Now entering its second year, the GRE Fund presents a new stream focused on recruiting exceptional postdoctoral researchers through international collaboration, reinforcing York’s role as a leader in globally connected, high-impact research. 

“GRE is a testament to the success of York’s Global Engagement Strategy which strengthened institutional coordination and alignment on strategic international priorities,” says Rhonda Lenton, president and vice-chancellor. “The expansion of the Global Research Excellence Fund this year to include the joint recruitment of outstanding postdocs with international partners is another step on our path to ensuring that the best and the brightest come to York to put their talents to work for our students, Canada and the world.” 

A cornerstone of Engaging the World: �첥��Ƶ’s Internationalization and Global Engagement Strategy, the GRE Fund was introduced in 2024 to deepen international research ties, boost global impact and elevate York’s standing among top-tier research institutions. 

The inaugural call delivered impressive outcomes, reports York International, including increased research income, new partnerships across priority regions and support for emerging research leaders tackling global grand challenges. 

This year’s expansion is Stream B: Global Post-Doctoral Researcher Award, co-developed with York’s Faculty of Graduate Studies. This new stream enables York researchers to jointly recruit exceptional postdoctoral talent from Canada and abroad, with international partners.

“York has a long history of attracting top globally diverse talent from around the world,” adds Amir Asif, vice-president research and innovation. “We believe in fostering global collaboration – showing that openness to working with the world, even in times of great uncertainty, creates win-win outcomes for all.” 

The GRE program continues to offer Stream A: Strategic Partnership Exploration & Development, providing seed funding for York-led initiatives that build new international research collaborations and expand existing ones. Stream A also supports partnerships with the global South and Indigenous communities overseas. 

“Continued investment in GRE reflects York’s commitment to inclusive, equitable partnerships that deliver impact for Canada and the world. At a time when some countries are stepping back, York is choosing to lead,” says Lisa Philipps, provost and vice-president academic. 

The GRE Fund is managed by the Global Strategic Initiatives team within York International, in close partnership with the offices of the Vice-President Research and Innovation, Provost and President.

Learn how to apply to the GRE Fund. 

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Congolese politician-turned-businessman Eugene Serufuli had a vision that all of his children would attend university abroad, living together and looking out for each other as they earned a degree that would set them up for life.

Dating back to 2018, eight of his nine children have travelled the 10,000 kilometres to Canada from the Democratic Republic of Congo to attend �첥��Ƶ. Three of the Serufuli siblings are graduating this spring from . Two sisters have already graduated, and three more siblings are part-way through their degrees. 

“My dad always wanted all of us together in one place, one university, one house – just to live together, help each other out and watch out for each other,” says Jean-Luc Serufuli, 25, who graduated on June 12 along with his brother Salomon, 24, and sister Diane, 30. All three have earned a degree in political science.

After the first Serufuli sibling attended another Ontario university, it became a family tradition to attend York. It began with two of the eldest sisters, Isabelle and Florine, who enrolled at the Keele Campus in the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies. Florine earned an economics degree in 2018 and Isabelle convocated from information technology in 2024.

The next set of siblings, including Diane and her twin sister Nadia, all chose York’s Glendon College. Fluent in Swahili and French, they were attracted to studying in French while also developing fluency in English. They gravitated toward the business economics and political sciences courses that they felt could set them up for careers back home or in Canada. They liked the intimate environment of Glendon’s smaller campus and its picturesque location close to Toronto’s vibrant downtown.

Only the maverick Jean-Luc thought about bucking the tradition and setting his own course somewhere else.

“I wanted my own lonely life, I guess,” Jean-Luc says with a chuckle. “My dad was like, ‘No!’ Then my appendix ruptured and my dad was staying with me in hospital and he said, ‘You see? What if something like this happened and you were on your own? You can see why you should be with your brothers and sisters.’ And I could.”

Currently, seven of the Serufuli children are sharing a home off campus. They don’t know a way of life without each other in reach, and say that coming to Canada and attending the same university has strengthened their bond.

“Growing up, you think that every single person in the world has eight siblings – you think it’s normal,” says Salomon. “It’s so fun going home. You have eight different stories at the end of the day and maybe more with the parents around.”

Salomon and Jean-Luc say their father couldn’t have helped them make a better decision.

“The supports, the programs – Glendon has all the tools you need to succeed in whatever you want to go into,” says Jean-Luc. “It was one of the best choices that I made, to be honest.”

