The transformational work being done by volunteers with Academics Without Borders (AWB) is the focus of an upcoming event for the Queen’s community, co-hosted by the Centre for Teaching and Learning and the Office of the Associate-Vice Principal (International).

Steven Davis, a professor emeritus of philosophy at Simon Fraser and Carleton universities and the executive director of AWB, will be on campus on May 12 to talk about the Canadian organization’s work to build capacity in higher education in developing countries.

“Queen’s is delighted to welcome Professor Davis and to have the opportunity to hear about the projects that AWB has underway around the world,” says Kathy O’Brien, Associate Vice-Principal (International). “The organization’s volunteers are doing important work to advance education in support of the overall development of its host countries.”

AWB is a Canadian non-governmental organization that leverages the expertise of faculty and staff volunteers to respond to the needs of host countries and institutions. Volunteers participate in short- or long-term projects that can have a significant impact on the institutions and their students.

“There is a tremendous amount of expertise and experience at Queen’s that could be of great benefit to AWB and the institutions with which it works. I encourage anyone interested to attend this event and learn about ways we can make a positive impact at developing universities.”

- Peter Wolf, Associate Vice-Provost (Teaching and Learning) and Director of the Centre for Teaching and Learning.

“There is a tremendous amount of expertise and experience at Queen’s that could be of great benefit to AWB and the institutions with which it works,” says Peter Wolf, Associate Vice-Provost (Teaching and Learning) and Director of the Centre for Teaching and Learning. “I encourage anyone interested to attend this event and learn about ways we can make a positive impact at developing universities.”

AWB’s past projects include working with the University of Cape Coast in Ghana to examine the feasibility of a graduate program in computer science, which would be a first in Ghana. Volunteers spent two weeks at the university and recommended a process for creating a graduate program that would proceed in three stages. Another project saw an AWB volunteer spend a year at the State Islamic University in Indonesia, the first in that country to provide services for students with disabilities, working to help the university increase awareness of inclusive education.

Professor Davis will talk about academic volunteering in the developing world on Tuesday, May 12, 3 - 4 pm in Mackintosh-Corry, B176 Lecture Theatre.