What is it like to participate in CLDP?  

“CLDP is a really good program for people who are looking at being more involved in their community,” shared Sofiyyah Kelani, 2023-24 program alumna. “It’s a very easy way to get started – you get support, mentorship, and a space to explore what community means to you and how to make a difference, no matter how small you think it is.”

As part of CLDP, Sofiyyah’s team hosted the International Health Hub Huddle, which helped international students learn more about their health care coverage and gain confidence in accessing their benefits. In leading her team, Sofiyyah was able to grow in her leadership and planning skills, begin thinking in a more community-oriented way, and become a better communicator on both personal and professional levels, all while getting to know more about herself.

Meet the CLDP facilitator

The Community Leadership Development Program is facilitated by Maddi Reed, a queer and neurodivergent staff member whose intersectional identity led them to a passion for women’s rights, reproductive justice, and queer rights. Maddi brings experience in planning and implementing events, and hopes to address the significant gap in supports on-campus for students who want to hold student-led events.

“This upcoming year, I am most excited to see idea generation and implementation come directly from students for students,” shared Maddi. “I look forward to learning alongside the student teams to discover what the best version of their events looks like.”

What does it entail?

Applications for the summer intake will open on June 2, 2025, at 9:30am. Student teams of three or more will apply for the Grow Your Community Fund, proposing a project that meets an identified need in their community. Successful student teams will receive funding, mentorship, and training in community-building for marginalized, minoritized, and underrepresented student communities on campus through weekly meetings.

Program Timeline

For student teams applying for the summer intake, keep the following dates in mind:

• June 2 – applications open
• June 5, June 8, June 17 – optional GYCF Idea Generation and Grant Writing workshops
• June 22 – applications close
• July 7 – student teams are notified
• July 17 – August 21 – required weekly Thursday evening training sessions
• September – proposal implementation starts!

For more information on the eligibility criteria, the selection process and how to apply visit the Grow Your Community Fund webpage.

Williams is in her fourth year at UM, studying environmental design in the Faculty of Architecture. She describes how she has always “felt very strongly about advocating for the land itself,” so the landscape stream was the natural choice as she progressed through the program. Fourth-year students in the “Landscape of Urbanism” course are encouraged to participate in a mobility experience across several countries in Europe, exploring how other nations and cultures have approached landscape design. Through this trek, Williams found new inspiration to incorporate into her vision for land advocacy back home in Winnipeg.

This experience took Williams and her peers on a tour that included Denmark, Sweden, Germany, the Netherlands, and France. From late August to early September 2024, they explored a variety of public spaces that demonstrate unique landscape design elements, from housing complexes to parks and playgrounds. These sights were as beautiful as they were academically enriching for Williams, since she was exposed to ideas that she could not have seen by staying at home in Canada. “We don’t really have access to these really formal or experimental parks that have been around in Europe for however many years; they just have a very different mindset about what’s important,” she describes – adding that while she loves our landscape features in Winnipeg, it is important to see other examples!

More than any other site, Williams took inspiration from Fuglsangpark in Denmark, a community built around the idea of social housing. She describes the beauty of the site and the way it seamlessly transitions from public to private spaces, incorporating gardens, playgrounds, residences, and school buildings. The design itself facilitates a community of people who care for the space and for each other, which inspires Williams to reimagine how spaces in Canada, such as reserve communities, could be better designed. Considering this example, she says:

“…All of the questions that are asked of me as an Indigenous designer focus on land use and this idea of not walking into a room and not acting like I know what’s best for someone. Instead, it’s changing the approach and sitting down with the community or client and being able to talk to them and say, ‘What do you need? What are you like? What is important to you?’…And then taking that and really including them by making these spaces for them to speak.”

Though the days spent hopping from one location to the next could be exhausting, Williams and her class maintained their perseverance. “There’s a lot of people who surprise themselves on that trip,” she explains, reflecting on the endurance they developed while travelling. Despite the demands of their packed schedule, Williams was “still be able to come out on the end being so happy and excited for all the things that [she’s] seen.”

Even in the planning stages of this experience, Williams recalls feeling both supported and encouraged thanks to the amazing staff and resources at the International Centre (IC). Hesitant at first to apply for GSO funding, the IC’s mobility team provided much-needed reassurance for Williams. She recalls worrying that she might not be as deserving of these funds as other students, but thanks Naomi Fujiwara at the IC for convincing her that she should ignore the doubts and apply anyway. Williams wants to assure prospective applicants that the staff will not “look down on you” for requesting financial aid: “They want to see people have these experiences, and they want to see our university communities thrive because of it.”

