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MRU and Commonwealth Sport Canada awarded funding for international work experiences through Queen Elizabeth II Scholarship Program

Oct. 23, 2023

Renewed funding for Mount Royal University through the Queen Elizabeth II Scholarship Program announced today (or date) will support Health and Physical Education students taking part in practicums through Commonwealth Sport Canada’s SportWORKS program.

The Rideau Hall Foundation (RHF) and Universities Canada announced the winners of the 2024 Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Scholarship program (QES) call for proposals. $1.6 million in new program funding will support 133 students at six universities, with the aim of developing the next generation of innovative leaders and community builders.

For 30 years Commonwealth Sport Canada (CSC) has integrated sport development and sport for development programming to promote individual and community social development, and build national sport system capacity, throughout the Commonwealth. Since that time CSC has supported over 125 local sport projects that have impacted more than two million youth in over 30 nations and territories. These initiatives focus on: the empowerment of women and girls, the promotion of gender equity, youth leadership development, HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention, and the building of sport capacity.

Over the years, CSC’s SportWORKS’ programming has been delivered through a variety of initiatives, including  the Queen Elizabeth Scholars Program. For example, in 2022, CSC partnered with the Botswana National Olympic Committee and various National Sport Organizations, in order to develop and implement a Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) Model. Eric Gratton, a senior Health and Physical Education student at Mount Royal, was the Canadian SportWORKS Officer leading the project. In addition to Botswana,  MRU students have undertaken sport for development and sport development placements in Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos, and Rwanda through the program.

The 2024 winning Queen Elizabeth Scholarship project proposals will provide participants with work-integrated learning (e.g. internships, practicums), study and research experiences related to health, education and social and economic development.

Read more about the six winning universities and projects.

The QES program is led by the Rideau Hall Foundation in collaboration with Universities Canada with founding support from Community Foundations of Canada (CFC). Established in 2012, this scholarship has been awarded to more than 2,500 scholars from Canada and across the globe.

Quotes:

"We are thrilled to once again be part of the Queen Elizabeth II Scholars (QES) program. Being awarded the QE scholarship provides funding that will go towards supporting HPED students in completing their practicum in commonwealth countries working/learning in Commonwealth Sport supported programs. These experiences provide an excellent opportunity for students as they combine international experiences with work integrated learning - two key elements of what Mount Royal offers students in health, community and education."

Julie Booke, associate professor and program coordinator, sport and recreation management, Mount Royal University

 

“Commonwealth Sport Canada (CSC) thanks the QES for their support, as well as Mount Royal University for their collaboration in this program. In delivering positive social impact through sport, SportWORKS projects continue to use sport to impact lives and transform communities around the world as we have for three decades.”

Claire Carver-Dias, President, Commonwealth Sport Canada (CSC)

 

“Thanks to this very generous contribution from Community Foundations of Canada in collaboration with the Victor Dahdaleh Foundation, a new cohort of Queen Elizabeth Scholars from across the country and around the world will have the opportunity to develop empathy and a global outlook, explore different perspectives, and share ideas. All of which are more important than ever in navigating the complexities of today’s world. We are excited to support them on their journey and to see the critical impact of their work abroad,”

Teresa Marques, President and CEO of the Rideau Hall Foundation.

“Global experiences provided through the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship program have helped develop community leaders for nearly a decade, and I’m pleased to see another group of students given an opportunity to lead in 2024,”

Philip Landon, interim President and CEO of Universities Canada.

 

For further information, please contact:

Peter Glenn, Senior Media Relations Officer
403.463.6930
mediarelations@mtroyal.ca