Nominations for 2013 International Student Excellence Awards

Published April 21, 2013

by iris_author

 

International Student Excellence Awards

The City of Toronto recognizes the significant contribution that the international students make to its economic and socio-cultural development. The City wishes to enhance their positive experience and to celebrate their presence here. To fulfill this vision, the City in collaboration with the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU), partner academic institutions, Greater Toronto Airport Authority (GTAA) and corporate sponsors is organizing an International Students Festival on September 28, 2013 at David Pecaut Square (at Metro Hall), 55 John Street, Toronto. The festival is expected to be attended by international students, their families and friends, institutional staff, foreign dignitaries and others. The Presidents of the partner universities and colleges and Ambassadors/High Commissioners/Consul-Generals of the top 20 countries which are the source of the most international students will also been invited to the event.

 

On the occasion of the festival, six outstanding international students will be recognized and presented with Toronto Excellence Awards. The presentation of awards is an acknowledgement of the significant contribution these students make in diverse fields. Each Excellence Award winner will receive a Certificate, a gift and $500 cheque.

 

Award Categories

1. Community Services
2. Entrepreneurship
3. Academic Excellence
4. Sports
5. Arts & Culture
6. Professional Achievement

 

Award Category	Qualifications/Criteria
Community Services	A current student or a student who has graduated in the past one year Significant contribution to community services while maintaining academic excellence Examples of community services include, but not restricted to: raising funds for disaster relief; drive to procure materials for food bank; outreach and help to communities in need Community services undertaken both in Canada and abroad during the period of study are eligible for consideration
Entrepreneurship	A current student or a student who has graduated in the past one year Contribution to entrepreneurial efforts or business development Examples of entrepreneurial activities will include, but not restricted to: setting up a new enterprise, start-up or a business; providing significant help in growing an existing business enterprise; activities that resulted in employment generation. Entrepreneurial activities undertaken both in Canada and abroad during the period of study are eligible for consideration.
Academic Excellence	A current student or a student who has graduated in the past one year Achieving and maintaining high level of academic performance Examples of academic excellence will include, but not restricted to: consistent high level of academic grades, developing award winning projects, publications, research work Academic achievements both in Canada and abroad during the period of study are eligible for consideration.
Sports	A current student or a student who has graduated in the past one year Contribution to athletics and sports Examples of excellence in sports will include, but not restricted to: winning top places in sports competitions, promotion and creating awareness about sports among youth, coaching winning individuals and teams. Achievements in sports both in Canada and abroad during the period of study are eligible for consideration.
Arts & Culture	A current student or a student who has graduated in the past one year Contribution to arts and culture fields. Examples of arts and culture activities will include, but not restricted to: contribution to visual arts such as painting, sculpture, photography; performing arts such as music, theatre, film, dance; promoting cultural integration. Art and cultural activities undertaken both in Canada and abroad during the period of study are eligible for consideration.
Professional Achievement	An international student who came to study in one of the partner academic post-secondary institutions and then decided to settle and work here on completion of one year after studies. Highly successful in the chosen profession or business or any other area Examples of success will include, but not restricted to: reaching to top or near top level in a chosen profession; established or helped in establishing a medium or large enterprise; has become a publicly-know personality by virtue of devotion to particular cause; high level of research achievement.

 

Award nominations

• The partner universities and colleges are invited to nominate potential candidates in each category. The academic institutions are expected to follow their own plan of action regarding circulation of this notification within their institutions; and for internal nomination consultations, e.g., consultations with faculty, staff, student unions, alumni associations, etc.
• Maximum number of nominations per institution should not exceed three in each category.
• Deadline to submit nominations: Monday, July 01, 2013.
• The nominations should reach on or before the deadline to Jagdish Yadav either:

1. via email at: jyadav@toronto.ca

or

b. by mail to:

Jagdish Yadav

Senior Advisor – Education

Economic Development & Culture Division

City Hall, East Tower, 9th Floor

100 Queen Street West

Toronto, Ontario M5H 2N2

 

Contents of Nomination Package

The nominations should include the following:

1. Name of nominee
2. Academic institution
3. Nominee’s short bio not exceeding 200 words
4. Country of origin and number of years in Canada
5. Educational qualifications including any specific academic recognition such as Dean's Honours list, highest marks, first rank in a project, etc.
6. Initiatives undertaken individually or as member of a group
7. Distinguished achievements in the chosen field
8. Recommendations, if any.
9. Any other significant information that is not covered in points 1 to 7 above.

 

Selection Process

The nominations will be reviewed by a selection panel to choose the winners and honourable mentions in each category. The selection panel will consist of three members. For ethical reasons, none of the members of the selection panel will be from a nominating institution. The selection panel is expected to review the nominations and choose the award winners in the second week of July 2013.

 

Award Presentation

The awards will be presented at the International Students Festival which is being organized on September 28, 2013 in Toronto.

 

 

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