March 7, 2018 (Waterloo, ON) – Wilfrid Laurier University, the University of Waterloo and the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) have signed a 10-year funding agreement renewal for the Balsillie School of International Affairs (BSIA). The school, located on the CIGI Campus in uptown Waterloo, houses graduate programs offered by both Laurier and the University of Waterloo in international affairs and global governance.
The extension comes after an initial 10-year agreement between the three institutions in 2007. The school is a testament to the vision and leadership of Jim Balsillie, former co-CEO of BlackBerry, who originally made a $33-million investment to establish the school.
“The Balsillie School has made enormous progress in its first 10 years in establishing itself as one of Canada's leading schools of international affairs,” said John Ravenhill, director of the BSIA. “I'm delighted that the three partners in the school have now provided a strong foundation for the school's further development in the next decade.”
The school's unique partnership between a think tank focused on global governance and two universities known for innovation in research, teaching excellence and the student experience, provides unparalleled opportunities for collaboration among faculty, students and policy practitioners.
“Laurier is fully committed to building on the tremendous success of the past decade in enhancing the impact of our graduate programs, our research excellence and meaningful knowledge mobilization, and outreach through these kind of strong partnerships,” said Robert Gordon, vice-president: research and acting provost at Laurier as well as chair of the BSIA Board.
“Internationalization and research are pillars of our institution and this partnership is directly in line with our values,” said George Dixon, acting provost at the University of Waterloo. “We are pleased this partnership will continue and look forward to the benefits it will continue to bring to our students, our community and the country as a whole.”
“In only 10 years, the Balsillie School has been able to establish itself as one of the premier institutions for graduate education and research in international affairs in Canada,” said Aaron Shull, managing director and general counsel of CIGI. “We are pleased to continue this important endeavor with our partner organizations and look forward to building on a strong foundation.”
The BSIA partnership renewal incorporates operational, student support and physical location considerations that will support continued growth of the school.
A 10th anniversary celebration for the school will be planned for the fall.
The BSIA has more than 60 affiliated faculty members who are globally renowned scholars in the fields of political science, history, business, philosophy and environmental studies, and are enhancing public policy development in Canada and around the world. The BSIA offers four degree programs between Laurier and Waterloo: a Master in International Public Policy (MIPP), a Master of Arts in Global Governance (MAGG), a MBA/MIPP double degree, and a PhD in Global Governance.
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About the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI)
The Centre for International Governance Innovation is an independent, non-partisan think tank with an objective and uniquely global perspective. Our research, opinions and public voice make a difference in today’s world by bringing clarity and innovative thinking to global policy making. By working across disciplines and in partnership with the best peers and experts, we are the benchmark for influential research and trusted analysis.