Special Projects
Conference on the importance of volunteerism, by Aliya-Jasmine Sovani (MTV)
The Experiential Learning Service invited a special guest in October: Aliya-Jasmine Sovani, alumni in communications at uOttawa, and host and segment producer for MTV, gave a conference on the importance of volunteering.
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9th International Research Conference on Service-learning and Community Engagement
270 people from more than 15 countries were gathered at the 9th International Research Conference on Service-learning and Community Engagement, organized by the Experiential Learning Service of the University of Ottawa. Prizes were awarded during the President’s Reception.
Jeff Keshen, Manager of the Experiential Learning Service, addresses more than 500 attendees from more than 15 countries gathered at the President's Reception of the 9th International Research Conference on Service-learning and Community Engagement, organized by the Experiential Learning Service of the University of Ottawa.
Vilma Luna, Coordinator at The Lowertown Community Resource Centre, and Maryse Côté-Singer, President of Maison d’Amitié, receive cheques of $1,000 each from Dr. Tim Brodhead, President and CEO of the J.W. McConnell Family Foundation.
University of Ottawa Chancellor, Hugette Labelle, addresses delegates and students attending the President’s Reception.
University of Ottawa President and Vice-Chancellor, Allan Rock, introduces keynote speaker Stephen Lewis.
Stephen Lewis, Canada's former Ambassador to the United Nations and the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa, speaks on the importance of community involvement and international development.
Carolyn Nakayenga of the Ugandan based Canhave Children’s Centre, and Jessica Pasho, inaugual recipient of the Gilles G. Patry student engasgement award present cheques of $2,500 each to Stephen Lewis, CEO of the Stephen Lewis Foundation and to Allan Rock, Chair of the Uganda Fund.
Back to topThe Belem Project
As a community-based research initiative, the ELS helped underwrite costs regarding the extension of studies of eleven Social Science students working in International Development under Professor Marie-Josée Massicotte, thus enabling them to attend the World Social Forum (WSF) held in January 2009, in Belem, Brazil. Along with these University of Ottawa students, the delegation also included Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) students and Université de Montréal (UdeM) students.
Back to topThe International Chinese Speech Contest
Thanks to ELS volunteer opportunities, James Ryan honed his Chinese language skills, which earned him an award for excellence during a national speech contest held at McGill University. From July 28 to August 8 2009, he will be travelling to Beijing and Hunan as a Chinese government guest and an International Chinese Speech Contest participant. Moreover, Professor Sheri Zhang’s other students have volunteered to teach Chinese to Canada’s Olympic Committee members in preparation for their trip to Beijing and to do translation work for the Society for Educational Visits and Exchanges in Canada (SEVEC) in the Winter of 2008, as well as to the Ottawa Youth Orchestra in preparation for their benefit performance in China in July 2008, in remembrance of the May 2008 Sichuan earthquake victims.
The 777 Challenge... Just Run With It!
How would you feel about running 7 marathons in 7 weeks on 7 continents? Knowing the road that lies ahead, Tasha, an 18 year old Ottawa U student, is training hard for the 777 Challenge that will be held in 2010. Hungry to break a world record by running 295.4 km under the 777 Challenge conditions, Tasha will be representing Canada in Hope Runs’ global mutual aid initiative to sensitize the world to health and poverty issues. Follow Tasha’s inspirational journey and show your support by reading her blog or donating to the non-profit NGO Hope Runs.
Back to topCommunity Health Practicum in Northern Ontario
Every year, the Experiential Learning sends a team of students from Health Sciences to Northern Ontario to experience community health and health promotion first-hand.
Students are paired with community health care specialists from Le Centre de santé communautaire du Temiskaming, and participate in building health programs and activities aimed primarily at youth and the elderly.
This unique and highly rewarding learning experience is made possible year after year thanks to generous support from the J.W. McConnell Family Foundation, the Consortium national de formation en santé, the Faculty of Health Sciences, the Centre de santé communautaire du Temiskaming, and the Association canadienne-française de l’Ontario, région Temiskaming.
"The students greatly contributed to the CSCT’s programs … The CSCT wishes to thank the University of Ottawa for its invitation to participate in this enriching activity. Even more importantly, we wish to extend warm thanks to all the students who brought with them a great dose of energy, with which they in turn infused our community."
– Jocelyne Maxwell, Director, Centre de santé communautaire du Temiskaming
Science Travels
The Experiential Learning Service is proud to partner with Science Travels. The primary goal of this project is to enhance the experiences of youth in northern Ontario in the areas of science and technology. The program is designed to share the knowledge, expertise and enthusiasm of university science graduate students with youth in remote and aboriginal communities in northern Ontario. The program provides these youth with new, fascinating and interactive experiences in all areas of science, including biology, physics, chemistry, engineering, medicine, health sciences and technology. To learn more, visit the Science Travels website.
Back to topDeveloping a Global Perspective for Educators
On the morning of April 27th 2008, an international community service learning team co-sponsored by the Community Service Learning Program and Developing a Global Perspective for Educators left the University of Ottawa for Raceland Louisiana to work for a week with the United Houma Nation, the largest Franco-indigenous community in the "American South."
Students worked on two projects: to volunteer at the United Houma Nation food booth at the New Orleans Jazz Festival (to raise money for Houma social services), and to publish what they learned about Houma experiences with colonization, institutionalized racial segregation, daily realities after hurricanes Katrina and Rita, their ongoing petition for federal recognition, and (also in radio podcasts), future aspirations for Houma youth.
Back to topInternational Conference of Women Engineers and Scientists, by Breton Niddery
As a new masters student, one of the first classes I took was called Gender, Education and the Professions in Canada, which was taught by professor Ruby Heap. She gave us the option of writing our research papers on an extraordinary Canadian female engineer and this would be part of the Community Service Learning (CSL) program. I decided to volunteer and wrote my essay on Ursula Franklin. As part of my volunteer work I also worked on a historical paper about the history of ICWES (International Conference of Women Engineers and Scientists) which would be placed on their website. The opportunity arose to present this paper at their next conference and I quickly jumped at the chance.
The 14th ICWES conference was held in Lille, France this past July. There, I presented my paper in front of an international audience. At the conference, I was able to meet some of the women I had read about in my research and actually take part in the conference which I had studied. This was a great experience for me personally and as a masters student. It was challenging, interesting and fun. And I am very grateful for the opportunity and support from the Community Service Learning program, the university and my professor.
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