They are thinking through their next steps, what field they want to go into and which end of the world they want to start their careers.

One option is to join their parents in the family businesses that deal in real estate, agriculture and oil and are run from their home in Kinshasa, Congo’s capital.

But, one thing is certain; if they decide to return home, they will continue to live as one big family, at least in the short term.

“As always, my dad doesn't like us to be separated,” says Jean-Luc. “The tradition is that we all live together until we get married. If you don’t get married, you’re not moving out. So, we’re going to stick together until we find someone.”

Watch a video below:

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The new gift builds on the family’s earlier donation, which first launched the program in Fall 2022. The program provides financial support to York students pursuing experiential learning opportunities globally, such as international internships, academic exchanges, research placements and conferences.

Through this program, the family aims to open doors for the next generation of global citizens. Lau and Chan first met as international students at York, where they forged lifelong friendships and a shared passion for learning across cultures. Because this formative experience shaped their own paths, they are passionate about giving more students the chance to embark on the same journey.

“We know first‑hand how global learning opportunities can build resilience and creativity,” says Chan, CEO and executive director of Singapore‑based SP Chemicals Pte. Ltd. “When students go beyond their familiar surroundings, they learn to adapt and rise to bigger challenges. These qualities are essential to navigate our increasingly complex world, and there is no better way to gain them other than global immersion.”

Lau adds, “In the last three years, some exceptional students have gone on their own learning adventures through our program. It was delightful to watch their transformation, and I am very excited to see how many more bright minds will benefit from our program.”

Since 2022, the Paulina Lau Scholars Program has enabled 24 students to explore experiential learning opportunities in 20 institutions across 14 countries. From internships at NASA, to language training for diplomatic careers, to research on democratic systems, these scholars have gained a wealth of learning – none of which would have been possible without the couple’s generous support.

“Paulina and Hian’s generosity exemplifies how alumni partnerships can spark profound learning journeys,” says Susana Gajic-Bruyea, vice-president, advancement at York. “Their gift is a testament to the transformative power of philanthropy and the enduring connection our alumni share with York.”

Through this landmark gift, Lau and Chan reaffirm their belief that global learning is not a luxury, but a unique component of a York education and a cornerstone for positive change in an interconnected world.

Learn more about the  and how to support global learning opportunities at �첥��Ƶ.

Originally published in YFile.

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�첥��Ƶ will offer funding from the highly competitive Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarships (QES) program to students and researchers from York, as well as partner universities in Costa Rica, Ghana and the Philippines to tackle issues at the intersection of climate change and human population displacement.

The highly competitive QES program was established in 2012 and is managed through a partnership between Universities Canada, the Rideau Hall Foundation and Canadian post-secondary institutions. To date, more than 2,600 scholars from Canada and around the world have received the award.

York’s project, titled the , will direct scholarships valued at up to $10,000 to send 12 York students overseas and welcome 10 international scholars to York over the next three years.

Professor Ali Asgary, director of CIFAL and executive director of the Advanced Disaster, Emergency and Rapid Response Simulation Lab, is academic lead for the QES project and says he is hopeful the program will inspire students to continue working in a field that needs fresh ideas and dedication.

“York students will have the opportunity to visit places where they can make connections with what they are studying firsthand and get to know the challenges and complexities of these situations. They will be able to network with policymakers and researchers in other countries, and because the focus is interdisciplinary, they will get to know researchers in both climate change and population displacement.”

Additionally, scholars visiting York will provide invaluable insights to the University community on how they address these challenges in their countries, which can help inform how Canadians tackle climate change at home.

With these goals in mind, Asgary and York’s former assistant vice-president Global Engagement and Partnerships Vinitha Gengatharan, whose team is supporting the QES project, sought expert partners to bring the diverse expertise and perspectives required for this multi-continental project. At York, the new project brings together faculty leaders from York Emergency Mitigation, Engagement, Response and Governance Institute (Y-MERGE), York’s Las Nubes campus in Costa Rica, the Centre for Refugee Studies, the  and the Dahdaleh Institute for Global Health Research.

International partners were chosen from countries specifically impacted by climate change and displacement, and include the University of Costa Rica, University of Ghana, the University of Cape Coast (Ghana), the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration and the University of the Philippines.

United Nations Institute for Training and Research’s (UNITAR), CIFAL, the Global Water Academy and Learning for a Sustainable Future, a Toronto-based NGO, are also among the external collaborators.

