UPDATES AT EDUNOVA – NOVEMBER 24, 2022

 

EduNova’s BEST Conference Plans

The planning activities for EduNova’s Study and Stay BEST Conference 2023 started this week. The BEST Conference promotes the exchange of ideas and approaches for international students to build employment skills and bridge successful workplace transitions. The event includes workshops, networking opportunities, student panels, and breakout sessions. The organizing committee is open to input on programming and activities – if your institution does not have a representative yet on the committee, please get in touch with Gabi. You can find out more from the video below on the goals of the BEST Conference(BEST, 2020).


Student Outreach Activities

Nova Scotia Curriculum Schools: From November 14-21, EduNova hosted Dalhousie University, St Mary’s University, Mount Saint Vincent University, Acadia University, NSCAD University and Cape Breton University for five virtual recruitment sessions with students from Nova Scotia’s offshore schools in China and Bangladesh. More than 450 students from 11 NS offshore schools joined in the events, which were offered via the Zoom platform to learn more about opportunities in Nova Scotia and to be introduced to the universities that participated. Students submitted questions in advance to be answered in a lively question-and-answer session each night moderated by the EduNova team and with excellent input from each university reps present for the event. This is the 6th annual NS Curriculum Schools event and the third iteration online.


Notable Meetings & Conferences

Shawna had the opportunity to attend the 2022 CBIE Conference “Finding Balance” in Toronto from Nov 13-16 and had the chance to connect with colleagues and partners in the sector face-to-face. She attended a number of meaningful workshops on innovative programs that have grown in response to recent challenges in the international education sector over the last few years.  She presented “Bridging the Gaps, Nova Scotia’s Study and Stay™ Programs: Championing International Student Supports in Nova Scotia in a Rapidly Changing Global Environment” with Ashley Pinsent-Tobin from NSCC.


Meeting with StudentsNS

EduNova would like to thank StudentsNS for meeting with our team on November 18th as part of their annual Advocacy Week outreach. We had the opportunity to review their Advocacy Week document – Investing in Our Future: Student Priorities for Nova Scotia Postsecondary, and discuss shared priorities, including the creation of a provincial International Education Strategy. We look forward to continuing the conversation and sharing ideas on investing in student access, supporting student housing, expanding student tenancy education, and of course, supporting and retaining international students.