UW World University Service of Canada (WUSC) Local Committee

Background: World University Service of Canada (WUSC)

WUSC’s motto is “Education changes the world”. WUSC is an established international development organization based in Ottawa that is working both in Canada and overseas on various activities associated with development and education. www.wusc.ca (Note: WUSC’s new FEDS website is still currently in development).

Student Refugee Program (SRP)

The Student Refugee Program (SRP) is a unique aspect of WUSC’s many programs. Each year WUSC Ottawa organizes the arrival of 50+ students that are sponsored by universities and colleges across Canada through the SRP to come to Canada. These sponsored students begin their lives as new Canadians, adapting to Canada and initiating a post secondary education with the support of university students and staff who volunteer their time to the SRP. The SRP is the only youth supporting youth through academic solidarity program of its kind in the world.

Background: UW WUSC Local Committee

The University of Waterloo’s World University Service of Canada Local Committee (UW WUSC LC) was initiated in November 2005.UW WUSC has club status with the Federation of Students. Students from various faculties at UW volunteer their time to participate in various WUSC related activities including becoming part of the executive that meets regularly. In fall 2009 there is an active executive consisting of ten students, and a Staff Advisor. The student membership in the UW WUSC Club is over 100 members.
Goal of the Student Refugee Program

The goal of the UW WUSC LC is to meaningfully engage students on campus in global issues. Establishing an ongoing Student Refugee Program has been the primary focus of the UW WUSC LC through which participating students, both domestic and international students and the sponsored students can actively engage and make a difference in the lives of others.
How the UW SRP operates

The UW SRP now supports each sponsored student for two full years. At the end of the two year sponsorship period the sponsored student is expected to assume full responsibility for financing the rest of his/her university education. Sponsored students have permanent resident status when they arrive and therefore pay domestic university fees, are eligible to obtain employment immediately, and are eligible to apply for OSAP at the end of the sponsorship period provided they are full time students at that time.

In 2009 and 2010 WUSC executives are working closely with the Federation of Students (FEDS) the body that manages the student levy income, to incorporate the on-going activities of the Student Refugee Program with a focus on how to better manage the flow of finances, to better serve the sponsored students. Participating student executives are looking at ways to pass on their lessons learned, and document the activities that are repeating within the organization from term to term as this relates to the SRP and Club activities. WUSC now has an office in the Student Life Centre, room 3107 third level.

Student Refugee Program Partners at the University of Waterloo

• St. Paul’s United College, residence and meal plan contributions, students living at this college pay a separate levy to support the SRP, currently one sponsored student lives at St. Paul’s
• Conrad Grebel College - residence and meal plan contributions, students living at this college pay a separate levy to support the SRP, providing venue for regular meetings, special events, currently two sponsored students live at Conrad Grebel
• UW senior administration (on-going) – one year tuition waiver for all sponsored students
• Renison English Language Institute (on-going), ESL tuition fee waivers
• UW undergraduate student body(on-going), student levy of $1.00 each time tuition fees are paid by individual students
• Discussions have been initiated with the following potential partner in terms of their future support to the UW SRP:
  • St Jerome’s University College – possible residence and meal plan contributions

Individual updates

This fall marks a milestone for UW WUSC and UWSRP. Not only is this the first year we are sponsoring two students, but also the first time UW has had the privilege to see a female student through the program. UW WUSC welcomes Fernand Havugimana and Saido Sheikh to the University of Waterloo. Saido and Fernand are both currently participating in the Renison English Language Program. Saido has been accepted into the Faculty of Arts, and Fernand has been accepted into the Faculty of Science. Both students are living at Conrad Grebel. Tariku Kebede, UW first sponsored student continues to work towards his Engineering degree, in the Mechatronics Co-op Program. Yueu Majok continues to lives at St. Paul’s and is working towards a degree in Geography.

Key events in 2009/ Upcoming Events

Webinar: Vocational Training of Women in Afghanistan
September 30th, 6pm
Introduction to WUSC followed by a webinar on the topic of vocational training for women in Afghanistan

Reverse Trick-or-Treat
October 26th, 7pm
Raised awareness about fair trade while distributing fair trade chocolate to Waterloo students.

WUSC Annual General Assembly
November 13th-15th
Sponsored students, UW students; WUSC executive and interested students, staff members, FEDS representatives head to Ottawa for the WUSC Annual General Assembly

UW WUSC Stakeholders Meeting
November 18th, 3:00-4:30pm
Presentation to stakeholders regarding UW WUSC local committee and its performance over the last year

International Education Week: Presentation by Tariku Kebede and Yueu Majok
November 19th, 7-8pm
Introduction to WUSC and the Student Refugee Program followed by a presentation regarding life in a refugee camp by Tariku and Yueu, both sponsored students.

WUSC Pot-luck dinner with Dean of Arts and Friends
November 26th, 5:00pm
Together UW WUSC and WUSC Laurier are hosting a pot-luck dinner for the sponsored students, inviting all partners, friends and interested students to join. Location to be determined: tentatively the Laurier Lutheran Student House on Albert St.

Shine the Light: An activity to put the spotlight on educating young women in Africa.
Ongoing throughout fall 2009 and winter 2010 terms

Winter 2010 term
Lug – Mug
Shine A Light
Symposium: Millennial Development Goals Seminar