UW Gazette, March 5, 1997
     
     UW is among the winners of the Awards for Excellence in
Internationalization given by the Association of
Universities and Colleges of Canada.
     The awards, given this year for the first time,
recognize Canadian university achievements in bringing an
international perspective to their institutions. The six re
cipients are being honoured at a ceremony in Ottawa today
and will receive a "modest cash prize and plaque."
     UW's award is in the category of "Curriculum Change:
Integrating an International Dimension in the Academic
Curricula.'' It recognizes UW's International Trade Spe
cialization of the honours arts applied studies co-op
program in the faculty of arts, said Dr. Peter
Woolstencroft, associate dean of arts (special programs). Co-
winner in the category was Ecole de Technologie Superieure
of MontrŽal.
     Responding to a need for more awareness and education
in international trade, UW developed its program in arts in
1988-89. This was in keeping with UW's commitment to co-
operative education and providing specialized education in
traditional and emerging disciplines of the arts,
Woolstencroft said.
     Concerns about education in this area were raised by
the former Premier's Council of Ontario and the Metropolitan
Toronto Board of Trade. The board then asked UW to consider
offering such a program.
     The program includes required courses in economics,
languages and quantitative methods. There are four work
terms in the field, with the last two normally outside
Canada. Students have been placed in Asia and Europe, the
United States, Chile and Peru.
     "The International Trade Specialization has enabled a
large number of students in the faculty of arts to integrate
their undergraduate social science and humanities courses
with the pursuit of their interests in international trade,"
Woolstencroft said. "Generally, students themselves point to
the benefits of having so many students with diverse
interests and varied international experiences and aspi
rations associated with the program," he added.
     Funding from the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, the
Max Bell Foundation and an anonymous UW alumnus contributed
to the launching of Asian language programs and the trade
program's development. In addition, Dixon Scholarships in
International Trade, established by the Ross and Doris Dixon
Charitable Foundation, and the Universal Electronics
International Trade Bursary support co-op placements for
outstanding students.
     Providing an international experience to students has
been part of UW's internationalization objectives for some
time, especially since it established a mission statement on
internationalization in 1987, Woolstencroft said.
     Winners in other categories were Ecole des Hautes
Etudes Commerciales, MontrŽal; York University; University
of British Columbia; and Simon Fraser University. They were
chosen from 48 applications submitted by 26 universities.
     "The winners and the many institutions that
participated in this awards program clearly illustrate that
Canada's universities are becoming more international on all
fronts," said Dr. Robert Giroux, AUCC president. "The
internationalization of our campuses benefits students, who
receive a broader education and whose job prospects
increase, as well as the private sector, which depends on
universities to prepare tomorrow's employees for the
economic global reality."
     Scotiabank has provided $180,000 to fund the awards
program for three years.
     "Business is becoming more global every day," said
Peter Godsoe, Scotiabank chairman and chief executive
officer. "By preparing our future leaders for the challenges
and opportunities of the world marketplace, these leading
Canadian educators are helping propel Canada to the
forefront in the race for global competitiveness."
     Award recipients were selected by an independent panel
of "distinguished individuals from Canada and abroad who are
knowledgeable about universities and internationalization."