Saint Mary’s hosts celebration of Halifax - Zhuhai partnership

Approximately 100 friends and guests gathered at the Patrick Power Library on Monday, December 3rd to celebrate the strong ties between the Halifax Regional Municipality and the city of Zhuhai, China.

Dr. Malcolm Butler, Deputy Mayor Tony Mancini and John Rogers, Interim President & CEO, Halifax Partnership each welcomed guests and the international delegates with the launch of a photo exhibit Charming Zhuhai, which is on display this month in the Library.

Halifax Mayor Mike Savage and Zhuhai Mayor Yao Yiesheng signed a partnership agreement during the Mayor’s most recent visit to China in June 2018. This agreement aligns with the province’s Nova Scotia – China Engagement Strategy and friendship agreement with Guangdong province, where Zhuhai is located. Zhuhai offers many complementary sectors to Halifax, including logistics, information technology, bio-pharmaceuticals, and tourism.

Saint Mary’s long-standing relationship with Beijing Normal University - Zhuhai was highlighted, as was its standing as one of Canada’s most internationals schools.

Saint Mary’s alumni appointed to Supreme Court positions in Nova Scotia

Congratulations are in order for two Saint Mary’s alumni who were both appointed as Supreme Court judges in Nova Scotia.

Darlene Jamieson, Q.C., managing partner of Merrick Jamieson Sterns Washington & Mahody, is appointed a judge of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia in Halifax. She replaces Justice K. Coady, who elected to become a supernumerary judge effective November 5, 2018. Justice Jamieson graduated from Saint Mary's University with a B.A. (summa cum laude) in 1985.

Scott Norton, Q.C., a partner at Stewart McKelvey, is appointed a judge of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia in Pictou. He replaces Justice N.M. Scaravelli, who elected to become a supernumerary judge effective December 16, 2016. Justice Norton previously served as the Vice-Chair of Saint Mary's University.

Read the official release announcing the appointments.

Saint Mary's home to YMCA Peace Medal winner and champion for peace

Pictured L-R: Patrick Guerra, SMU’s student coordinator for Peaceful Schools International; Ruby Jangaard, Amelia Penney-Crocker and Marin DeWolfe, who created new books for Peaceful Schools International; Bridget Brownlow, SMU's Conflict Resolution Advisor, President Peaceful Schools International; Michaela Peters, a SMU Arts student who has travelled with the SMU Northern Ireland Peace Education Program.

YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth has awarded its 2018 Peace Medal to Bridget Brownlow, Conflict Resolution Advisor at Saint Mary’s and President of Peaceful Schools International. YMCAs across Canada present the Peace Medal to individuals or groups who, without any special resources, status, wealth or position, demonstrate a commitment to peace leadership within their local, national or global community.

Representatives from Saint Mary’s University recently participated in a conference on peace in Northern Ireland. The conference, “Twenty Years of Peace: Progress and Possibilities in Northern Ireland,” took place at Yale University on November 29 and 30.

The symposium brought together academics, community leaders, politicians and architects of the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, which in 1998 marked a formal end to the conflict in Northern Ireland.

“Our Northern Ireland Peace Education Program has existed for 14 of the past 20 years since the Good Friday Agreement,” notes Bridget Brownlow, SMU’s Conflict Resolution Advisor and President of Peaceful Schools International.  

She and Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray, President and Vice-Chancellor of Saint Mary’s, attended as invited discussants at the symposium on Yale’s campus in New Haven, Connecticut. Dr. Summerby-Murray’s academic research and teaching interests include cultural and historical geography in Northern Ireland; and he has been a strong champion for SMU’s collaboration with Peaceful Schools International, as well as experiential learning and global engagement.

Brownlow, who recently received the 2018 Peace Medal from the YMCA of Greater Halifax/Dartmouth in November, was also part of a public panel session. Her session at the Yale event , “The Future(s) of Northern Ireland,” was chaired by Dr. Richard N. Hasse, an American diplomat long involved in efforts toward Northern Ireland’s peace process.

Participants included Simon Coveney, Tánaiste (deputy head) of the government of Ireland; Karen Bradley, British MP and Secretary of State for Northern Ireland; General John de Chastelain, a member of the International Advisory Board for Peaceful Schools International; and others.

