Education abroad has historically been seen as an exclusive and privileged activity. With recent global events, 2020 and 2021 have exposed inequities across the board, with disparities in education abroad being particularly evident. Education abroad needs to acknowledge the gaps and deficiencies in this activity, to make this worthwhile pursuit accessible, inclusive and valuable. How do we take a (necessary) critical look at education abroad, with a view to building back better?
This event will showcase the innovation fund projects from the Global Skills Opportunity program, which is funded by Employment and Social Development Canada, and jointly administered by Universities Canada and Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan). This program aims to make education abroad more fulsome, relevant and accessible.
This event is free and open to CBIE members and non-members, and we look forward to welcoming all institutional members, including education abroad and global learning professionals. Learn about best practices in building back better in education abroad while networking and connecting with professionals in the field.
Program
Opening Address by Sharon Stein
12:00 pm – 12:45 pm ET
Dr. Sharon Stein, faculty member at the University of British Columbia and founder and convenor of the Critical Internationalization Studies Network, will launch the conversation and invite participants to engage with some of the challenges, complexities, and possibilities of reimagining education abroad as we rebuild international education. Dr. Stein’s research brings critical and decolonial perspectives to the role of education in society, emphasizing how higher education engages with decolonization, internationalization, and climate change.
Concurrent Sessions
1:00 pm – 2:15 pm ET
During these breakout sessions, participants will have the opportunity to learn from colleagues as they showcase their innovation fund projects from the Global Skills Opportunity program. Session themes include:
Session 1: Increasing access and wraparound supports for underrepresented groups
Session 2: Enhancing intercultural competencies and global citizenship
Session 3: Taking the physical into the virtual space
Session 4: Outbound Mobility in the Francophone space
Networking
2:20 pm – 2:50 pm ET
After a short health break, participants will reconvene and have an opportunity to connect with presenters and with each other to continue the conversation and create deeper connections.
Wrap-Up
2:50 pm – 3:00 pm ET
Participants will wrap-up the event together to debrief and discuss next steps for learning and sharing as the international education community works to ‘build back better’ education abroad.
Dr. Sharon Stein
