Universities UK International and Mitacs Canada have signed a new partnership which will offer UK undergraduate students the possibility to access research internships in Canada, with the Department for Education committing to fund internship for students from underrepresented groups.
The UK joins Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Mexico, Tunisia and Ukraine in the Mitacs’ Globalink internship scheme, which currently offers programs at over 45 universities across Canada.
“The value of partnerships and competitive outward mobility has rarely been more strongly felt”
For undergraduate students at participating UK universities, this will mean the chance to carry out a 12-week fully-supervised research project at a Canadian university in the summer before they graduate, with added benefits such as professional development workshops and the chance to attend industry events.
The new opportunity will contribute to UUKi’s push to double the undergraduates gaining international experience during their studies by 2020, and will strengthen bilateral relationships between the two countries, UUKi said.
“This is fantastic opportunity for UK students wishing to advance their academic and professional skills at a vital time in their student experience, as well as for UK universities to enhance or build brand new links with Canadian institutions,” UUKi director Vivienne Stern said in a statement.
“The value of international partnerships and competitive outward mobility opportunities has rarely been more strongly felt than it is now.”
The scheme will be co-funded – two-thirds by Mitacs and the remaining third either by sending UK institutions or the Department for Education.
The DfE has committed to co-funding specifically for high achieving students from underrepresented groups.
“International experiences enrich the education and personal development of UK students and break down barriers to social mobility,” Minister of State for Universities, Science Research and Innovation Chris Skidmore said in a statement.
“By enabling access to these international opportunities, we can develop our own ‘global citizens’ and ensure students of all backgrounds can succeed in an increasingly global marketplace.”
UUKi is currently calling for expressions of interest from institutions to co-fund another 10 places for students from any background for internship starting in summer 2020. Interested universities can contact Victoria Bennet at UUKi.