“My role was to speak to the unique and progressive nature of our peace education programming, whereby we are sharing the same peace education resources locally as we are with children in Northern Ireland,” says Brownlow.

“We have 14 years of very positive relationships with educators and more than 20 primary schools in Belfast, and those relationships are as strong as ever. It’s not unusual to hear people there say ‘the world has forgotten about us’. It’s always very reassuring that they know we at Saint Mary’s University and Peaceful Schools International have not forgotten about the people living in a post-conflict Northern Ireland.”

Saint Mary’s is also keen to continue a working relationship with researchers at Yale in relation to peace education. Brownlow and Dr. Bonnie Weir, a political science professor at Yale, are looking at ways for the two universities to collaborate.

Last month, with support from SMU and SMUSA, Peaceful Schools International launched three new storybooks written and illustrated by three Halifax junior high students. The resource books will be distributed to elementary schools in Nova Scotia and during the next SMU visit to Northern Ireland in February.

The books have generated a great deal of interest – more detail can be found in these recent media reports:

•  Halifax students produce books to help promote peaceful schools
  (CBC Nova Scotia)

• ·Kids books created by kids (CBC Facebook)

• N.S. girl pens picture books to help other kids with conflict resolution
  (CTV News Network)

Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray appointed board chair of the Canadian Bureau for International Education

Saint Mary’s University President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray has been appointed the new chair of the board of directors of the Canadian Bureau for International Education. Dr. Summerby-Murray was first appointed to the board in January 2018, has served on the Executive Committee and was chair of the Governance Committee.

“I am truly delighted to assume the role of CBIE board chair,” said President Summerby-Murray. “I look forward to working with CBIE’s executive team and leading their board, furthering efforts to put Canada’s global engagement challenge on the agendas of government and the private sector, and to advancing the role of young people in meeting that challenge.”

The Canadian Bureau for International Education is the national organization dedicated to the internationalization of education and the expansion of educational partnerships between Canada and countries around the globe. CBIE’s pan-Canadian membership comprises 150 colleges, institutes, cégeps, universities, school boards and language schools.

“Dr. Rob Summerby-Murray is known as a Canadian leader in international education,” said Dr. David Ross, Past Board Chair. “Under his tenure, Saint Mary’s University has distinguished itself as one of Canada’s most globally-connected universities. His experience spearheading strong partnerships with post-secondary institutions around the world and his personal commitment to global outreach will be valuable assets to CBIE.”

Born in Christchurch, New Zealand, Dr. Summerby-Murray received his PhD in Geography from the University of Toronto in 1992. An award-winning educator, Dr. Summerby-Murray is an experienced academic administrator and post-secondary advocate. He participates on public and private boards, including Junior Achievement of Nova Scotia, the Business-Education Council and the Advisory Council for the Order of Nova Scotia. In May 2018, he was named one of Atlantic Canada Business Magazine’s Top 50 CEOs.

“I am looking forward to working with Dr. Summerby-Murray over the next couple of years in his new role as board chair,” said Larissa Bezo, Interim President and CEO, CBIE. “He brings a great depth of experience that will offer new insights into the benefits and challenges of internationalization and position us well as we advocate for global education for more young Canadians.”

To learn more about the Canadian Bureau for International Education visit www.cbie.ca.

See also, Saint Mary's President named Chair Designate of Canadian Bureau for International Education.

Saint Mary’s University youth employment program named best in North America

The International Education Business Partnership Network has named Access-Ability the top program in North American in developing Youth Employability Skills.

Access-Ability is a youth employment program run by the Saint Mary’s University Entrepreneurship Centre, in partnership with Service Canada and Enactus Saint Mary’s and funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities. The program focuses on providing youth living with disabilities in the Atlantic region the opportunity to achieve gainful employment and/or start their own business.

The recognition came at the IPN Global Best Awards held in Houston, Texas, October 17-19. The program won in a category that recognizes excellence in promoting the development of employability skills among youth and providing youth with tools, experience, and avenues for showcasing their employability skills to potential employers.

