SFU has been awarded $500,000 in funding from the Government of Canada’s Outbound Student Mobility Pilot Program as part of the Global Skills Opportunity program to expand access, diversity and support in SFU’s global skills-building programs. As a key component of the Government of Canada’s International Education Strategy this opportunity will provide more than 80 undergraduate SFU students with funds to broaden their horizons with a work or study abroad opportunity to expand their global perspective and develop valuable intercultural skills to benefit them personally, professionally and academically.
The EDI IMA was created at SFU to increase international learning opportunities for whom international experiences have traditionally been less accessible – specifically Indigenous students, students from low-income backgrounds and those with disabilities. The award funding, which is for domestic students only, is managed by International Services for Students and is open to SFU’s international study and work opportunities with awards from $1000 to $10,000 for underrepresented students with award selections up to 4 terms in advance.
Knihniski hopes to use the skills gained in Australia to secure a career in the field of health policy and advocacy, and to critically consider broader society’s health issues upon her return to Canada.
“EDI IMA has allowed me to focus on my studies and immersing myself in the experience of living in another country.” Knihniski says that the award “has allowed a Canadian Indigenous woman to interact and build relationships with other Indigenous peoples in another country, which is very powerful.”