Faculty of Education Professor awarded prestigious conference bursary
The Faculty of Education’s Dr. Robert Mizzi has been selected as one of 10 bursary winners from across the country to attend an exclusive conference in Ottawa this week.
Mizzi, who is an Assistant Professor in the Educational Administration, Foundations & Psychology (EAF&P) department, received a bursary from the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) to attend their national conference, taking place Nov. 19-22.
Each bursary was presented to “new and emerging leaders in the field of international education,” said the CBIE, and will cover the full cost of attending the conference.
“This award acknowledges people who are creating innovative programming in the field of international education but they are also at the starting point of their careers,” says Mizzi.
Mizzi was chosen to be part of the International Network for Tomorrow’s Leaders out of a field of more than 40 applicants from across Canada — all of whom are new professionals in the area of international education.
“The review committee was highly impressed with the quality and breadth of the over 40 bursary applications submitted. Identifying the top 10 was truly a difficult task,” the CBIE committee said in a statement.
The theme of this year’s conference is “The Diplomacy of Knowledge and Our Common Future.” Sessions and speakers will focus on positive relationships forged between countries when education crosses borders.
Mizzi says the conference is a great opportunity to learn new insights, along with “further developing Canada’s role in international education.”
Networking is also key, says Mizzi, “so I can continue to place the field of education on the international map and to position the U of M as an active player in this effort.”
Dr. Dawn Wallin, Associate Dean of Education (Graduate & Professional Programs, and Research) says the Faculty of Education is fortunate to have access to the expertise of individuals such as Dr. Mizzi–especially those who are committed to international education and research, at a time when universities and school systems across Canada are becoming increasingly diverse, and when opportunities for international collaborations are full of possibilities for students, teachers and researchers.
“Dr. Mizzi is already highly involved on campus, and with a number of school systems, in discussions and professional initiatives focusing on international and intercultural education. As a new scholar, he brings a passion to his work that captures the imaginations of others, and he will help lead our Faculty towards exciting innovations in the future.”
Mizzi teaches in areas including globalization and education and his research includes educators who cross borders to work in foreign countries, international and intercultural educational administration, and international and intercultural adult education.
Mizzi is also the Principal Investigator on The ROUTE Project (Research on Understanding Transnational Educators and Implications for Work and Well-Being in Educational Contexts). The ROUTE Project is A UM-funded project that researches teachers working in Canadian schools overseas.