“Access-Ability has been successful in helping our clients enhance their employability through tailored training and experiential learning opportunities. The youth develop valuable employment skills, leadership abilities, as well as an entrepreneurial mindset. The partner businesses gain employees with problem-solving skills, new insights, and creativity,” says Michael Sanderson, director of the SMUEC.

The Saint Mary’s University Entrepreneurship Centre is a leading provider of university-based business support services in Atlantic Canada. Over the past 25 years, the SMUEC has worked to enhance our community’s prosperity by helping business and student leaders reach their entrepreneurial potential.

Recognized regionally, nationally and globally for our programming, the SMUEC supports leaders through consulting, training, promoting entrepreneurship and cultivating community connections.

Saint Mary's hosts public panel on international institutions

Saint Mary's University's recently hosted an engaging public panel discussion, that serviced as a precursor to the Halifax International Security Forum three-day annual conference.

The panel, entitled Discord, Disruptions, Disorder: A World Without International Institutions, took place on November 15th in the McNally Theatre Auditorium. The event is the result of a partnership between the Halifax International Security Forum, Dalhousie University and Saint Mary's.

“The goal of the Forum is to start conversations between decision-makers and opinion-leaders from around the world that help shape foreign policy,” said Peter Van Praagh, President of the Halifax International Security Forum. “Our partnership with Dalhousie and Saint Mary’s ensures that tomorrow’s leaders have a voice in those discussions.”

Mercedes Stephenson, host of The West Block on Global News, moderated the discussion.

Panellists included:

• Kenan Rahmani, an advisor to Syrian civil society organizations, most notably The White Helmets;

• Ayman Mhanna, Executive Director of the Samir Kassir Foundation in Beruit;

• Antonio Ramalho da Roche, Professor of International Relations at the University of Brasilia; and

• Daouda Sembene, former Executive Director of the International Monetary Fund.

“As a city with a truly global outlook, Halifax is a fitting site for this esteemed gathering of thinkers and problem solvers,” said Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray, President and Vice-Chancellor of Saint Mary’s University. “We are extremely proud to host this year’s very timely public debate over the future of our global institutions.

The Halifax International Security Forum is an independent, non-profit, non-partisan organization based in Washington, DC.

Sobey School of Business MBA ranks #8 in the world for sustainability

The Sobey School of Business is eighth in the world for sustainability, according to the recently released Corporate Knights Better World MBA ranking.

The eight place finish marks the highest ranking yet for the Sobey School of Business at Saint Mary’s University. The school attributes its success to the way sustainable development and ethics are deeply embedded in its courses, the strong ethnic and gender diversity of its student and faculty, and the faculty’s extensive research on sustainability themes. Corporate Knights assessed 141 business schools across 25 countries for its rankings.

“Placed as we are here on the east coast of Canada, the impacts of climate change are strongly felt. At the same time, our province is a leader in immigration, and has a deep history in co-operative and alternate business models. We understand how important sustainability must be in business today,” noted Dean Harjeet Bhabra. “We are proud of our faculty’s strengths in international research and ethics, and the growing expertise in social enterprise development at Saint Mary’s, which have helped us achieve this recognition.”

The Sobey MBA program ranked second in Canada, with Schulich, at York University, placing first nationally. Warwick University in Exeter, UK, was ranked first in the world
Corporate Knights introduced two new metrics to this year’s ranking: the gender and racial diversity of graduate business department faculty. Such diversity can influence student perception of what leadership looks like, and means that business schools can model meaningful standards for more diverse corporate boards and management.

According to Corporate Knights, The University of Connecticut's School of Business and the Sobey School of Business at Saint Mary’s University in Halifax led the way on racial diversity with 51 percent of faculty identified as visible minorities.

Participating schools were graded on five indicators: the number of institutes and centres dedicated to sustainable development; the percentage of core courses that integrate sustainable development; faculty research publications and citations on sustainable development themes; and faculty gender and racial diversity.

