Snapshot of York University Engagement by Strategic Regions
Globally Networked Learning (GNL)
(GNL) refers to an approach to research, learning, and teaching that enables students, faculty, and non-academic researchers from different locations around the world to participate in, and collaborate on, knowledge-making processes and concrete research projects.
- GNL at York University began in 2010.
- Helps to facilitate project collaboration through inclusion to produce a richer, more nuanced, understanding of the issue(s) at hand.
- Involves various forms of technology to bridge distances.
- A GNL project might entail or produce cross-cultural discussion on a particular course concept, a joint lecture over multiple time zones, a shared assignment, or a collaborative research project, among other possibilities.
- GNL can create rich cultural connections by designing a learning environment that engages students locally and internationally in conversations with the goal of advancing collaboratively the latest thinking on global issues.
York's Commitment to Sustainable Development
York University's University Academic Plan: Building A Better Future 2020-2025 commits the university to deepen our collective contributions to the United Nations’ seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). York's strengths and focus on equity, social justice, human rights, international affairs, health, climate change and sustainable development earns York
York is a proud contributor towards Canada's national Voluntary National Review of SDG progress and was highlighted in 2023 for its progress towards black and indigenous inclusion and EDI policies.
York University is ranked in the Top 40 universities globally in 2024 for contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals by the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Ranking. York consistently ranks in the top 6% of global higher education institutions in the THE Impact Ranking, and consistently ranks highly in individual SDG rankings:
- SDG 1 - No Poverty (21st in the world / 7th in Canada)
- SDG 10 - Reduced Inequalities (25th in the world / 2nd in Canada)
- SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities (12th in the world / 4th in Canada)
- SDG 16 - Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions (54th in the world / 7th in Canada)
- SDG 17 - Partnerships for the Goals (67th in the world / 10th in Canada)
Shopify-York Collaboration
- A new partnership that reflects the future of experiential learning brings an innovative model of education to York University this fall.
- York University’s Lassonde School of Engineering is partnering with Canadian commerce company Shopify, to bring a visionary education opportunity called Dev Degree to the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) for the first time.
- The unique program embeds students directly into development teams at Shopify through a paid internship that culminates with a unique honours bachelor of computer science (BSc Hons.) degree. Shopify also pays the students’ tuition for the full four-year program.