increasing access to students groups for whom such experiences have traditionally been less accessible: Indigenous students, students from low-income backgrounds and those with disabilities.
The University has received **$525,300 (updated) for Global Skills Opportunity projects that will support both Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) experiences and study abroad field school experiences in Vietnam, India, Indonesia, the Philippines and other non-traditional destinations.
“Working with strategic education partners with shared values of equity, diversity and inclusion in other countries, we are excited to offer CapU students diverse experiences and research projects,” says Chris Bottrill, director, International at Capilano University. “Through the GSO program, we will introduce imaginative intercultural learning experiences that improve equity and increase access for underserved students and broaden perspectives in the process.”
Beginning in spring 2022, it is expected 455 CapU students will have the opportunity to participate from home in COIL projects and 176 students will have the chance to participate in eight field schools abroad. The field schools will be built around themes guiding the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); reimagined through a lens of accessibility and equity, diversity and inclusion; and developed in conjunction with services to support the students be successful, learn and return home with enhanced life- and career-building skills.
“Capilano University’s Global Skills Opportunity proposal was one of 65 selected among 91 eligible submissions from universities, colleges and institutes across Canada,” said Bottrill. “This four-year strategic initiative will deepen participants’ knowledge of global issues, challenge their assumptions, and enhance their abilities to cope with change.”
As a national outbound student mobility program, Global Skills Opportunity is expected to enable more than 16,000 Canadian college and undergraduate-level university students to acquire the global skills employers want and the Canadian economy needs.
The $95 million Global Skills Opportunity program, funded by Employment and Social Development Canada, is a key component of the Government of Canada’s International Education Strategy. Administered jointly by Colleges and Institutes Canada and Universities Canada, the program is intended to be flexible to allow participating colleges, universities and institutes to customize projects to their students’ needs.
About Capilano University
Capilano University is a teaching-focused university based in North Vancouver, with programming serving the Sunshine Coast and the Sea-to-Sky corridor. The University offers 94 programs, including bachelor's degrees, in areas as diverse as film, early childhood education and tourism management. Capilano University is named after Sa7plek (Chief Joe Capilano), an important leader of the Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) Nation of the Coast Salish Peoples. We respectfully acknowledge that our campuses are located on the territories of the LíỈwat, xʷməθkʷəỷəm (Musqueam), shíshálh (Sechelt), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and SəỈílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.
For more information, or to schedule interviews, please contact:
Linda Munro
Senior Communications Officer
Capilano University
t: 604 220 8937
e: lindamunro@capilanou.ca
www.capilanou.ca
**NOTE: At the time of publication in November 2021, the University reported here it received $435,000 for Global Skills Opportunity projects. Subsequently, additional funding was received and the total Global Skills Opportunity funding received by Capilano University is $525,300.
Submitted by: Communications