How to build a better international mobility program: QES-AS case study
International mobility experiences equip youth and researchers with the 21st century skills they need to adjust to the shifting nature of work, including problem-solving, adaptability, collaboration and communication with people from diverse backgrounds.
How can we build responsive international mobility programs that help participants and institutions tackle complex challenges and thrive in a rapidly changing world?
With the support of the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Universities Canada is conducting a longitudinal research project to assess the impact of international mobility programs and share best practices. Using the Queen Elizabeth Scholars – Advanced Scholars (QES-AS) program as a case study, this research project will draw on the experiences of the participating scholars and institutions to explore how the program impacts individuals, organizations and communities.
Goals of the case study
Universities Canada will examine the implementation and outcomes of the program by:
- Studying scholars’ development of their skills, global competencies, career paths, networking and community involvement
- Evaluating the benefits for stakeholders
- Studying the design and implementation of gender-sensitive, equitable and inclusive international scholarship programming
Preliminary research results will help inform the ongoing Queen Elizabeth Scholars program. The findings will also be shared with other scholarship administrators to help improve the design and implementation of international mobility programs.
QES-AS Program at a glance
Universities Canada, in partnership with the Rideau Hall Foundation and Community Foundations of Canada, has initiated a second phase of the Queen Elizabeth Scholars program with the aim of developing solutions to complex national and global challenges. This second phase of the program invests in doctoral and post-doctoral researchers, and early career researchers from Canada and low and middle income countries.
With generous funding from IDRC and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, 21 Canadian universities that will support an anticipated 400 scholars, and multiple Canadian and international institutions will participate in the program between 2017 and 2021.
Argentina, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Cote D’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guatemala, Haiti, India, Iran, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mexico, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Uganda, Viet Nam, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Case study participants: by the numbers
Scholars by gender
Female: 49.5%
Male: 50.5%
Scholars by level of research
Doctoral: 49.5%
Post-doctoral: 26.2%
Early-career researcher: 24.3%
Canadian versus international scholars
International scholars: 15.8%
Canadian scholars: 84.2%
Our researchers are focusing on these eight areas
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Agriculture and food security
Agriculture and food security
QES-AS researchers are working with their peers from other countries in finding innovative solutions to enhance food security, incomes, and nutrition that benefit small-scale farmers and their families.
For more information visit the International Development Research Centre website >>
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Climate change
Climate change
QES-AS researchers are focusing on innovative solutions that will help vulnerable people and communities adapt to climate change.
For more information visit the International Development Research Centre website >>
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Employment and growth
Employment and growth
QES-AS researchers are looking at ways to increase employment and economic opportunities for women and youth.
For more information visit the International Development Research Centre website >>
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Food, environment and health
Food, environment and health
QES-AS researchers are working on policies and innovations to improve health, build healthier food systems and prevent non-communicable and infectious diseases.
For more information visit the International Development Research Centre website >>
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Foundations for innovation
Foundations for innovation
QES-AS scholars are contributing towards strengthening developing countries skills and institutions in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
For more information visit the International Development Research Centre website >>
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Governance and justice
Governance and justice
QES-AS scholars are contributing towards fostering better governance and justice systems so people can lead more secure and prosperous lives.
For more information visit the International Development Research Centre website >>
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Maternal and child health
Maternal and child health
QES-AS researchers are undertaking research that gives mothers and their children better futures through access to quality health care.
For more information visit the International Development Research Centre website >>
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Networked economies
Networked economies
QES-AS scholars are mobilizing technology to create economic opportunities and advance democracy.
For more information visit the International Development Research Centre website >>
Resources
- Scholarship Program Research Network (SPRN) LinkedIn Group and Google drive SPRN resources and Zotero SPRN resources
- Leveraging Higher Education to Promote Social Justice: Evidence from the IFP Alumni Tracking Study, Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program, Alumni Tracking Study Report No. 5, March 2019
- Measuring Success?, A blog series by the Association for Commonwealth Universities
- A study of research methodology used in evaluations of international scholarship schemes for higher education, Commonwealth Scholarship Commission in the UK, 2014
- North-South mobility in Canada’s universities, Dr. Rebecca Tiessen and Dr. Kate Grantham for Universities Canada, January 2018
- , A holistic model for ethical mobility programs, Robert Gough, Pamela Roy, & Farzana Karim-Haji, 2018
- Putting knowledge to work: Collaborating, influencing and learning for international development, edited by Luc Mougeot, 2017
- International scholarships in higher education: Pathways to social change, edited by Joan R. Dassin, Robin R. Marsh, and Matt Mawer