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2007-08 Report on Giving


Giving to Promote Discovery

Jim Dam certainly didn't think learning Hebrew and Arabic would be part of his university experience as an undergraduate computer science student. But that was before he was chosen to participate in the University of Waterloo-Haifa International Experience Program in Israel. On a 12-month exchange at the University of Haifa, Jim not only developed a competency with each language, but fell in love with a new culture.

Exchange participant, Jim Dam, in Haifa, Israel.

The program, established by Toronto-area business leaders Heather Reisman, founder and CEO of Indigo Books, and Gerry Schwartz, president and CEO of Onex Corp., is helping fulfill two key goals for UW's sixth decade: increasing international opportunities for students and enhancing the undergraduate experience. Strong proponents of furthering Canadian-Israeli relations, Heather and Gerry established this program to spur academic and research exchanges with undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty members from both UW and the University of Haifa.

Before this exchange, Jim had rarely left Ontario. Yet he knew that this experience was more than just a chance to immerse himself in Middle Eastern culture and history; it was an opportunity to develop his skills for the future. "My experiences have strengthened my character," says Jim, "and I believe I'm better equipped for living and working in Canada now, especially in a large corporation with international interests."

International research collaborations are at the core of many faculty members' research, and this program supports faculty who wish to explore those connections with Israeli academics. UW computer science professor Alex Lopez-Ortiz spent three weeks in Haifa last year, meeting research colleagues and giving lectures. One of his four lectures sparked a new research partnership — exactly the kind of outcome the program's founders envisioned. "The visit was very fruitful academically and culturally," says Alex, "and it also helped advance the research of one of my doctoral students."

Alex is one of three faculty members and Jim is one of six students who participated in the exchange last year. UW also hosted several University of Haifa students and faculty, laying strong foundations for future international collaborations, personal connections, and cultural appreciation.