A major federal investment is set to open new doors across the Indo-Pacific for University of Calgary graduate students tackling urban sustainability. Backed by more than $500,000 from Global Affairs Canada, a newly funded initiative will launch fresh opportunities for research, mobility and hands-on learning in Australia, Singapore and Malaysia.
The Indo-Pacific Graduate Scholarships in Urban Sustainable and Regenerative Development will support a three-year graduate training program delivered in partnership with UCalgary's Strategic Alliance partner, Curtin University. Each year, a cohort of graduate students will take part in an intensive Indo-Pacific immersion focused on transdisciplinary approaches to sustainable and regenerative development. Their experience includes one week at Curtin University in Australia, followed by two weeks at Curtin Singapore and another two weeks at Curtin Malaysia, giving students first-hand exposure to diverse regional contexts and sustainability challenges.
"Leading this Indo-Pacific initiative reflects the Faculty of Science's commitment to preparing graduate students to confront the world's most pressing sustainability challenges," says Science Dean Kristin Baetz. "By embedding our researchers directly in diverse global contexts, we're equipping them with the comparative insights, transdisciplinary thinking and international partnerships needed to drive meaningful, long-term impact."
Regenerative development builds upon sustainable development to create urban environments that are able to self-renew to further improve and benefit the future systems of water, food, energy, waste and mobility.
Transforming how students approach sustainability
"The Indo-Pacific Scholarships program funding offers an incredible opportunity for Canadian scholars to engage in on-the-ground transdisciplinary research related to sustainability and regenerative systems," says Dr. Teri Balser, PhD, professor in the Faculty of Science and project co-lead.
"Sustainability work is too often approached through a somewhat 'disciplinarily traditional' lens. The problems we face globally, however, don't fit neatly into disciplinary boxes. This program will offer participants the opportunity to tackle the biggest challenges in sustainable development learning from and with others across faculty and disciplinary lines and transform the global conversation from one about sustainable urban systems to one about urban systems that are truly regenerative."
A total of 35 graduate students will participate over the life of the program, each receiving $10,000 to support travel, accommodation, meals, and related expenses. Each cohort will be accompanied by two UCalgary faculty supervisors.
Strengthening Canada's engagement in the region
Leaders from UCalgary and Curtin University gather at Curtin Singapore to advance Indo-Pacific collaboration. From left: Carolyn Koh (Curtin), Alex Stojcevski (Curtin), Kristin Baetz (UCalgary), Buffy St-Amand (UCalgary) and Arun Patil (Curtin). Photo Courtesy Buffy St-Amand
"At a time when cities worldwide are grappling with climate change, rapid urbanization, and social equity, this kind of comparative, on-the-ground training is essential for developing solutions that are both innovative and contextually appropriate," says co-lead Dr. Joseli Macedo, PhD professor in UCalgary's School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape. "Our partnership with Curtin University, a top 15 Australian university with campuses all around the Indian Ocean rim, offers a solid foundation on which to build a meaningful cross-border partnership.
"Students receiving this funding will be able to experience first-hand how different cities approach sustainable design, to research sustainable alternatives for cities in different contexts, and to actively contribute to solving current urban challenges to achieve regenerative development."
Upon returning to Canada, student teams will finalize and publish their project work building new knowledge in sustainable and regenerative development and strengthening Canada's academic engagement across the Indo-Pacific.
"This program is a powerful demonstration of what long-term, strategic international partnerships can achieve," says Buffy St-Amand, senior director, International. "Our alliance with Curtin University continues to deepen in ways that create meaningful, real-world learning opportunities for students, opening doors for graduate researchers to engage directly with some of the most dynamic regions in the Indo-Pacific.
"These initiatives also align closely with UCalgary's institutional strategic plan to increase impactful, future-focused education; harness the power of research and innovation to tackle society's biggest challenges; and place community at the centre of all we do advancing our commitment to global leadership in research, education and community impact."
Ultimately, these collaborations ensure that UCalgary students gain the global perspectives and research experience needed to lead in an increasingly interconnected world.
In 2022, UCalgary formally launched a three-way strategic alliance with the University of Aberdeen (Scotland) and Curtin University (Australia). This alliance continues to strengthen the global presence of all three institutions, enabling them to leverage each other's networks and strengths and provide students with diverse global opportunities. It also fosters collaboration on impactful research aimed at addressing complex global challenges.