Amir Asif, vice-president, research and innovation, says the new scholarly exchange reflects York’s continued focus on advancing partnerships for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). York’s global partners on this project carry out compelling climate and human displacement-related  research which complements the University’s strengths and Canada’s climate diplomacy initiatives.

“We hope that through the QES, we will provide youth from Canada and around the world with unique opportunities to gain new perspectives from beyond their labs,” he says, adding that addressing climate justice is essential to reduce growing social inequities. “Future generations will need to have more empathy and stronger cross-cultural understanding. This is important to make difficult compromises and design effective climate policies that garner global consensus. It’s easy to talk about inequities without understanding what inequity looks like, in a different cultural and geographical context.”

In this project, York students attending the University of Cape Coast will have the opportunity to learn from the legacy of the transatlantic slavery at Cape Coast Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and witness how the industrialized West continues to have an impact on the lives of coastal communities in Africa by contributing to rising sea levels.

Asgary notes the project will help move the global goals forward. “This is hugely important for our future. Climate change has introduced a lot of forced or semi-forced displacement and may worsen in years to come," he says.

With files from Suzanne Bowness

Originally published on YFile.

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By Alexander Maavara

The inaugural funding call of the Global Research Excellence (GRE) Fund has concluded with York providing over $230,000 to support international research collaboration.

Launched in the spring of 2024, the GRE Fund is a key initiative in support of Engaging the World: �첥��Ƶ’s Internationalization and Global Engagement Strategy, which prioritizes deepening international research collaborations and maximizing global research impact.

Twenty-four projects across 8 York Faculties and a number of York’s Organized Research Units (ORUs) have been funded. They have received grants of up to $30,000, involving over thirty York faculty and dozens of collaborators from around the world. Projects are deepening international research into sustainable development, climate change adaptation & mitigation, Indigenous pedagogy, AI, disease modelling, critical minerals, LGBTQ+ rights, water sciences, urban infrastructure, migration, and autonomous systems.

GRE-funded collaborations are already advancing York’s global reach. One project has seen Faculty of Health professors Christo El Morr and Vijay Mago organize an international symposium in March 2025 titled “Shaping the AI Landscape: A Multi-Disciplinary Approach to Technology, Society and the Future of Marginalized Communities” in partnership with and hosted at IIT Palakkad. Bringing together philosophers, social scientists, and AI researchers, including those from many other leading Indian institutions like IIT Bombay and IISc Bangalore, the symposium was a tremendous success. It generated insights into the social impacts of AI and great potential for further collaboration.

Another notable international research collaboration is with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in astrophysics. Supported by GRE and considerable external funding, Faculty of Science Prof. Rahul Kannan and his MIT collaborator jointly recruited a Postdoctoral fellow from New �첥��Ƶ.

More than half of the York faculty members engaged are early-career or mid-career researchers.

“Supporting our emerging research leaders is vital to the long-term success of the institution’s research enterprise,” states Amir Asif, Vice President of Research and Innovation. “GRE aligns with �첥��Ƶ's Internationalization and Global Engagement Strategy by fostering investigator-driven research internationalization. This approach leverages our faculty’s expertise, collaborations, and global networks to address pressing global challenges. GRE empowers our investigators to take strategic risks in establishing new or strengthening current partnerships by addressing funding gaps at various stages.”

GRE is supporting projects in 23 countries, with 14 projects engaging Global South or global Indigenous partners. GRE funding is being leveraged to support everything from exploratory discussions and workshops with new partners to grant proposal development and joint personnel training. A key goal of the GRE Fund is to ensure that we facilitate tangible outcomes within a two-year time horizon and partnerships with leading international collaborators. GRE-supported projects have applied for over $16 million in Canadian and international funding opportunities, with over $500,000 in external funding already invested back into the collaborations. GRE projects have facilitated collaborations with top-ranked universities, United Nations agencies, NGOs, media, and arts & cultural organizations in North America, Latin America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Oceania.

“Initiatives like GRE signal York’s global aspirations and vision to partners, peers, governments, and funding bodies that York is committed to supporting collaborations that advance cutting edge and transformational research” says Vinitha Gengatharan, Assistant Vice-President, Global Engagement & Partnerships. “We hope to follow up on GRE’s inaugural success to deepen research ties and build on York’s global reputation by launching the next iteration of GRE in 2025. I greatly appreciate the Associate Vice-Presidents for Research's efforts to adjudicate and guide the GRE initiative to early success. I thank our faculty community, ADRs, research services teams, and international partners for their invaluable input in developing the GRE fund.”  

