2022-06-29

New Canadian scholarship program addresses inequality in developing countries

OTTAWA – Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau announced Saturday the launch of the Canadian International Development Scholarships 2030 program that will educate, train and empower thousands of bright, talented people in developing countries around the world. Prime Minister Trudeau made the announcement while attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Kigali, Rwanda.

Colleges and Institutes Canada and Universities Canada are proud to jointly administer this ambitious new scholarship program in partnership with the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) and the Association of African Universities (AAU).

This eight-year, $80 million program funded by Global Affairs Canada will provide people — particularly women — in more than 24 developing countries with high-quality, inclusive education and training opportunities, with the intention of addressing inequality, and bettering their lives and their communities.

The Canadian International Development Scholarships 2030 will directly reach more than 7,000 people — at least half of whom will be women — in eligible francophone countries, Commonwealth countries and Small Island Developing States. Participants will be given opportunities to learn about entrepreneurship and leadership development or take part in other tailor-made and thematic training, in their own country/region or in Canada.

Training and education will be focused on key UN Sustainable Development Goal priority areas such as science, technology, engineering and math (STEM); climate action; artificial intelligence; health sciences; green and blue economy; and governance and administration.

The Canadian International Development Scholarships 2030 will leverage Canada’s network of 236 colleges and universities — 62 of which are francophone — and the long-standing partnerships that Canada’s post-secondary institutions have in developing countries.

“By supporting the development of talent and fostering the next generation of leadership in countries around the world, the Canadian International Development Scholarships 2030 program will contribute to a better, more equitable and more sustainable future,” said Paul Davidson, President of Universities Canada. “Canada’s universities are pleased to have the opportunity to work with international partners to achieve this program’s ambitious goals.”

“This new program will empower thousands of people in dozens of countries through leadership training, mentorship and education,” said Denise Amyot, president of Colleges and Institutes Canada. “Canada’s colleges and institutions look forward to helping connect educational leaders from across the world to develop new tools and resources for the future.”

About Colleges and Institutes Canada:

CICan is the national and international voice of Canada’s largest post-secondary education network. It advocates, builds capacity, and drives knowledge to strengthen Canada’s publicly supported colleges, institutes, CEGEPs, and polytechnics.

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About Universities Canada
Universities Canada is the voice of Canada’s universities at home and abroad, advancing higher education, research and innovation for the benefit of all Canadians.

Source: https://www.univcan.ca/