Celebrating global connections

Dr. Charles Beaupre, Canadian Co-Director; Maria Pan, Chinese Co-Director; Susan Summerby-Murray, Saint Mary's President Rob Summerby-Murray; Dr. Eric Henry, incoming Canadian Co-Director; Dr. Guo, Zhaoyang incoming Chinese Co-Director

Today was a celebration of global connections between Saint Mary's University and our partner institutions in China, notably Xiamen University. 

Maria Pan receives a gift of appreciation from President Rob Summerby-Murray

The University hosted a fond farewell for outgoing Co-Director of the Confucius Institute at Saint Mary's University, Maria Pan.  It was also a time to welcome her successor, Dr. Guo, Zhaoyang,  who has arrived on campus.  At the luncheon today, hosted by President Rob Summerby-Murray and his wife Susan, members of the Confucius Institute gathered with colleagues from Saint Mary's University, the Chinese Society of Nova Scotia and local business leaders.

"The success of the Confucius Institute at Saint Mary's is a testament to the long-standing connection between Saint Mary's and Xiamen University in China," said Rob Summerby-Murray. "The support from Xiamen and from Hanban has been greatly appreciated. Under the direction of Maria Pan, the Chinese Co-Director, the cultural exchange and community engagement has grown by leaps and bounds. "

President Summerby-Murray went on to note that Maria Pan has been a Co-Director for six and a half years, a demonstration of her strong leadership and the considerable accomplishments under her tenure.

Today also marked another transition as outgoing Canadian Co-Director Dr. Charles Beaupre and the university community welcomed Dr. Eric Henry into the role of Canadian Co-Director.

Conflict resolution team heads to Northern Ireland

Saint Mary's President Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray (front-left), SMUSA President Ossama Nasrallah (second-centre),with the Saint Mary's University Conflict Resolution Society, and their Senior Program Coordinators

A record-setting team of 28 Saint Mary’s University students representing a cross-section of undergraduate and graduate students within the faculties of Arts, Science and Commerce are departing today for Northern Ireland to facilitate peace education workshops.

These students will begin working with elementary school children throughout Belfast, Northern Ireland, once they arrive.

This long-standing and unique experiential program is a remarkable collaborative effort, coordinated through Saint Mary’s University, Peaceful Schools International and the student-led Conflict Resolution Society.

Learn more about Saint Mary's role in conflict resolution in Northern Ireland: A conversation with Bridget Brownlow, President of Peaceful Schools International.

Saint Mary’s Faculty of Arts welcomes first cohort of students from Chinese university

Saint Mary’s Faculty of Arts Welcomes First Cohort of Students from Chinese university

Saint Mary’s Faculty of Arts is the first Arts faculty in Canada to welcome a cohort of students from China to its campus. For the next two years, Saint Mary’s University will be a home-away-from-home for 37 students from Beijing Normal University - Zhuhai (BNUZ), who will complete the final two years of their undergraduate degree at Saint Mary’s.

See also:
Between Two Worlds

The unique exchange between Saint Mary’s and Beijing Normal University – Zhuhai is creating extraordinary opportunities for students, and professors like Dr. Cecilia Qiu

“Saint Mary’s is the first university in Canada, and maybe first in the world, to have implemented a 2+2 Program in Arts,” said Dr. Margaret MacDonald, Dean of Arts at Saint Mary’s.

The program is a result of a unique and longstanding partnership with BNUZ. The first partnerships date back to 2002, and since then, hundreds of students from BNUZ have attended Saint Mary’s. Saint Mary’s is now expanding its 2+2 agreements to all three campus faculties—Business, Science, and Arts faculties, enabling BNUZ students to complete the first two years of university study on campus at BNUZ, and transfer to Saint Mary’s to complete the final two years of their degrees in Halifax.

“The links between China and Canada are growing with each passing year, and the next generation of leaders from both our countries will benefit from the international exchanges we establish today,” said Dr. Eric Henry, an Assistant Professor in Saint Mary’s Department of Anthropology. “Having the BNUZ cohort integrated with our regular classes is definitely fostering those connections.”

