Transcript Wednesday_Salon AB_1045_Annan

Mitacs Globalink and
International Research
Rob Annan
Interim CEO and
Scientific Director
October 2014
www.mitacs.ca
www.mitacs.ca
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What is Mitacs?
Canadian not-for-profit research organization
Governed by Canada’s research universities
3,000 projects supported annually
5,000+ students trained
Partnership between universities, industry,
government
www.mitacs.ca
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Mitacs program goals
Promote research-based innovation
High-quality, collaborative research projects
A partnership approach
Cross-disciplinary and inter-disciplinary approach
Skills training and experience
Industry for students
Flexibility and responsiveness
Private
Sector
www.mitacs.ca
International
Academia
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Mitacs Programs - National and International
 Canada’s premier industrial research program
 R&D management leaders
 International research mobility
 Professional skills development
 Open the doors to international companies
wanting to be connected to cutting-edge
Canadian R&D in our universities and SMEs
www.mitacs.ca
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Mitacs Globalink
Globalink supports international student
research mobility
www.mitacs.ca
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Why international research partnerships?
Global knowledge flow is key
to economic and social
progress
Provide our young people
the opportunity to
participate in an increasingly
globalized economy
Open our doors to the
world’s best and brightest
Showcase Canadian research
expertise around the world
www.mitacs.ca
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Globalink – a brief history
Launched in 2009 as a mechanism to attract high-quality grad students
Launched in first year with 17 students from India
This year, 500 students from eight countries at 50 Canadian universities
Expanded funding in Budget 2012 as part of International Education
Strategy
Also supported by provincial governments, universities, and partner
countries
www.mitacs.ca
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Mitacs Globalink Partners
India
China
Brazil
Mexico
Turkey
Vietnam
Tunisia
Saudi Arabia
France
Australia
Germany
Japan
South Korea
Chile
Bold: Countries in the International Education Strategy
Italic: Partnerships in development
www.mitacs.ca
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Globalink Objectives
Attract the world’s brightest to Canada
Long-term investment in international experiences
Living bridges for international research collaboration
Raise Canadian profile as a source of world-class research
Make Canada a hub of international research and industry
www.mitacs.ca
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Mitacs Globalink Suite of Initiatives
Globalink
Come to Canada
Research
Internships
www.mitacs.ca
Travel from Canada
Graduate
Fellowships
Partnership
Awards
Research
Awards
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Globalink Research Internships
Summer research internships match international students
with leading Canadian professors
8,000+ applications and 1,700+ research projects
Program provides airfare, visas, health insurance,
residence, mentors, industry tours and professional skills
training.
Professor receives $5,000 research grant
~2/3 of students publish results or present at conference.
www.mitacs.ca
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Globalink Graduate Fellowships
Former Globalink interns are offered graduate fellowships
for study in Canada
Jointly offered with universities
30% of interns who attend graduate school return to
Canada
Globalink intern Vicky Liu
developed a smartphone
app that tracks and displays
vital signs on a mobile
device
www.mitacs.ca
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Globalink Research Award
Travel and research award for Canadian students traveling
abroad
Joint supervision between home and host supervisors
May support existing collaborations between professors
Flexible length and timing for projects
Launched 2014 with 100 students this year
Allison Stocks has traveled to Phu Quoc
island with Mitacs Globalink for
research into the vulnerability of
seahorse populations.
www.mitacs.ca
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Globalink Partnership Award
Industrial research internships abroad for Canadian
students
Supervision by Canadian professor and industrial research
manager
Projects co-funded by Mitacs and industrial partners
Pilot launched spring 2014
www.mitacs.ca
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Challenges and lessons learned
www.mitacs.ca
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Challenges and lessons learned
1. The world is a big place
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www.mitacs.ca
Focused roll-out has been key
Every international market is distinct
Relationship building takes time, work
“Priorities” vary widely
Coordination is essential
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Challenges and lessons learned
2. Reciprocity Matters
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www.mitacs.ca
Engagement not recruitment
Partnerships are key
Meaningful support from all sides for sustainability
Different objectives
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Challenges and lessons learned
3. Full, well-rounded experiences matter
– Students have varied priorities
– Students focused on post-study options
– Canada must leverage its “soft skills”
www.mitacs.ca
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Challenges and lessons learned
4. Canada is among the world’s best
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www.mitacs.ca
Rankings matter
But so do social networks
Students are prepared to love Canada
Show not tell
Be bold
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Challenges and lessons learned
5. Holistic view of international education
– Not just about numbers, recruitment
– Diverse objectives, outcomes
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www.mitacs.ca
Economic, social, environmental, political
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Rob Annan
[email protected]
@robannan
www.mitacs.ca
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