The Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) has announced the winners of its 2014 Excellence Awards, which recognise exceptional leadership and innovation in Canada’s international education sector.
The President’s Award for Distinguished Leadership in International Education went to CBIE board member Sylvain Benoît at the Université du Québec à Trois Rivières (UQTR).
During his 26 years of service in the industry, Benoît has worked “tirelessly” to internationalise UQTR, Robert Mantha, its vice-president of research and development, commented.
“The recipients are inspiring role models for their peers and new professionals in international education”
“His outstanding contribution to international education has helped to consolidate the reputation of our institution at the national and international levels,” he added.
Pauline L’Écuyer, Director of International Student Services at McGill University and Chair of CBIE’s Immigration Advisory Committee and Marie-Louise Pépin, an arts professor at Collège de Bois-de-Bologne, jointly scooped the CBIE Chair’s Award for Meritorious Service, recognising “outstanding service” to international education.
L’Écuyer was praised for initiatives she developed including pre-orientation webinars and an international student leadership programme at McGill, while Pépin was congratulated for her role in setting up a collaboration project with an institution in Cuba.
Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Sault College of Applied Arts & Technology and Capilano University all received Panorama Awards for Outstanding International Education Programmes.
Barb Engel, a Nursing professor who leads the winning Nursing Students in Nicaragua programme at Sault College, which in its inaugural year sent 16 students to earn an elective credit in Nicaragua, said the team was “proud to be recognised with this honour”.
“We pride ourselves in delivering a uniquely innovative student experience which sets us apart as we strive to enhance nursing education in Northern Ontario, and it is evident that this programme has achieved that goal,” she added.
The awards will be presented at CBIE’s annual conference in Ottawa in November.
Karen McBride, CEO and President of CBIE, congratulated all 10 award winners, saying: “The recipients are inspiring role models for their peers and new professionals in international education.”
“They encourage us take on new challenges in our work, step outside our comfort zones, and, as a result, enhance the impact of what we do in our sector and at our institutions,” she added.
The full list of winners:
President’s Award for Distinguished Leadership in International Education
Sylvain Benoît, Université du Québec à Trois Rivières
Chair’s Award for Meritorious Service
Pauline L’Écuyer, McGill University
Marie-Louise Pépin, Collège de Bois-de-Bologne
Panorama Award for Outstanding International Education Programme
Extracurricular Category: Kwantlen Polytechnic University, The Philosopher’s Teahouse
Academic Category: Sault College of Applied Arts & Technology, Nursing Students in Nicaragua
Capacity Building Category: Capilano University, Canadian Academics Studying in Europe (CASE)
Board of Directors Award for Comprehensive Internationalisation
Ottawa-Carleton District School Board & OCENET
North Star Award for an Emerging Leader in International Education
Elise Goodreault, Fraser International College (FIC)
Elizabeth Paterson Award for International Student Leadership in International Education
Leila Abubakar, College of New Caledonia (CNC)
Astitwa Thapa, University of Manitoba