Jonathan Shaw, an Educational Developer for Intercultural Learning at Saint Mary’s Studio for Teaching and Learning, is a part-time instructor with the Faculty of Education teaching a course entitled “English as an International Language”. Last semester, he had 11 Chinese students as part of the BNUZ 2+2 Arts cohort, majoring in disciplines such as International Development Studies, History, and Asian Studies.

“Although they are really excited and interested to learn about Canada, they really see their time at Saint Mary’s as part of a global experience,” said Shaw. “These students chose to come here to be part of a very outward-looking, international campus.”

Yajie Cao, a third-year Asian Studies and History major, says that her cohort feels that the variety of support they have received – from the university, individual faculty and staff, as well as Canadian and other international students – has greatly eased their transition to life on campus. “We got to know everyone really quickly. The university really made us feel welcome, and the other students from Canada and abroad are so friendly and helpful. But when we do need some extra help, I know we can always rely on our mentors and tutors!”

Beijing Normal University - Zhuhai is located in Guangdong province near Hong Kong and Macau. BNUZ has 35,000 to 40,000 students studying a number of courses including economics, management, law, and engineering. Its location in Zhuhai places it in a steadily growing business and financial region.

Stories from overseas

Meghan Dratschmidt, a SMUworks program assistant with Global Learning and Intercultural Support, was the emcee for today’s Stories from Overseas and also presented on her experiences studying in Brazil

The Studio for Teaching and Learning hosted the seventh annual Stories from Overseas on Friday afternoon, bringing to a close a very busy and engaging International Education Week at Saint Mary’s University.

This year’s Stories from Overseas included presentations from 21 Canadian and international students, who shared their experiences participating in study abroad programs coordinated by the office of Global Learning and Intercultural Support. Stories ranged from Nik Shymko’s internship in Uganda and Jiaming Wu’s culinary adventures in Halifax, to Claudia Méndez’s Dominican Republic exchange and Svetlana Negoda and Joanna Feniyanos’s laughter-filled summer in a tiny Irish village. Through these stories, the students engaged the audience with reflections on unique intercultural experiences that have profoundly enriched their learning at Saint Mary’s University.   

International Education Week is an annual celebration held in more than 100 nations around the world each November to highlight the important role that international education plays in fostering global citizenship.

For more information on international opportunities at Saint Mary’s University, contact the Global Learning and Intercultural Support office at gocentre@smu.ca.

Sino-Canadian Trade Summit at Saint Mary's

Trade experts, government officials, business executives and researchers came together on Thursday, November 16th, to discuss trade between China and Nova Scotia at Saint Mary’s University. The summit provided a platform for the exploration of trade and business relationships between Nova Scotia and China, as well as enhancing educational and cultural understanding.

Dr. Ye Jianming, Dean of the School of Management, Xiamen University, China

Minister Counsellor Xia Xang, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China to Canada

Centre: Honourable Tony, Nova Scotia MLA for Cole Harbour-Portland Valley

Robert Summerby-Murray, President and Vice-Chancellor, Saint Mary's University

Karen Oldfield, President and CEO, Halifax Port Authority & Chair, Board of  Governors, Saint Mary’s University, with Minister and Counsellor Xia Xang, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China to Canada

Minister and Counsellor Xia Xang, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China to Canada, with Dean Pat Bradshaw, Sobey School of Business

Ian Smith, CEO at Clearwater Seafoods

Bruce Chapman, General Manager, Northern Pulp Nova Scotia with Karen Oldfield, President and CEO, Halifax Port Authority & Chair, Board of  Governors, Saint Mary’s University

Maria Pan, Director, Confucius Institute at Saint Mary’s University

Kelliann Dean, Deputy Minister, Intergovernmental Affairs, Nova Scotia Government with Christine Yang, International Relations Officer, Intergovernmental Affairs, Nova Scotia Government

