Conference explores best practices, new approaches to international education
‘Education City: Welcoming Communities and Lifelong Learning’ kicked off with a panel discussion featuring (from left) Sheila Sammon, Director of Community Engagement and moderator, Ron McKerlie, President of Mohawk College, Laurie Davidson, Regional Vice-President of RBC Royal Bank, Fred Eisenberger, Mayor of Hamilton, Patrick Deane, McMaster University President, and Milé Komlen, Chair of the Hamilton Centre for Civic Inclusion.
Nearly 200 international education professionals from universities and colleges across Ontario were on campus this week for a conference aimed at sharing best practices, knowledge and approaches to international education and global engagement.
The 2017 Ontario Association of International Education Conference/Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) Regional Meeting explored how post-secondary institutions, government, industry and the non-profit sector can collaborate to build and support global engagement on campus and in the community.
The conference, entitled, Education City: Welcoming Communities and Lifelong Learning, took place over three days and was jointly hosted by McMaster’s Office of International Affairs and Mohawk College*, with events held on both campuses.
The conference kicked off with a panel discussion on creating inclusive communities that foster lifelong learning, and professional and personal growth. Panel members included Patrick Deane, McMaster University President, Ron McKerlie, President of Mohawk College, Fred Eisenberger, Mayor of Hamilton, Milé Komlen, Chair of the Hamilton Centre for Civic Inclusion, and Laurie Davidson, Regional Vice-President of RBC Royal Bank.
Sessions were led by experts in international education and global engagement from a number of post-secondary institutions and from the City of Hamilton and focussed on a range of topics including; creating welcoming campus and civic communities, successful international student transitions through inter-institutional and campus programming and support, and building partnerships, collaborations and support for student mobility.
*The conference was part of an ongoing commitment on the part of McMaster along with the City of Hamilton, Mohawk College and Redeemer University College to recognize the importance of post-secondary education and to find ways to work in partnership for the benefit of the citizens of Hamilton and broader society.