Students seeking inspiring experiences such as Williams’ can email GSO[at]umanitoba[dot]ca for an application form. You can also begin exploring other global mobility possibilities, such as student exchanges or full year international experiences through the McCall MacBain International Fellowship, at UM’s International Centre homepage or reach out to international[at]umanitoba[dot]ca.

Indigenous students are invited to attend a celebration and learning event on December 6. Attendees will enjoy lunch from Daily Bread and hear the stories of Indigenous students who have recently participated in global mobility programs in a peer-facilitated session.

This session, hosted by the International Centre and Student Affairs Assessment, Communications and Outreach will provide information about international opportunities and the associated funding supports that are available to UM Indigenous students.

One of the students who will be sharing their experience in one of the global mobility programs is Faith Bergman. Bergman is a Métis student in the Faculty of Arts studying Advanced Psychology. She participated in the International Centre (IC) exchange program, which took her to Adelaide, Australia for most of the Winter 2024 term. Support from IC and Global Skills Opportunity (GSO) funds allowed Bergman to make the most of her time. She shared how the experience brought her new appreciation for her studies. She notes that, “You’re gonna have to work with clients who have various different perspectives – like cultural perspectives that affect their lenses on different topics – and so I think that going to some countries that are very different than Canada … I can understand where they’re coming from a bit more.” These same experiences held further value as well. Bergman shared, “It made me just feel more excited to connect with my culture, because I hear people talking about their cultures and practices and how excited they are about them.” Read more about Bergman’s experience.

Kaidence Kalcsics, who participated in the Asper exchange, will also be sharing stories and benefits of the global mobility programs. If you would like to hear more about these experiences, register for this event in advance.

Event:
Friday, December 6, 2024
12:30 – 2:00 p.m.
Migizii Agamik Circle Room

Global Mobility Programs

If you would like to learn more about the global mobility programs and how they could benefit you in your studies, as well as whether you might be eligible for funding, visit the International Centre homepage. You can also reach out directly to the International Centre with any questions or to discuss your options at international[at]umanitoba[dot]ca. If you are eligible and would like to pursue GSO funding, contact GSO[at]umanitoba[dot]ca for an application form.  

Bergman used GSO funds to make the most of her Winter 2024 term at Flinders University in Adelaide, Australia! “The GSO definitely assisted in allowing me to take this experience to the fullest and do everything I wanted to do,” she explains. Not only did Bergman study in Adelaide, but, like many exchange students, she used the opportunity to experience a variety of other locations including Perth, Sydney, and Brisbane in Australia, and Vietnam and Bali in Asia! GSO funds can cover from 30–80% of costs associated with the outbound program students are embarking on. For example, Bergman was able to use GSO funds to cover a significant portion of her rent costs.

At the University of Manitoba, Bergman studies Advanced Psychology and is considering a career in the field of social work. She explains how studying abroad brought her a renewed appreciation for her studies. “Academic-wise, it was really good to go to a different university and see how their education is there … it made me feel more confident in my degree; it’s just a different perspective out there.” She also contemplates how her new experience interacting with a variety of cultures might help her in her future career in social work. “You’re gonna have to work with clients who have various different perspectives – like cultural perspectives that affect their lenses on different topics – and so I think that going to some countries that are very different than Canada … I can understand where they’re coming from a bit more.” Those cross-cultural experiences had personal value for Bergman, too. “It made me just feel more exited to connect with my culture, because I hear people talking about their cultures and practices and how excited they are about them.”

Another great benefit of Bergman’s overseas experience is the friendships she forged. She paints a beautiful picture of what her day-to-day looked like through the term: “Often my weeks would look like going to work and maybe meeting up for dinner, meeting up for drinks at a patio – because everything’s walking distance – just to connect and meet new people. But on other days it was often schoolwork, getting coffee, and going a walk down the river with my roommates. We did that a lot, actually. It’s a really nice river!” In addition to her roommates, Bergman made new friends from working at a café near her apartment. She came to describe these new connections as her community out in Australia. Reflecting on the overseas friendships she has maintained since coming home, she calls it “a different type of friendship that’s definitely lifelong.”

Of course, there were also challenges to overcome during her term abroad, but Bergman used them as learning opportunities. When she experienced a bout of homesickness, she reached out to the counselling centre at Flinders University and was met with a surprise. “The counselling was randomly paired, but she actually lived in Winnipeg for like 5 years. It was really funny; we were laughing about it!” In the end, Bergman found that her homesickness was short-lived and grew to appreciate it. “With the whole homesickness thing, it’s like a necessity, I would almost say … I’ve always been an independent person, but this challenged me in the way that I needed, she reflects.”

