University of Manitoba’s Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarship: Engaging Indigenous Languages, Knowledges, Learning and the Land

We are looking for exceptional University of Manitoba students with proven track records of strong academic performance, leadership, a commitment to community engagement.

Selected students will participate in a 90-day internship in Belize offered in partnership with our Indigenous partner; CELA, Belize. Longer internships may also be available. Internships may be either field or research based and will focus on four areas. These are: Indigenous languages, knowledges, learning, and the land.

Internships for travel to Belize are available as noted in the table below. For each travel period, successful QES Scholars will travel to Belize at the beginning of the month with the internship to begin mid-month.

QES scholars will be provided with a host supervisor in Belize. CELA will also assist QES scholars in securing housing for the duration of their stay.

Learn more about QES in this video

If you can not attend one of the sessions, you can view a powerpoint presentation here.

We continue to monitor covid-19 developments. We will continue to accept applications however applicants must be aware that their exchanges could be cancelled or postponed if travel restrictions are re-imposed.

Applications will be evaluated on academic eligibility, merit and field placement feasibility. The selection committee will consult with student references in making selections; therefore, students are asked to name someone who can speak to their academic performance and their suitability for this experience.

QES scholars from the University of Manitoba will also be engaged in a variety of activities to enrich their understanding of Indigenous education and community within Belize and provided with opportunities to share their learning with local communities in Belize and through an online QES course. Providing an enriched learning experience and supportive environment, our University of Manitoba QES scholars will participate in:

• A mandatory full day pre-departure workshop hosted by the Faculty of Education in partnership with the International Centre
• An orientation session hosted by CELA Belize upon arrival in the country.
• A three-credit, online course completed by all students entitled Emancipating Indigenous Languages completed while in Belize. Students will be cross registered to receive credit in their home faculty if required. More information about this course will be provided to students once accepted.
• Local community engagement activities and workshops organized by CELA.
• Opportunities to connect with other QES Scholars and alumni around the world.

For travel to Belize January-April 2024

• Application Package
• Reference Form

For travel to Belize May-August 2024

• Application Package
• Reference Form

To be eligible for consideration, applicants from the University of Manitoba must: 

• Be a Canadian citizen with a valid Canadian passport to ensure you can register with the Canadian embassy in Belize. UM International students are not eligible for the scholarship
• Be under 35 years of age at time of application.  Under exceptional circumstances a request for exemption may be considered;
• Have demonstrated relevant and appropriate background as evidenced in their resume and statement of interest to engage in an international internship in Belize;
• Be mature and independent, flexible and willing to adapt according to the needs of the program and the cultural setting with empathy and consideration;
• Be willing and able to live and work in a rural placement;
• Be willing and able to participate in community engagement activities during the tenure of the award, and
• Be enrolled in a degree program at the University of Manitoba
• Faculty of Education students must be:
  • Enrolled in the Bachelor of Education Program and has successfully completed Practicum 1  and is in clear standing with a GPA of 2.50 and no grade below a C or Pass at time of application. Applicants must continue to be in clear standing at time of travel.
  • Enrolled in the PBDE program in clear standing with a GPA of 2.50 and no course grade below C at time of application.  Applicants must continue to be in clear standing at time of travel.
  • Enrolled in a graduate program (Pre-Master, M.Ed. or Ph.D.) at the University of Manitoba in clear standing with a GPA of 3.0 and no course grade below B at time of application. Applicants must continue to be in clear standing at time of travel.
• Other University of Manitoba students must be enrolled in an undergraduate program and have successfully completed a minimum of 51 credit hours at time of application in clear standing with a GPA of 2.50 and no course grade below C. Applicants must continue to be in clear standing at time of travel.

NOTE:  All students accepted to the QES Program will be required to complete a 3 credit hour online course while in Belize and register for an appropriate course for the internship.  To participate in the program, students must receive university credit for the required course and the internship.

In keeping with the terms of the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Award, preference will be given to Indigenous applicants (First Nations, Metis, or Inuit) who were born in Canada or identify as Indigenous and were born outside Canada. Note: International students are not eligible for this scholarship. Preference will also be given to students enrolled in the Faculty of Education degree and diploma programs.

Successful applicants must submit and be cleared of an official Criminal Record Check, including vulnerable-sector screening, and clearance on the Child Abuse Registry prior to departure. Successful applicants will be provided more information about these checks in their letter of offer.
 

The QES program will provide a total of $8,000 to each accepted to the program to cover the costs of travel and living expenses while in Belize. Students will receive $7,500.00 prior to departure and an additional $500.00 upon submission of the final narrative report. Payment takes up to four weeks.

Students should budget for additional expenses. These funds would be used to cover costs for discretionary items such as booking an excursion or tour outside of QES activities, cell phone charges, etc. For a full listing, please see the information and application package.

