The University of Calgary Academic Plan, 2012-2016 has identified Internationalization as one of seven institutional priorities.
The International Strategy (2013) has stated four general goals for the University of Calgary:
- Increase the diversity of the campus community: including increasing the percentage of undergraduate international students to 10 per cent of the student body and to 25 per cent of the graduate student body.
- Improve global and cross-cultural competencies within the campus community: including having 50 per cent of domestic undergraduate students offered opportunities for study abroad; and increasing cross-cultural competencies through on-campus experiences.
- Enhance opportunities for international collaborations and partnerships in a research and education.
- Leverage our unique areas of expertise to engage in international development.
“We will create a campus that also attracts scholars from around the world to this hub – one that promotes diversity of thought, culture, and respect for alternatives. We will leverage our expertise to share capacity with targeted institutions in the developing world.” Academic Plan 2012-2016.
We are committed to raising the profile of the University of Calgary worldwide, making the university an attractive destination for international students, academics and researchers. As well, we provide options for students to study around the world as part of their University of Calgary degree. Problems are international in their dimensions and require global solutions as countries are linked culturally, economically and ecologically. University graduates require skills which enable them to find solutions in a world characterized by a diversity of languages, religions, living standards, technological standards, historical perspectives and cultural values.
“Our University will be a “global intellectual hub” where our students, staff, and faculty at the centre of this hub will radiate new discoveries, ideas, and applications that have global impact. “Academic Plan 2012-2016.
The University of Calgary has over 2600 international students registered on campus (Fall 2010) from 100 countries. In addition, our alumni, including Canadians, are living in all areas of the world, proving the importance of an international education. The University of Calgary offers major entrance scholarships and awards for first year undergraduate international students as well as a number of awards for continuing students as a part of the University of Calgary support for internationalization and to international students.
The University of Calgary also has agreements to receive funded/scholarship students from a number of countries at both the graduate (Masters and Doctoral) and undergraduate (Baccalaureate) level. We encourage international graduate and undergraduate students to consider spending time at the University of Calgary working with academics in disciplines assisting in cutting edge research.
“Calgary is a global community – and we must prepare our graduates to work in a globalized world.” Academic Plan 2012-2016.
The University of Calgary has developed an ambitious plan that would encourage 50 per cent of undergraduate students to have a study abroad or international experience. All undergraduate programs provide an international component to the program which may include study abroad (Student Exchange, Groups Study Programs, research, practicum, Internships or independent study). Students may enhance their academic program, employment prospects and personal growth by studying abroad for a term or year.
The University of Calgary offers a variety of study abroad options in more than 50 countries including: Student Exchange Programs for a term or full year; Semester Abroad Programs in Czech Republic and Spain with University of Calgary courses taught on site; Field Schools to selected sites which offer intensive study opportunities abroad with University of Calgary faculty members during Spring and Summer Terms and Block Weeks. Students may also use their initiative to design their own program of study or undertake a research project.
While some study programs require knowledge of a language other than English, not all the University of Calgary exchange partners expect a student to be fluent in order to participate. It is possible to combine study abroad with language learning.
Students unable to study abroad may get involved with international activities on campus: volunteering with international offices such as UCInternational or Centre for International Students and Study Abroad and taking part in events to promote discussion and an international understanding: refer to “Make Your Degree More International” section of University Calendar for more information.
We will leverage our expertise to share capacity with targeted institutions in the developing world. International partnerships will be equitable, respectful of differences in culture, and mutually beneficial. We will be a global source for objective information, expertise, and productive collaborations across all sectors of government, industries, and non-governmental organizations.” Academic Plan 2012-2016.
The University of Calgary has over 250 international partnerships that include collaborative research, joint academic and scientific studies, collaborative degrees and student exchanges, training programs, internships and practicums. University of Calgary staff/faculty lead development projects in Water Management in Central and South America; Child Health in Uganda; Health care Accessibility, Rehabilitation and Education in South Sudan. University of Calgary students may complete a semester-long internship/practicum through our participation in Students for Development with NGO's in Ghana, Uganda and Bolivia.
The University of Calgary opened its first branch campus "U of C Qatar" in Fall 2007 offering a Bachelors of Nursing and post-degree diploma programs to residents of the Gulf region. The University of Calgary celebrated its first graduating class from UCQatar in June 2010 and has approximately 400 students enrolled in the Nursing Program.
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