GRE is designed and implemented by the Global Strategic Initiatives team, a cross-portfolio unit within York International that works closely with the Office of the VP Research and Innovation and the Office of the President to advance the Global Engagement Strategy's research internationalization and reputation priorities. To learn more about the ground-breaking work being supported by the GRE Fund, Click Here.  

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When Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang was sworn in as Ghana’s first female vice-president on Jan. 7, it marked the latest barrier shattered by the �첥��Ƶ alumna.

Her inauguration is another milestone in her journey from distinguished academic to national leader. Long before entering the political arena, she achieved historic firsts as the first female vice-chancellor of a Ghanaian public university in 2008, and Ghana’s first female minister of education, appointed by then-president John Mahama after the 2012 Ghanaian general election.

Her journey began in 1977 at the University of Cape Coast where she graduated with a BA (Hons) in education. She followed up with a master’s and doctoral degree in 1980 and 1986 respectively, both in English literature, at �첥��Ƶ.

Vice-Provost and Dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies, Alice MacLachlan, says: “Professor Opoku-Agyemang’s trajectory as an alumna speaks to the nature of graduate research here at York – in particular, our commitment to cutting-edge research that remains socially engaged and grounded.

“We are all extraordinarily proud of her achievements and her commitment to political leadership and empowerment, and we honour her status as the first woman to take on so many crucial roles: first woman vice-chancellor of a Ghanian public university, first woman minister of education, and – now – first woman vice-president. Professor Opoku-Agyemang’s example reminds us that a master’s or doctoral degree from York – in any field – empowers our alumni to change the world.”

Opoku-Agyemang taught and worked at the University of Cape Coast beginning in 1986. She has held various academic positions, including: head of the Department of English, dean of the Faculty of Arts, warden of Adehye Hall, Valco Trust Fund Post-Graduate Hostel, and the founding dean of School of Graduate Studies and Research. In 1997, she was named academic director of the School for International Training in the History and Cultures of the African Diaspora. From 2008-12, she was the Cape Coast University's vice-chancellor.

In November 2019, she returned to York’s Keele Campus to participate in the Tubman Talks series for the discussion “On Feminizing the Academic Space in Ghana: The Story of a �첥��Ƶ Alumna,” where she shared her experiences as an academic in Ghana. With a population of more than 36 million people, Ghana is a country in western Africa, situated on the coast of the Gulf of Guinea. The country gained independence from the United Kingdom in March 1957.

"Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang's historic appointment as Ghana's first female vice-president is a significant achievement that reflects her commitment to education, leadership and public service," says J.J. McMurtry, dean of the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies. "Her accomplishment underscores her role as a pioneer for women in leadership, illustrating the potential for transformative change within governance and public service. As an alumna of York, her success serves as an inspiration for our students and exemplifies the values of our Faculty, highlighting the impact of a York education in shaping leaders who contribute meaningfully to society. We look forward to seeing the continued impact she will make in her field and on the next generation of student leaders in Ghana."

In July 2020, when she was first chosen to be his vice-presidential running mate by former president John Dramani Mahama, Opoku-Agyemang said: “Making history is gratifying; but what really matters is not to be first through the door. What matters is to hold the door open for those behind us and create other avenues for self-actualization for many more.”

Opoku-Agyemang’s journey serves as a testament to the limitless potential of dreams. Her achievement not only sets new precedents, but also ignites the belief that no dream is unachievable. Through hard work, resilience and an unwavering commitment to her vision, she has paved the way for future generations of women and Black leaders everywhere.

Originally published in YFile.

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By Gloria Suhasini

�첥��Ƶ’s rising in world rankings in his favourite subjects and the campus’s positive vibe got Heath Leone to pack residence-living essentials, laptop, external drive and all, to move to the Great North  

When it was time for Heath Leone, a small-town Iowan to decide on where to go for university education, he looked beyond the United States. For the vibrant young person who wanted to move to a bigger city with a more liberal political outlook compared to his hometown, choosing Canada and Toronto wasn’t difficult. And the tuition fees for international students was comparable to what he would have paid as a citizen in the U.S., which was an added attraction.

“So, I went on campus tours to some of the universities here in Toronto and the GTA region,” says 18-year-old Leone. “I just liked the vibe of York, where everyone seemed really happy, and they [York] had a good biology program.”