In 2014, the Sobey school’s faculty unanimously voted to become signatories to the United Nations’ Principles for Responsible Management Education initiative (PRME). A central part of this commitment is a pledge to advance the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

For Saint Mary’s and the Sobey School, the ranking was helped by research and work conducted through the school’s centres: the Atlantic Research Group on Economics of Immigration, Aging and Diversity, the new International Centre for Co-operative Management, the Centre for Leadership Excellence, the David Sobey Centre for Innovation in Retailing and Services, and the Centre of Excellence in Accounting and Reporting for Co-operatives.

See Corporate Knights' full top 40 here.

Saint Mary's class visit to The Gambia uncovers little-known chapter of Canadian war history

The faculty and students in this year’s Geography International Field School.

What started out as a geography lesson is also turning into a fascinating Canadian war history exploration for a class of 11 students and two faculty members at Saint Mary’s University. 

Students in this year’s Geography International Field School (GEOG 4100) are departing Halifax today (Nov. 8) for a study trip to The Gambia, returning November 20. Soon after arriving in Banjul, the students will attend a Remembrance Day ceremony for Gambian war veterans in the Fajara War Cemetery. They are bringing Canadian poppies and several wreaths to commemorate at least 10 Canadians who are buried at the cemetery.

The buried servicemen were with the Royal Canadian Air Force and died during World War II. They served with the 200 RAF Squadron, which played a significant role in deterring German U-boats in the Western Atlantic Ocean.

At least one of them has a Nova Scotia connection: Warrant Officer Basil Ralph Yorke, who died March 11, 1942, was the son of Harry and Gertrude Yorke of Wharton, Cumberland County.

“This may be one of the first times that Canadians will be there on November 11 to place remembrances on these gravestones,” says Dr. Cathy Conrad, a professor in the SMU Department of Geography and Environmental Studies. “When we first started planning this trip, we didn’t even know Canadians were buried there. The more we look into it, it’s like pulling a thread from a sweater and we keep unravelling it to find out more. It’s a piece of our history that had possibly been lost or at least not very well known until now.”

The students continue their research into the fallen airmen; they plan to visit a small war museum in the area and speak to Gambian veterans for recollections of the Canadian presence during the war. After the Remembrance Day activities, the class will travel to rural areas to visit a number of community-based tourism sites for experiential learning on cultural and historical issues. 

Saint Mary’s University has a longstanding relationship with The Gambia, which made the news last week as the first stop on a royal tour of West Africa for Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall. The SMU Geography Field School has been travelling there for eight years.

Saint Mary’s University celebrates the new Viola Desmond Bursary

African-Nova Scotian students attending Saint Mary’s University will soon have more support available to them as a result of a newly established bursary.

The Viola Desmond Bursary was announced on November 8, the date of Viola’s heroic anti-discrimination action in 1946. The bursary is fully-endowed and will be given out every year to full-time African-Nova Scotian students at Saint Mary’s.

“At Saint Mary’s, community is at the heart of what we do. We are very proud to be part of commemorating Viola Desmond, and to have a financial award named in her honour,” said Dr. Malcolm Butler, Vice-President, Academic and Research. “This award will assist generations of African-Nova Scotian entrepreneurs attending Saint Mary’s on their path to success.”

The initial award amount will mark the year of Viola Desmond’s anti-segregation action, 1946, with students receiving $1,946. While this award is not renewable, it may be awarded to the same student more than once.

While preference for the bursary will be given to students in the Sobey School of Business, the bursary may also be awarded to students in programs featuring entrepreneurship. Preference will also be given to female students from Halifax County. Students must also have a financial need.

This award was established with the permission of the Desmond Family and through the generosity of The Honourable Wilfred P. Moore, Q.C., LL.D., and Ms. Jane Adams Ritcey.

“Viola Desmond has been very good to our city, our province and our country,” said Senator Wilfred Moore. “My family is very pleased to assist Saint Mary’s University in this most noble virtue—the transfer of knowledge. We do so in keeping with the bedrock tradition of Saint Mary’s, offering a hand up.”

Spark Zone recognized as World’s Best in Entrepreneurship Skills

The Spark Zone, a sandbox to foster social innovations and business ideas, has been recognized as the world’s best in enterprise and entrepreneurship skill-building.

The staff of the Spark Zone accepted the award in Houston, Texas from the International Education Business Partnership Network. The IPN Global Best Awards was held October 17 through 19 at the Houston Space Centre.

