Who are we?
The World University Service of Canada (WUSC) is a national organization that emphasizes the importance of education in constructing a more equitable world. With over 50 chapters in universities and colleges across the country, WUSC generates cross-cultural understanding and cooperation through a number of various initiatives. At the forefront of WUSC’s agenda is the Student Refugee Program (SRP) which sponsors approximately forty students each year to study in Canada. With funds from the AMS, student fees and other sources the UBC WUSC committee is able to sponsor up to four students each year. Most of these students come from East Africa a, bringing with them a sound academic record and an even stronger commitment to social responsibility.
Check out our Blog
Wanna know more about all the fun we've been having since 2006? Go to our blog at www.ubcwusc.blogspot.com to check out our photos and commentary of all the events and programs we've been involved with like: our refugee speaker series, community dinners, the Gulu Walk, World AIDS Day, and much much more...
What do WUSC local committees like ours do?
#1. We Sponsor a refugees..
We help create a new future for a student whose education has been interrupted by conflict in their country of origin through WUSC’s flagship Student Refugee Program (SRP). Since 1978, the program has enabled over 1000 young refugees to resettle in Canada as permanent residents and pursue their post-secondary education. Coming from diverse countries of origin, most successfully complete their studies, become active Canadian citizens, and make valuable contributions to their communities. WUSC Local Committees are critical to the success of the SRP: each year, groups on campuses across the country sponsor over 50 new student refugees through the program.
#2 We Educate & Advocate...
Our peers and communities about refugee and development issues.
#3. We provide overseas learning initiatives for Canadian students
Because hands-on education can be the most powerful, WUSC offers students a chance to learn overseas
through the Students Without Borders™ (SWB) initiative, and Uniterra’s annual International Seminar.
Students Without Borders™ – SWB offers university and college students exciting volunteer
placements in developing countries during an academic term. It’s a great opportunity to gain inter-
national perspective, work experience, and possibly academic credit.
International Seminar – Since 1948, students have participated in WUSC’s annual International
Seminar. Currently offered through Uniterra, each summer the seminar enables 20 Canadian stu-
dents to join 20 students from the global South for six weeks of research and learning in a develop-
ing country. Local Committees can nominate participants each year.