Just like Leone, many international future students apply to study at �첥��Ƶ, irrespective of their country’s proximity to Canada, as many subject areas taught and researched at York have risen significantly in world rankings. This year, York jumped five spots in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings to 35th in the world and is once again ranked as a top five university in Canada by Maclean’s 2025 University Rankings.

More recently, the prestigious ShanghaiRanking Consultancy’s 2024 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects has placed York in the top 100 in the world in six subjects and for several other, among top subjects offered in Canada.

Leone who is enrolled for courses in some of these subjects, including physics, says he is thankful that tutorial support is in place for students who seek extra attention. “It’s nice that we have tutorials and lectures and gives the opportunity for you to clear up any misconceptions and doubts. Our tutorials are more focused on problem solving overall, versus just gaining physics knowledge. I really like the resources available and how the teaching and learning is set up at York.”

Leone is happy with not only the education he is receiving at York but is also excited about the employment and volunteering opportunities that are available on campus, including with the University’s external partners and affiliates.

Leone has already found work at a bakery chain’s York location and finds it helpful in shaping his professionalism. “In my job, I need to communicate with my coworkers at the store and that helps with developing team management skills. It also teaches time management because I am working part time as a full-time student.”

On the volunteering front, Leone has joined non-profit student organization . Through a 11-week curriculum, its volunteers empower Toronto and York Region students in grades 4-7 to deal with conflict, bullying, and violence in their homes, schools, and communities.

The program based out of York’s Keele Campus as well as Glendon Campus, also teaches embracing diversity and community building through mentors like Leone, who use their own lived experiences to guide participating school kids.

Residence life has been a source of inspiration for Leone in this sense. He lives on campus at Vanier Residence and loves the community experience. “We have common rooms where I can hang out with friends, watch a movie and even store [in the common fridge] and share cookies from my shifts at work,” he says with a laugh.

Leone, who has made several friends both on campus and in residence, adds that having a roommate has also been a positive experience as they are able to share and care about each other.

“I like that everyone knows each other in the building and pretty close to neighbours on the floor. So overall, residence life is positive,” says Leone, who is now transforming into a big-town individual, while gaining valuable international exposure for a well-rounded future in the global arena.

Originally published in News@York.

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As tributes pour in from around the world following the passing of��Ratan Tata passing, the University is lauding the global visionary’s contributions to internationalization of education.
Tata has played a significant role in strengthening India-Canada relations not only through business operations in Canada, but also as a regular contributor to the higher-education sector, maintaining ties with universities, including offering motivational lectures and master classes to business students.

Tata forged a relationship that served as a guiding force in establishing its business school in India. “�첥��Ƶ community is deeply saddened by the passing of the extraordinary global icon and an esteemed friend to �첥��Ƶ,” said Vinitha Gengatharan, Assistant Vice-President, Global Engagement & Partnerships at York International, paying tribute to the legendary businessman and philanthropist.  “His tremendous support helped shape our Hyderabad Campus will be cherished.” 

Tata was a founding member of York’s India Advisory Council announced during opening of the University’s Hyderabad Campus in September 2014. Earlier that year, Tata was recognized with an Honorary Doctor of Laws by York.

, he said: “I had no idea that this university and this business school … moved beyond the shores of Canada to reflect the internationality of the world we live in.” He added, “Just remember that there are millions of people who are less fortunate than you are and that hopefully of the achievement you will make in your life will be making a difference.”

At the ceremony, Dezso J. Horvath, then dean of the Schulich School of Business, praised Tata as one of the great architects of modern India and a global visionary in business.

Horvath noted that Tata embodies core values taught at the business school – a global mindset, commitment to excellence and innovation, as well as a resolute belief that business can improve society.

Gengatharan also notes that Tata’s commitment to sustainability and social responsibility echoed and inspired York’s own.

Originally published in New@York.

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“With an unparalleled commitment to creating positive change, York has once again been recognized by the QS World University Rankings for academic and research excellence along with highly valued student outcomes,” said Rhonda Lenton, �첥��Ƶ president and vice-chancellor.

According to the QS World University Rankings, this year’s results saw the largest-ever methodological enhancement, introducing three new metrics: Sustainability, Employment Outcomes, and International Research Network. The changes were intended to align with changing student and societal priorities.

This latest ranking news also comes on the heels of York’s impressive results in the 2023 Times Higher Education Impact Ranking and QS’ Subject Report Rankings, both results that were revealed earlier in the year.

