Indigenous students, students from low-income households and students with disabilities at Douglas College will have more access to study abroad opportunities thanks to $499,200 in funding from Global Skills Opportunity, the Government of Canada’s Outbound Student Mobility Pilot Program.
Starting in January, the Global Competency Mobility Bursary Program (GCMBP) will distribute mobility bursaries to Douglas College students undertaking study abroad to make it more affordable for students from groups traditionally underrepresented in study abroad programs. Support levels are tied to need.
Leonel Roldán-Flores, Associate Vice-President, International Education, said the GCMBP increases equity, diversity and inclusion among the Douglas College students.
“The Global Competency Mobility Bursary Program lowers the barriers for underserved and underrepresented students to have the opportunity to study abroad,” said Roldán-Flores. “We believe that every student who wants to experience international education, regardless of personal circumstances, should have the chance to do so.”
GCMBP funding will add to existing study abroad awards distributed by the College, including the President’s International Exchange Scholarship, the Douglas College International Studies Award and the Irving K. Barber B.C. Scholarship Society scholarships.
Students who want to complete the Global Competency Certificate (GCC), a new credential that helps students build global competencies – such as critical thinking and intercultural communications – will find that the funding supports opportunities like international exchange and field school.
“Douglas College’s vision is to graduate resilient global citizens. The GCMBP and the GCC will work in tandem to see that this becomes a reality for traditionally underrepresented students,” said Roldán-Flores.
The GCMBP was created in response to recommendations from the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in Study Abroad report completed by Douglas College International in April 2021 with funding from the Global Skills Opportunity Innovation fund.
Douglas College is the largest degree-granting college in B.C., combining the academic foundations of a university and the employer-ready skills of a college to graduate resilient global citizens who adapt, innovate and lead in a changing world.
For more information, visit douglascollege.ca
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