The UM International Centre (IC) was another invaluable support for Bergman. In the initial stages of planning for her student exchange, she recalls how the IC’S Mobility Team made preparation easier and less stressful by breaking up tasks into “bite-sized” pieces. “You are given so much time to prep and work,” explains Bergman, “…I found with the time given, almost a year of knowing… it’s actually very achievable.”

For Bergman, this exchange was something she wanted to do at the right point in her education. She describes wanting to travel more but not delay her degree and having countries she wanted to visit in her twenties. “It’s honestly a perfect time to chip away at your education but also enjoy things other than Canada.” With the GSO, she was able to accomplish her goals at the time that felt right for her instead of waiting until she could afford everything she wanted to do with this experience. “You can’t just bank on doing it one day,” she advises.

If you are seeking a challenging, skill-building, and friendship-forging experience like Bergman’s, what are you waiting for? The GSO can help you on your way, so don’t be afraid to apply! At the International Centre homepage, you can find information on all kinds of global mobility programs for students. A student exchange is only one of many possibilities! Don’t hesitate to reach out to the International Centre directly to ask questions and discuss your options at international[at]umanitoba[dot]ca. If you find a program that piques your interest, and you belong to one of the eligible categories for GSO funding, be sure to contact GSO[at]umanitoba[dot]ca for an application form!

For Indigenous students interested in learning more about the Global Skills Opportunity and its opportunities abroad, there is an information session on December 6 at 12:30 p.m. at Migizii Agamik in the Circle Room.

GSO is a new initiative UM students can apply for to fund a variety of global mobility programs! This funding prioritizes groups of students who are typically underrepresented in global mobility programs, such as:

• Indigenous students
• Students from low-income backgrounds
• Disabled students
• Students who are visible minorities
• 2SLGBTQIA+ students
• Students who belong to minority faiths

McLandress’ GSO funding has gone towards her studies at Yonsei University in South Korea for the Fall 2024 term. She describes South Korea as a great fit for her interests, both personally and academically. Through her Intensive Korean class, McLandress is building on what she learned in Introduction to Korean at UM, all while practicing the language in her day-to-day interactions! As a history student, too, discovering South Korea’s heritage has been a fulfilling part of her experience so far. “There are so many interesting museums and historical sites here, it’s actually crazy,” she raves. “Just earlier today I saw the bridge where the massive prisoner of war exchanges happened, like between North Korea and South Korea […] There’s just so much history that I never thought I would be able to see and not just read about!”

As well as enhancing her academic life, McLandress’ exchange has helped her grow as a person and become more independent and confident. “I think at this point, after being here for almost two months, I fear nothing.” She explains how she’s ventured out of her comfort zone every day, like by pushing herself to book a hair appointment in Korean. “I have had to just say, like – ‘OK, this is terrifying, but I just have to do it.” Overcoming challenges and trying new things, she explains, has helped her develop a sense of independence.

Does McLandress’ story resonate with you? Maybe you want to explore another country or push yourself to be more independent. Reach out to the International Centre (IC), because a global mobility program could be exactly what you’re looking for! “The International Centre staff were so helpful, and I got so many really helpful resources and a lot of really good guidance,” explains McLandress. “Even if you don’t know anything, even if you don’t know where you want to go, even if you don’t know when or how you could make it work. You just, like, book an appointment! Just go!”

If you’re like McLandress and you’re interested in a global mobility program but don’t know if it’s feasible for you, the IC will advise you on whether GSO funding can help send you on your next adventure! You can check out the International Centre homepage for information on all student mobility programs and funding initiatives, including GSO, or contact international[at]umanitoba[dot]ca with general inquiries or GSO[at]umanitoba[dot]ca for a GSO application form.

Earlier this month, UM launched its new strategic plan, MomentUM: Leading Change Together. While work on the implementation of the plan is just beginning, we want to maintain the momentum by offering dedicated funds to support our community’s creative ideas and initiatives.

UM’s proposed 2024-2025 operating budget, being presented to the Board of Governors for approval in May 2024, includes a pool of funds set aside for one-time, short-term projects that support our strategic priorities.

The Strategic Initiatives Support Fund is open to staff and faculty interested in implementing projects that will advance our strategic goals in creating knowledge that matters, empowering learners and reimagining engagement. Projects will also be informed by our fundamental commitments to fostering a vibrant community, advancing Reconciliation for transformative change and building a sustainable future.