York placed in the world’s top 40 universities for advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals according to this year’s Impact Rankings released in June. The University achieved especially strong global standing as a result of University initiatives tied to fighting poverty, reducing inequalities and building more sustainable communities.   

Released in March, the  Report Rankings evaluated more than 15,000 programs from 1,594 institutions and  in the world in three subject areas: English language and literature, philosophy, and for the first time, performing arts.

“These latest QS World University Rankings build on York’s positive global momentum. The impressive results are a testament to the high quality, interdisciplinary research, teaching and learning that take place at York,” said Lenton.

Guided by a University Academic Plan that strives to both inspire and deliver positive change, York’s high-quality academic programming continues to position the institution as a leader in post-secondary education in Canada and around the world.

�첥��Ƶ

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TORONTO, June 12, 2024 – �첥��Ƶ champions sustainability and actively makes positive changes in local and global communities through its work on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Today’s 2024 Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings announcement recognizes that work as York jumped five places to rank 35th in the world. 

York’s overall ranking increased despite stiffer competition than last year with about 2,100 participating universities – approximately 300 more universities than previously. York also shot up 19 spots for zero poverty (SDG 1) to number two in the world and number one in Canada, and ranked number one in Canada for reduced inequalities (SDG 10).  

THE Impact Rankings assesses universities around the world against the UN SDGs in research, stewardship, outreach and teaching.����

“This is a University-wide achievement by our students, staff and faculty to demonstrably make a positive impact to the sustainable development goals through research, teaching, creativity and innovation,” says Rhonda Lenton, president and vice-chancellor of �첥��Ƶ. “We have done particularly well in SDGs that align most strongly with our values as a University, including zero poverty, reduced inequalities, and sustainable cities and communities. I am proud that we continue to be recognized for our leadership in building a more sustainable and inclusive world.” 

York also ranked 13th for sustainable cities and communities (SDG 11) and has moved up more than 30 spots to 35th in the world for SDG 17, local and global partnerships. The University’s dedication to advancing SDGs is embedded in its University Academic Plan 2020-2025. In addition, York placed in the top 50 worldwide for gender equality (SDG 5), responsible consumption and production (SDG 12), and peace justice and strong institutions (SDG 16). 

The University supports reduced poverty through its��‘s Parkdale Community Legal Services program, established in 1971, and Community Legal Aid Services, both of which provide legal assistance to lower income Toronto area residents. In addition, York hosts the��Canadian Observatory on Homelessness��.��

By providing $1 million in support of Indigenous research and working with refugees at the Centre for Refugee Studies for more than 35 years, York is working to reduce inequality. Some 16,000 of York’s students are the first in their family to attend university. The institutional values of social justice, progressiveness, inclusivity, sustainability and excellence are infused into its Decolonizing, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy, Framework and Action Plan on Black Inclusion, and the , including the establishment of a dedicated Indigenous Research Ethics Board at York – the first for a post-secondary institution in Canada. 

As academic lead of the  and through its new Organized Research Unit, OneWATER, the University is helping to develop equitable and integrated solutions to local and global water challenges. 

Through its��Disaster and Emergency Management��program and��UNITAR’s CIFAL York, which serves as a hub for knowledge exchange and capacity building, the University is boosting sustainable cities and communities. York has held more than 200 music, drama and art public event days, and hosted free Nuit Blanche campus art installations in partnership with the City of Toronto.����

York’s extensive network of partners and commitment to community-centred research have helped make possible a new Markham Campus – opening this fall in the heart of one of the most diverse and dynamic urban communities in the province – and a new, first-of-its kind School of Medicine to train primary care physicians. The University intends to offer a two-year bridging pathway for students who may not have considered a career in medicine or health to enhance access, equality and diversity within the health professions, as well as health equity for the people of Ontario. 

Partnering with more than 50 organizations, including Queen’s University, industries, hospitals, governments and community partners, Connected Minds: Neural and Machine Systems for a Healthy, Just Society will help tackle the risks of breakthroughs in technology to vulnerable populations while promoting social health and justice for all, especially Indigenous Peoples in Canada. York received a record $318-million in funding for the Connected Minds program. 

Being named one of  in 2024 for the 12th consecutive year and one of , further highlights York’s work in diversity and sustainability across our multiple campuses. York also continues to have a strong global position in the  once again landing in the top 400 worldwide. 

York supports the UN SDGs through these and many other initiatives as part of what it has always done best – contribute to positive change.  

Learn more about how the York community is advancing the��UN SDGs.��

Originally published in News@York.

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