2019 MacJannet Prize Winners

1st place:  University of Sanctuary, University College Cork, Ireland

Established in 2014, this program advocates for and addresses the needs of Asylum Seekers and Refugees. It emerged from university research that showed that current systems enforce penal conditions, isolating people and resulting in serious mental and physical health deterioration. Members of the asylum seeking community are directly involved in governance and management of the program, which has increased access to education for asylum seekers by providing scholarships for degree programs at UCC. Today UCC is an official University of Sanctuary for asylum seekers and refugees in the Cork region. Learn more.

“For the past two decades, many members of our student societies, together with our staff and community partners, have been engaging with local asylum seeker and refugee communities on the challenges they face, and have been bringing the impact of the Irish Direct Provision System to national and international attention. We thank the Talloires Network for recognizing the exceptional student community engagement activities within University College Cork’s University of Sanctuary initiative and we are deeply honored to receive the MacJannet Prize for Global Citizenship.” – Professor Patrick G. O’ Shea, President University College Cork, Ireland

2nd place: Caring Community Centre, International Medical University, Malaysia

Founded in 2016 by a group of doctors and nurses, this partnership with the Kapar community aims to improve family health and education by addressing issues of drug addiction, malnutrition, and poor hygiene. Faculty and students from several schools are involved including dentistry, psychology, and chiropractic. Students play major leadership roles by managing projects and teams, organizing workshops, designing interventions, and participating in medical teams. Learn more.

3rd place: The Graduate Certificate in Wiradjuri Language, Culture and Heritage, Charles Sturt University, Australia

Launched in 2010, this partnership with the Senior Wiradjuri Elders is based upon Yindyamarra (respect) and values the self-determination of the Wiradjuri people on their country, where the university is largely based. The university employs Wiradjuri people to lead and teach within the program. Indigenous and non-indigenous students learn through a self-reflective exploration of Wiradjuri language, heritage and culture and each student is required to negotiate an impactful project that benefits the collective. Learn more.

Honorable Mention: Women in Technology, Effat University, Saudi Arabia

For more than a decade, this program has empowered underprivileged women by improving their employability skills through quality computer literacy and soft skills training. Its hands-on approach has reached more than 250 women, many of whom have secured jobs and expanded their professional networks. Students take part as mentors and managers, providing tutoring sessions and technical support to participants while strengthening their own communication skills and sense of purpose. Learn more.

Honorable Mention: Public Square, Simon Fraser University, Canada

Created in 2012, SFU Public Square fosters university-community knowledge exchange and creates inclusive spaces for dialogue on key public issues. Key staff roles over the years have been filled by SFU students and recent graduates. Each year, the program hosts a 10-day-long Community Summit and thousands of people participate. Recent themes include the new world of work and the proliferation of disinformation. Activities are free to the public and the City of Vancouver is an annual sponsor. Learn more.