What types of projects will the SISF support?

The Fund will support projects costing between $10,000 and $100,000 and that can be completed by March 31, 2025.

Examples of projects that support strategic goals could include those that:

• Expand ways in which students can participate in research, scholarly and creative activities.
• Create connections across units that break down silos and identify shared opportunities.
• Enhance UM’s impact locally and globally by increasing access to our community of experts.
• Review and redesign curriculum, courses or student supports to meet the changing needs of learners.
• Expand new learning opportunities, such as digital, land-based, community, workplace, classroom and co-curricular activities.
• Provide new tools and supports for faculty and staff members to be successful in their work.
• Support community-building to foster a university culture of well-being and belonging.
• Advance equity, diversity and inclusion in community-life.
• Centre Reconciliation in institutional policies and practices.
• Further institutional sustainability and climate action initiatives.
• Strengthen relationships with community partners, on and off our campuses.

How to apply?

Please visit the Strategic Initiatives Support Fund intranet page for information on proposal requirements, funding parameters, and approval processes and to access the proposal template form.

Applications are due to the Office of the Provost by Monday, May 13, 2024.

Learn about projects funded by last year’s Strategic Initiative Support Fund: https://news.umanitoba.ca/strategic-initiatives-fund-projects-announced/

“We’re thrilled to see both the province and the federal governments have stepped up to meet the child-care needs of our students and faculty on our Bannatyne and Fort Garry campuses. We’ve never had a child-care centre on the Bannatyne campus,” says UM associate vice-president (administration), Raman Dhaliwal.

The proposed new centre at UM’s Bannatyne campus will have 90 spots and an additional 76 spaces will be created at UM’s Campus Children’s Centre Inc. on the Fort Garry campus.

“Residents will now have access to care for their children close to where they are completing their education and training and that is a huge win for students with families. The centre will also offer extended hours to accommodate the clinical schedule of students, which is longer than a typical workday for most people, especially when they are on call,” added Dhaliwal.

UM associate vice-president (administration) Raman Dhaliwal with federal minister Families, Children and Social Development, Karina Gould, and Manitoba Education and Early Childhood Learning Minister, Wayne Ewasko at July 20, 2023 announcement.

UM submitted an expression of interest for new spaces earlier this year, but efforts to fund and build a centre at UM’s Bannatyne campus have been underway for years.

Dhaliwal says the plan is also to provide access to weekend child-care services to allow time for studying or to help graduate students in the health professions enter the workforce and provide care for Manitobans.

Funding is from the Canada-Manitoba Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, which will provide  $180 million in funding over the next three years to expand child-care spaces in public schools and post-secondary institutions across the province.

“I am proud that we are partnering with the University of Manitoba to add child-care spaces at two of their sites in Winnipeg,” says Manitoba Education and Early Childhood Learning Minister Wayne Ewasko. “These additional spaces will make a real difference for students, staff and their families and ensure they are able to access high-quality, affordable child care, making it easier to learn and work.”

Projects were chosen based on the feasibility of each institution’s plan, availability of space/land and the need for child care within the area.

“We know that child care is a necessity for Canadian families. That is why Canada and Manitoba are making sure that families in Manitoba have better access to early learning and child care, no matter where they live,” added federal Families, Children and Social Development Minister, Karina Gould, in a joint press release. 

Over the coming months, provincial officials will work with UM to finalize project details and exact timing for new space openings and timelines for when the Bannatyne centre will open.

You can find more information on this story and other child-care initiatives in this press release.

“Access to higher education is critical to growing our provincial workforce and this increase will help reduce financial barriers so more students can pursue post-secondary opportunities,” said Guillemard.

“As the cost of living continues to increase, our government remains committed to making life more affordable for Manitobans. This increase will provide additional funding to students who have the highest financial need, so they can remain focused on their studies and achieve their educational goals.”

The move aligns with the federal government’s decision to raise the Canada Student Loan maximum to $300 per week of study for the 2023-24 program year.

The Manitoba government also plans to increase the Manitoba Bursary Fund through an additional $1.4-million investment to support eligible students. Bursaries don’t need to be repaid and will be available to eligible lower-income students attending post-secondary institutions.

For more information, visit www.manitoba.ca/aesi/sas.html.

For more information about funding options or to apply for Manitoba student aid, visit https://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/msa/.

The SOTL Program also invites applications for teaching scholars and teaching fellows, two new funding streams that provide opportunities for enhancing educational leadership.

