Federal Budget 2016: Investment in global research networks boosts Canadian innovation

Ottawa, ON — The Government of Canada’s budget today announced an additional investment of $14 million over two years to support 825 international research internships and fellowships annually for university students through the Mitacs Globalink program.

Mitacs promotes collaboration between international and Canadian researchers in academia and the private sector. During the past year, Mitacs signed new and extended bilateral agreements with Australia, Brazil, Germany, Japan, Mexico, and Tunisia — in addition to working with China, France, India, and Saudi Arabia.

Mitacs Globalink provides research internships to senior undergraduate and graduate students from Canadian universities to work in countries around the world in order to build and strengthen international research connections. Students refine their research skills in new environments, gain cultural fluency, and expand their professional networks.

This budget commitment also funds international undergraduate students in Canada for research internships at universities across the country. Mitacs Globalink — which has been running for seven years — creates pathways for the best-and-brightest researchers and innovators to come to Canada for world-class research and study.  

Impact

The impact of Mitacs Globalink was recently highlighted in a longitudinal survey. As a result of their internship with Mitacs, former students overwhelmingly report that the Globalink program provided career development and ongoing collaboration opportunities:

• 91 percent of interns currently studying in Canada said their participation in the program convinced them, or reinforced their decision, to pursue additional studies in Canada;
• 71 percent of interns strongly felt their experience has had or will have, a significant impact on their careers; and
• 70 percent of interns enrolled in a new degree in Canada have applied or will apply for permanent residency.

Quotes:

Alejandro Adem, CEO and Scientific Director, Mitacs

“For Canada to be a globally competitive country, we must ensure that tomorrow’s leaders have a strong understanding of international research and innovation. Providing university researchers with international and industrial experience today — as we do through Mitacs Globalink —leads to the creation of global innovation networks and cutting-edge companies in the future.”

Wanyao Zhao, former Mitacs Globalink intern, University of Toronto

“I knew I made the right decision by coming back to Ontario for my Master’s. The research opportunities, hands-on faculty instruction, and top-notch laboratory facilities are second to none.”

Quick facts:

• Mitacs is a national not-for-profit organization led by Canadian universities that has designed and delivered research and training programs in Canada for more than 15 years.
• Working with 60 universities, thousands of companies, and both federal and provincial governments, Mitacs builds partnerships that support industrial and social innovation in Canada.
• Since 2009, Mitacs has matched over 1,750 international senior undergraduates with Canadian faculty through its Globalink initiative.

Links:

For information about Mitacs and our programs, see mitacs.ca/newsroom.

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