Inaugural North Star Award presented to UOIT’s Abu Arif

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA – The Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) has recognized Abu Arif of the University of Ontario Institute of Technology’s (UOIT) Office of Student Life with its first-ever North Star Award. The distinction was presented to Arif at the CBIE’s 47^th Annual Conference in Vancouver, British Columbia.

New for 2013, the CBIE’s North Star Award is presented to a new professional who has shown extraordinary promise in the field of international education. Arif has been an International Student Advisor at UOIT since April 2011.

“All of us at UOIT are extremely proud of Arif for receiving this national honour,” said Olivia Petrie, UOIT Assistant Vice-President, Student Life. “Arif’s award brings great distinction to our university, and represents the hard work of the entire team within the Student Life office, the Registrar’s office and UOIT International. His personal dedication sets a great example for others. He works tirelessly to help ensure our students make a smooth transition to our university community and have the support they need to be successful.”

Arif came to Canada as an international student. Before joining UOIT, he worked at the University of British Columbia (Okanagan Campus), and volunteered with the Autumn Foundation, an environmental stewardship organization in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Arif has also worked at the University of Victoria and University of Windsor. He is the founding chair of CBIE’s International Network of Tomorrow’s Leaders (INTL) working group.

“Success and accolades are not for individuals – they are the final result of very good teamwork,” said Arif. “I share this award with each and every member of our UOIT community.”

Thirteen awards were presented to CBIE members and colleagues at the 2013 Excellence Awards, which showcased innovators, leaders, services professionals and emerging stars in the field who demonstrate a deep commitment to advancing the ideals of the profession.

“I am delighted to join with members and partners in celebrating the achievements, dynamism and dedication of these extraordinary people and the brilliant programs they have devised,” said Karen McBride, President and CEO of CBIE. “Their contributions help advance our collective internationalization goals and provide models that we can emulate in support of our own objectives.”

CBIE is a national organization dedicated to making Canada a global leader in international education. CBIE’s pan-Canadian membership comprises 150 colleges, institutes, universities, school boards and language schools, which enrol more than 1.2 million students from coast to coast.