Four SOTL funding streams:

1. Teaching and Learning Seed Project: This program is available to all full-time tenure track/tenured faculty and probationary/continuing instructors and librarians. Funds up to a maximum of $6000 per project. Approximately ten (10) will be funded.
2. Teaching and Learning Major Project: This program is available to all full-time tenure track/tenured faculty and probationary/continuing instructors and librarians. Funds up to a maximum of $25,000 per project with matching/in-kind contributions from the unit(s). Approximately three (3) will be funded.
3. Teaching Scholars: This program is offered to three (3) tenure-track faculty members and priority may be given to those individuals who have completed the Teaching and Learning Certificate Program.
4. Teaching Fellow: This program will support one (1) tenured faculty member. The successful applicant will dedicate between 40-50% of their time for a two-year term. The program will provide funds for a course release instructor(s), as well as a project funding up to $25,000 over the duration of the fellowship and units will provide matching funds.

The application deadline for each of the four funding streams is May 1, 2022.

To learn more about the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Program, read the full call for applications and download application forms on the Provost website.

Fostering Clinics and Aiding Research

The Desautels Center will stimulate and foster clinical work for law students and research in private enterprise and the law by legal and business scholars. Dean of Law, Dr. Richard Jochelson has announced that the newly-created Desautels Centre Advisory Committee (led by Associate Dean (Academic) Dr. Virginia Torrie) will be instrumental in developing the immediate intellectual and academic infrastructure of the Centres’ future endeavours. 

Over the next several months, the Centre will begin to unfurl a critical list of goals and projects, to help foster training for law students interested in family-owned business and start-up business clinical practice, and to make these pursuits a cornerstone of the UM Faculty of Law experience. Plans include the development of a business clinic as a critical experiential training ground for future lawyers, the development of mooting and debating opportunities, and new course development under the auspices of the Centre.

Future steps include the development of an innovation hub to house the clinical activities of the Centre, as well as the recruitment of a permanent Faculty position to provide stewardship over the clinical and academic side of the Centre. “The Centre seeks to develop synergies between law and private enterprise to give future lawyers and their clients a better understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing privately-held businesses,” Torrie noted.

The Centre has also issued a call for applications for a new seed fund, which like each of the initiatives of the Centre, is funded by a generous endowment established in 2003 by alumnus Marcel A. Desautels [BA/1955; LLB/1959; LLM/1965; LLD/1999]. Successful applicants will have funds in place for the 2021 – 2022 academic year.

Increasing impact for the Desautels Centre

“The Committee is in the process of developing a website and social media presence that will share news of the work it is doing this year,” said Jochelson. “So far, the work includes developing a Desautels open access journal for law and business, which will seek interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary contributions.”

Further, Jochelson explained, an online business case blog will be created where business and law students can discuss case studies or recent developments in this area of law. Finally, a private enterprise consolidated cases reporter will be set up as a tool to assist laypersons as well as the professional legal practicing community.

Supporting and Building Community

Connections and advancements already underway by the Committee are manifold, including sponsoring four delegates from the law or business student body to attend the upcoming Conflict Resolution Day Conference taking place October 20, 2021 online. The Desautels Centre is also supporting another online conference this fall – the 5^th Annual Commercial Law Symposium, which is being co-organized with Dr. Anna Lund (Faculty of Law, University of Alberta).

The Centre will be connecting with the Canadian Business History Association to support early-career researchers working on private enterprise and law. A collaboration with the Banking and Finance Law Review will involve the Centre hosting a Desautels Centre Fintech student writing competition.  Each of these will help develop a constellation of private enterprise links nationally.

A Desautels Lecture Series is being planned for this year, and will be open to the public, but especially made available to law and business students. On January 25th at 12:00 p.m., there will be a Zoom lecture featuring Prof. Matthew Bellamy (Carleton University, Department of History) speaking on part of his book, Brewed in the North: A History of Labatt’s (Montreal and Kingston, McGill-Queen’s University Press, 2019). His talk will look at the family business origins of Labatt’s brewing and the company’s operations through the prohibition era. This talk will thus draw together private enterprise, law, and history – in keeping with the vision of the Desautels Centre – and show the power of multidisciplinary approaches to understanding businesses.

Finally, the Faculty will develop new Desautels courses including accounting for start-up business ventures, lawyers in the sector, and family owned start-ups, and will offer workshops to law and business students and the general public on: family-owned businesses, start-up ventures in Manitoba, rural business planning and operations in Manitoba, and more.