William Allaway, CEO and Owner, Acadian Maple Products

Dr. Stephen Jones, CEO, 4Deep

Joyce Carter, President & CEO, Halifax International Airport Authority

Speakers and presenters included:

• Dr. Prof. Ye Jianmin, Dean of the School of Management, Xiamen University will attend as the designated representative of the President of Xiamen University
• Karen Oldfield, President & CEO, Halifax Port Authority
• Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray, President and Vice-Chancellor of Saint Mary’s University
• Joyce Carter, President & CEO, Halifax International Airport Authority
• William Allaway, CEO and Owner, Acadian Maple Products
• Ian Smith, CEO, Clearwater Seafoods Limited Partnership
• Dr. Stephen Jones, CEO, 4Deep

 The goals of the summit were to:

• Celebrate existing trade relations between Nova Scotia and China
• Explore ways to grow bilateral trade
• Build mutual understanding and cultural appreciation across cultures

Speakers included experts in international trade, Canadian and Chinese government representatives, and local business leaders with trade experience.

The Nova Scotia Sino-Canadian Trade Summit was a partnership between Saint Mary’s University, the Confucius Institute at Saint Mary’s University, and the Sobey School of Business.

John McCallum, Canada’s Ambassador to China, drops by Saint Mary's

John McCallum, Canada’s Ambassador to China, dropped by Saint Mary's Monday morning to deliver his message that young people, especially students, would benefit from spending time in China.

Irish Ambassador Jim Kelly visits Saint Mary's

Left to right - Dr. Pádraig Ó Siadhail, D’Arcy Magee Chairholder, Irish Studies; Bridget Brownlow, Conflict Resolution Advisor (Part-time Instructor Irish Studies / Political Science); Dr. Malcolm Butler Vice-President Academic and Research; Mr. Jim Kelly, Irish Ambassador to Canada; President and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray.

Irish Ambassador Jim Kelly was on his first visit to Halifax this week and has met with many members of the local Irish community. Today he met with representatives of Saint Mary’s University. Among the topics for discussion was all the great work  being carried out in relation to Irish Studies at Saint Mary’s, including the long-standing peace education program in Northern Ireland.

Saint Mary's Faculty of Science signs new 2+2 agreements with BNUZ

Saint Mary’s has had a partnership with Beijing Normal University (BNUZ) since 2002, encompassing a number of study abroad programs, transfer credit agreements, and a Saint Mary’s satellite campus at BNUZ.

There are 2+2 agreements in Business Science, and Arts that enable BNUZ students to complete the first two years of university study on campus at BNUZ, and to transfer to Saint Mary’s to complete the final two years of their degrees in Halifax.

Seated: Xiangdong Geng, Chair of University Council, BNUZ; Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray, President, SMU
Standing: Professors Hongyu Xiao and Hongshun Chen, Faculty Members, School of Information Technology, BNUZ; Dr. Malcolm Butler, VP Academic and Research, SMU; Dr. Steven Smith, Dean, Faculty of Science, SMU

On July 10, 2017, the Faculty of Science at Saint Mary’s University signed a new 2 + 2 articulation agreement with Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai.

BNUZ students can now complete the last two years of a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) with a Major in Computing Science at Saint Mary’s after successfully completing two years of required courses at BNUZ. Students graduate with a degree from Saint Mary’s University. A similar agreement for Psychology was signed on June 12 at BNUZ.

The most recent signing ceremony coincided with the BNUZ@SMU Summer Institute, an annual professional development program attended by faculty and administrators from BNUZ.

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Related

Welcome to our BNUZ guests

SMU Alumnus becomes Canadian citizen on Canada 150

Stephen Robinson-Enebeli (centre right) stands with (from left to right) Dr. Mary Ann White, a recipient of the Order of Canada who presided over the citizenship ceremony; the Honourable Lena Diab, Minister of Immigration and Minister of Acadian Affairs and Francophonie; and a member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Saint Mary’s engineering alumnus Stephen Robinson-Enebeli will always remember where he was on Canada’s 150th birthday: surrounded by friends and family, in the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, becoming a Canadian citizen.