“This award recognizes Spark Zone’s success in supporting students to learn about entrepreneurship through not only academics but also by introducing them to our great mentors and networks,” noted Jason Turner, Spark Zone manager. “This global award is an endorsement of our ability to guide students in creating viable businesses. We are really proud of the programs and initiatives we’ve introduced in Nova Scotia’s post-secondary institutions.”

Spark Zone is a partnership between Saint Mary's University, Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, Nova Scotia Community College, Mount Saint Vincent University, the Atlantic School of Theology and University of King's College, with Saint Mary's serving as the host institution. The Spark Zone is funded by the Nova Scotia Department of Labour and Advanced Education.

“Nova Scotia’s unique mix of industry and academia, and the ease with which the two come together, is what makes our innovation story compelling,” said Hon. Labi Kousoulis, Minister, Labour and Advanced Education. “The Spark Zone is a great example of innovation in action, and I’m pleased to see it recognized internationally for its leadership.”

The Global Best Award submissions are evaluated on how well the programs deliver the following criteria:

• Enhanced employability

• Extent of experiential learning

• Knowledge transfer of employability skills

• Youth involvement in design and operation of the partnership

• Replicability of the partnership

• Recognition of excellence

The competition includes other entrepreneurship centres and service providers from across the world with winners from six regions attending the conference.

About the Spark Zone

Utilizing physical and virtual spaces, The Spark Zone brings together students and community members to create, develop and ultimately launch business ideas and social innovations. Partners at Saint Mary’s University, NSCAD University, Mount Saint Vincent University, Nova Scotia Community College, University of King’s College, and the Atlantic School of Theology provide opportunities for people to connect and then nurture those connections as ideas become reality.

Saint Mary’s collaboration with Innu Nation seen in documentary film screening

The rain could not keep a full house away from Halifax Central Library’s Paul O'Regan Hall on Nov. 3, 2018. Saint Mary’s faculty, Innu Nation, and members of the local community came to hear the story of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Innu Nation. The documentary screening of “Nakatuenita: Respect,” was co-produced by Richard Nuna, Innu Nation, and Dr. Trudy Sable, Community Conservation Research Network - Saint Mary's University and directed by filmmaker Kent Martin. 

The evening began with a traditional Mi’kmaw prayer by Mi’kmaw elder Thomas Christmas and Mi’Kmaw song to welcome participants onto traditional Mi’kmaq territory. Innu Nation’s Grand Chief, Gregory Rich, Dr. Trudy Sable, Saint Mary’s Community Engaged Research Facilitator and Saint Mary’s Vice-President, Dr. Malcolm Butler also welcomed the crowd.

Throughout the screening you could hear engaged asides between front-row members of the crowd.. The film – which ended in a standing ovation – tells the story of Ntesinan, a once peaceful territory where Innu families lived in tents, hunted for survival, and learned “Nutshimit” (country) skills and the fragile relationship between humans and animals from their elders. Their culture is one of respect – respect for the land, plants, animals and each other.

Although the memories of the past remain strong, the Innu now adapt to cultural and spiritual disruption. In the mid 20th century, they were forced to settle into communities by the governments and the church.  A significant part of their territory (later flooded by The Churchill Falls Hydro Project) changed the great falls known to the Innu as “Mista Shipu” forever.

“This film is a very powerful and moving testament to the impact that resettlement, development and climate change has had on Indigenous culture and communities,” said Dr. Butler.

Successful in taking control of their schools in 2009 and income support two years ago, the Innu look to the future of their land, social services, schools and government.

“Their resilience has amazed me in the face of so many forces that have tried to undermine who they are as a people, deeply and spiritually connected to their lands and to the animals. We have much to learn about how to truly work together in collaboration and mutual benefit,” said Dr. Sable.

In the meantime, the answer for Grand Chief Gregory Rich is clear.

“The film is a message of the struggle today for the Innu people. Our connection is to the lands, to the animals, and it has been our culture for many, many years. I know we can not go back to how it was before, but to be part of the land and the animals is the answer to our struggles, Ntesinan,” said Grand Chief Rich.