Congratulations to Liza Abid and Vahideh Akbari on receiving a CERMA-CRMR EDI Scholarship!

The CERMA-CRMR Joint EDI Committee warmly congratulates Liza Abid and Vahideh Akbari, PhD students in Wood Engineering and Bio-Based Materials under the supervision of Véronic Landry, on receiving the CERMA-CRMR EDI Scholarship and on the outstanding work carried out as part of their project, “Mentoring for Better Integration.”

This project focuses on establishing a mentoring program that promotes mutual support, the sharing of experiences, and stronger connections within the university community. It actively contributes to building a more inclusive, caring, and supportive learning environment, particularly for newly arrived students and students from diverse backgrounds.

Detailed project: “Mentoring for Better Integration”.

The concrete outcomes of their initiative include several key actions:

1. Student mentoring over two academic terms

Over two consecutive academic terms, Liza and Vahideh implemented a mentoring program that supported approximately ten students from diverse backgrounds. Through their commitment, they created a collaborative learning environment in which mentees actively participated in the different stages of the project, from its design to its implementation.

This mentoring program fostered the development of both theoretical and practical skills, while encouraging autonomy, critical thinking, self-confidence, and initiative. Liza and Vahideh’s inclusive approach, characterized by regular exchanges and personalized support, contributed to enriching the participants’ academic and professional journeys while strengthening their sense of belonging to the university community.

2. Creation of a resource document for international students

Based on a survey conducted among international students, Liza and Vahideh developed a comprehensive reference document containing a wealth of useful information to facilitate their integration. The guide covers essential topics such as academic integration, administrative procedures, resources available on campus, as well as practical advice to help students adapt to university life and a new cultural and social environment.

Please consult the document here.

3. Organization of a thematic conference

Entitled “Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges: EDI at the Heart of Our Collective Actions!”, this conference aimed to highlight initiatives led by the EDI Committee, showcase student projects, and raise awareness within the community about the challenges faced by international students.

The event also provided an opportunity to share diverse perspectives and encourage dialogue around equity, diversity, and inclusion in academic environments.

You can watch the recording here.

4. Highlighting the mentoring program

During the conference, the “Mentoring for Better Integration” project was presented in detail. This showcase highlighted the importance of peer mentoring as a powerful tool for fostering inclusion and inspiring other initiatives within the university community.

A huge thank you to Liza and Vahideh for their dedication, leadership, and outstanding commitment to building a more equitable and inclusive university community. Their project fully embodies the values we strive to promote and serves as an inspiration to our entire network. Congratulations and thank you both!

Would you like to make a difference too? The committee is looking for new motivated individuals to help carry this wonderful initiative forward. Whether you would like to get actively involved or simply learn more, feel free to reach out to us and join the adventure!