“Saint Mary’s was a very welcome start to my life in Canada.”

— Stephen Robinson-Enebeli

“The room was overflowing,” he recalls. “I was so moved by the number of people who came in solidarity to welcome new Canadians, and to welcome me.”

Stephen immigrated to Halifax from Nigeria in June 2012, and he started Saint Mary’s Diploma of Engineering program that fall. He credits the university’s academic and non-academic support services, coupled with professors eager to help students succeed, with helping him integrate quickly and achieve his goals.

“Saint Mary’s was a very welcome start to my life in Canada,” says Stephen. “Everyone was so warm and friendly. With their support, I quickly became familiar with the culture of a new country and was able to thrive in university.”

After completing a Bachelor of Science and Diploma of Engineering at Saint Mary’s in 2015, Stephen pursued a Bachelor of Engineering degree at Dalhousie University, with a focus on mechanical engineering. This summer, he’s completing an internship at Welaptega Marine Limited, a Halifax-based subsea mooring inspection company, where he is modelling offshore underwater assets. He plans to graduate this Fall and is thinking about graduate school.

For Stephen, becoming a citizen on Canada’s sesquicentennial was an honour he won’t soon forget.

“Every dignitary who spoke at the ceremony reflected the sentiment in the room,” he recalls. “That of loving appreciation for Canada and the diversity of its citizens.”

Stephen Robinson-Enebeli (centre right) stands with family members and citizenship ceremony officiants.

PhD candidate wins prestigious Vanier Scholarship

Amy Heim

Saint Mary’s University is proud to announce that Amy Heim, a PhD candidate in the Faculty of Science, is the recipient of a three-year Vanier scholarship worth $50,000 per year.

Heim’s work is in the area of Evolution and Ecology, and she was honoured for her research proposal titled “Using traits to enhance plant co-existence and maximize ecosystem services in the green roof environment.”

“I am very excited that Amy won this scholarship. It’s a great endorsement of her innovative research,” said supervisor Jeremy Lundholm.

A plant community ecologist who specializes in understanding the co-existence mechanisms between plant species in harsh environments, she is currently working in two distinct environments: the coastal barrens of Nova Scotia and on extensive green roofs.

Heim explains that both habitats are exposed to drought, high wind, and extreme temperatures, making them useful habitats to compare co-existence patterns in a natural and artificial environment.

“For my green roof research I am looking at how specific combinations of species with specific plant traits can improve the ecosystem services provided by green roofs,” says Heim.

Her work also focuses on better understanding how urbanism impacts humans and the environment as more people move to cities. “Our research will develop a practical approach for selecting high-performance plant combinations that will make green roofs more efficient, reducing several issues related to urbanism,” she explained.

When asked what this scholarship means to her, Heim said that it will let her fully concentrate on her research, and also make it easier for her to create collaborations with researchers across the globe. She has plans to complete an internship with a green roof researcher in Japan during the fall of 2018.

“As an international student, Amy is not eligible for regular NSERC scholarships, so we are grateful for this level of support for her PhD studies. This frees up grant funding and as a consequence I can now fund Amy’s travel to a conference in Italy in the fall,” said Lundholm.

“Research is a collaborative effort so I believe these opportunities will enhance my own studies,” says Heim.

About Vanier Scholarships

Vanier Scholarships are awarded to students in the areas of health research, natural sciences and/or engineering, and social sciences and/or humanities research.

The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships program aims to attract and retain world-class doctoral students by supporting students who demonstrate both leadership skills and a high standard of scholarly achievement in graduate studies in the social sciences and humanities, natural sciences and engineering, and health sciences.

Three equally weighted evaluation criteria are considered: academic excellence, research potential, and leadership.

Canadian and international students are eligible to be nominated for a Vanier CGS. Vanier CGSs are valued at $50,000 per year, for up to three years. For more info, visit the Government of Canada site.