Internationalization News for Summer 2010
Thompson Rivers University has appointed Dr. Wesley J. Koczka as Associate Vice President, International and CEO Global Operations.
Global Competency Credential for TRU Students.
The new Global Competency Credential is available to all TRU students and will recognize those students who have engaged internationally and interculturally as part of their education. Global competency is best understood as a body of knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes that reflect a capability for global citizenship—that is, a capacity to engage effectively in an international environment. In today’s globalized world, where economies and societies interact with one another on a multitude of levels, this capacity is ever more in demand.
International Days 2011 will be held February 7-11.
This week will be a rich opportunity for the TRU community to showcase international perspectives, initiatives and experiencees. Let's take this opportunity to expose TRU students to global perspectives and events. Organize an event or consider your class attending an event.
Faculty or staff interested in participating should contact Kyra Garson
International Days 2009 and 2010 provided avenues to share cultures, experiences and perspectives across the campus. Participants were given opportunities to learn more about our international students and their homelands, as well as to learn more about the unique ways students, staff, faculty and community members are engaging with the world outside of the classroom. TRU as a globally minded campus was realized.
Culturally Diverse Learners - TRU Film Project 
During the summer of 2009, TRU faculty worked with students to create a film about culturally diverse classrooms. Thanks to generous funding from B.C. Campus, TRU was able to create this timely and important material for faculty professional development.
The project was managed from the Centre for Teaching and Learning in collaboration with TRU World, faculty from Performing Arts and ESL. Faculty from Tourism, EML, SOBE and Nursing are featured in the film.
The resource is available online through the BC Campus Shareable Online Learning Resources. A copy of the DVD can also be requested from the Centre for Teaching and Learning.
For more information contact Kyra Garson or Emma Bourassa
1. Professional Development – Centre for Teaching and Learning
The Centre offers a variety of workshops and brown bag lunch sessions throughout the semester. May Daze offer a series of workshops during the month of May, some of which include international or intercultural focus.
To register for workshops, go to www.sos.tru.ca/pd
.
Internationalizing the Curriculum – Seminar
In spring of 2008 the Centre for Teaching and Learning and TRU World initiated an Internationalizing the Curriculum seminar for a cohort of TRU faculty members. Twenty faculty members were selected to participate in 3 days of workshops with facilitators from TRU and VIU (formerly Malaspina). TRU educators participated in these sessions in order to better meet the needs of students studying in, and graduating into, increasingly international contexts. Internationalization of curriculum has the potential to enhance learning for all our students and to provide Canadian students with broadened perspectives with which to compete in the global marketplace.
In December of 2008, this group reconvened to reflect on and discuss the internationalization of specific courses in their disciplines:
• Business and Economics
• Career Education
• Counselling
• English and Modern Languages
• Human Services
• Natural Resource Science
• Nursing
• Open Learning
• Philosophy
• Respiratory Therapy
• Social Work
• Sociology and Anthropology
• Tourism
Faculty members interested in participating in a future cohort should contact Kyra Garson
More information...
6. Departmental workshops or discussion forums
Departments, or groups within departments, desiring a specific focus or workshop tailored to their needs or schedules are encouraged to make a request. Contact Kyra Garson to make arrangements.
7. Facebook discussion group:
Intercultural Teaching and Learning Community – Dialogue and Resources
TRU Faculty and Staff are invited to join a Facebook group where members can join discussions, share perspectives, ask questions, or post links. The group presently has more than 70 members and has recently been joined by colleagues at other institutions. To join, go to Facebook, find the group Intercultural Teaching and Learning Community, and request to join. Contact Kyra Garson at kgarson@tru.ca for additional information or assistance with joining.