While our Keele and Glendon Campuses usually are much quieter during the summer term, the University community continues to be busy with a number of events and activities, including welcoming incoming students through our YU START program.
I recently had the opportunity to travel to Loughborough University in London, UK to deliver an address to the International Symposium on Science Diplomacy and International Policy.
Preparing to begin my talk on science diplomacy at Loughborough University.
My talk, entitled Science Diplomacy and the Role of Academic Institutions, explored how scientific endeavors facilitated by academic institutions working together around the globe can build trust between nations to help solve some of the world’s most pressing challenges, including global health management, food security and climate change. While my primary role is to serve as President of York University, I am still a researcher and engineer at heart. The time I spent engaging with colleagues at Loughborough was an enjoyable and enriching opportunity to examine issues of great interest to me, including the important role that university researchers can play in building capacity in the developing world, facilitating international dialogue and collaboration, and creating shared frameworks for tackling global challenges. The trip also provided a timely opportunity to explore areas of possible collaboration between York and institutions in London, including Loughborough University, whose Vice-Chancellor and President Robert J. Allison I greatly enjoyed meeting.
After my time in London, I traveled to Israel and the West Bank where Vice-President Research and Innovation Rob Haché and I joined Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne on her business mission to the Middle East. Despite its political turmoil, the Middle East is a lively area, with Israel increasingly becoming a leader in advancing innovation and economic activities through research. The region is filled with promising young people with a special thirst for education. It was wonderful to return again last month, and remains one of my favourite places to visit.
Taking a selfie with the Premier, Minister Moridi & York students at Tel Aviv University.
While in the Middle East, I visited a number of universities and organizations to sign and acknowledge new academic partnerships, primarily in the fields of engineering and science. These agreements will benefit all involved, and will help our students and faculty to engage in leading-edge research in this part of the world. I particularly enjoyed meeting with students from our Lassonde School of Engineering who are studying abroad at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology as part of Lassonde’s third annual International Experience Trip, and was able to introduce a number of them to Premier Wynne and Reza Moridi, Ontario’s Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities.
York University students at Technion-Israel Institute of Technology (top); signing our agreement with Tel Aviv University (bottom left); signing an agreement with the Daughters for Life Foundation creator and York honorary degree recipient Dr. Abuelaish (bottom centre); taking a photo with the Premier at the Daughters for Life agreement signing (bottom right).
York University now has agreements with Tel Aviv University, the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Bethlehem University, and the Daughters for Life Foundation. It was particularly special for me to sign an agreement with Daughters for Life, a foundation established by Dr. Izzeldin Abuelaish, who received an honorary degree from York University in October, as this partnership will help to advance access to education for young women in the Middle East.
In retrospect, it is fitting that I completed this trip after the lecture I delivered at Loughborough University, as the mission to the Middle East is an excellent example of science diplomacy in action.
