THE UBC MCF SCHOLARS PROGRAM
The University of British Columbia (UBC) is a global centre for research and teaching, consistently ranked among the best universities in the world. UBC’s vision is to create an exceptional learning environment that fosters global citizenship, advances a civil and sustainable society, and supports outstanding research to serve the people of British Columbia, Canada, and the world.
The Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program at UBC will take place over a ten-year period with a total of 112 Mastercard Foundation Scholars, including 77 undergraduate and 35 masters students.
Beginning with five undergraduate students in 2013, at the height of the program in 2018 UBC will have more than 70 Mastercard Foundation Scholars on its Vancouver campus. In addition to their curricula engagement, the scholars will be mentored, engaged in leadership capacity building, participate in local and international community service learning, and take up summer internships in Africa to foster their interest and capacity to return to Africa to give back to their communities.
Reflecting UBC’s strategic commitment to supporting international students, the Mastercard Scholars will benefit from academic and social support programs such as Jump Start, programs focused on student wellbeing and personal development, while benefiting from the direct support of a newly created program director and a full range of academic success programs.
Professor Stephen J Toope
Former UBC President and Vice-Chancellor
THE UBC MCF PROGRAM TEAM
Tom Ross
Jolanta Lekich
Jolanta (Jola) Lekich is the Program Director, Global Campus Initiatives at the University of British Columbia. She has an MA in Curriculum, Teaching and Learning from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto and a BA in International Relations from the University of British Columbia. Jola provides strategic leadership and direction for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program as well as the Simon K.Y. Lee Global Lounge and Resource Centre, a hub for globally-focused student organizations on campus. Jola has worked with students in the areas of facilitation, ethical engagement, conflict resolution, volunteer retention and grant writing. With over ten years of experience in international education, Jola has taught, coached and advised international students as an International Student Advisor and ESL Instructor, both at UBC and at Langara College.