1. What is the Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarship Program (QES)?
The QES program is a joint initiative between the Association of University and Colleges of Canada, the Rideau Hall Foundation, and Community Foundations of Canada. It is funded through contributions from the Government of Canada, provincial governments, the private sector and individuals.

2. How does a QES scholarship work?
We are looking for exceptional University of Manitoba students with proven track records of strong academic performance, leadership, a commitment to community engagement.
University of Manitoba students who are Canadian Citizens and who meet the admission criteria, are eligible to apply. Once accepted to the QES Program, you participate in an internship in Belize with a spectacular group of people for a minimum of 90 days. In addition to the 90-day internship, scholars will be required to attend a pre-departure orientation and an orientation once they arrive in Belize. These orientations together with travel time to Belize are not counted towards the minimum 90-day internship. Options for longer internships of up to 180 days are also available. QES Scholars will be assigned an individual supervisor who will support them while in Belize.

3. What kind of internships are available in Belize?
We are partnering with CELA Belize. This organization provides internships in a wide variety of areas including: education (K-12 schools), Indigenous studies, Archaeology and Anthropology, the non-profit sector, the environment and conservation, public health in the tropics with internships in community health, local health facilities, UNICEF, field work in medicinal gardens and work with healers to name a few.

4. How many QES scholars from Belize will be accepted?
The faculty will be accepting 12 scholars in total over the course of the program.

5. Will I be traveling alone to Belize?
Internships are individualized programs. If you would prefer to travel with another scholar, please indicate in your application statement.

6. Is there coursework I need to complete before going to Belize?
Bachelor of Education students:

• must have completed Practicum 1
• must be in clear standing with a GPA of 2.50 and no course grade below a C or Pass

PBDE students:

• There are no course requirements for PBDE students

Pre-Master, Master and Ph.D. students

• There are no course requirements for Pre-Master, Master and Ph.D. students.

Other University of Manitoba students

• There are no course requirements for undergraduate students enrolled in degree programs

7. Is there coursework I am required to complete during the internship in Belize?
Yes, all scholars will complete one three-credit hour online course while in Belize. The course you will register for will depend on your current program and home faculty.

• BEd students will register for EDUB 3502 Recent Developments in Curriculum, Teaching and Learning: Emancipating Indigenous Languages (3)
• PBDE students will register for EDUB 5200 Readings in Curriculum, Teaching and Learning 1: Emancipating Indigenous Languages (3)
• Education MEd and PhD students will register for course EDUB 7142 - Topics in Curriculum, Teaching, and Learning: Emancipating Indigenous Languages (3)
• Undergraduate degree students, Pre-Master, Master and Ph.D. students in other departments will register for a course as directed by their unit.

8. Do I receive degree credit for the internship?
No, there is no credit for the internship.

9. Is there a tuition fee for the courses I need to complete before, and during the internship?
Yes, regular UM tuition fees apply. The QES scholarship does not cover the cost of tuition. If you are an undergraduate student, regular tuition fees will apply. If you are a graduate student, the course tuition may be covered through your graduate program fee. Please check with your graduate advisor.

10. Do I need travel insurance?
Yes, you must have travel insurance in place prior to departing for Belize. The insurance must cover you for your travel to and from Belize as well as the entire duration of your stay. For more information about insurance requirements, please visit http://umanitoba.ca/international/student-exchange-program

11. Do I need Health Insurance?
Yes, you will need to be enrolled in the University of Manitoba’s Health Care Coverage Plan or if you have opted out of this plan, you must provide proof you are covered by another plan.

12. Why do I need a criminal record and child-abuse registry check?
While we realize some faculties do require checks as part of admission and re-registration to their programs, a new check will be required of all students admitted as a QES scholar.

14. Do I book my own flight?
Yes

15. What costs I will be responsible for?
Yes, you should count on additional costs you may incur. These funds would be used to cover your costs for discretionary items such as booking an excursion or tour outside of QES activities, cell phone charges, etc. For a full listing, please see the information and application package.

16. Will I need to find my own accommodation in Belize?
No, our partner, CELA Belize will assist all accepted scholars in finding accommodation. Scholars may be placed in housing or shared housing with a family in Belize.

17. What is the deadline date for applying to the program?
We are now accepting applications for travel to Belize for the period January-April 2024 and May-August 2024. Please see the application section for deadline dates.  Applications for later internships in 2024 and 2025 may be available approximately five months before departure.

Register for an information session

More information coming soon

QES scholars will engage in a variety of activities to enrich their understanding of Indigenous education and community within Manitoba, and share their learning with the University of Manitoba community and beyond.

• a part-time orientation session once in Winnipeg.
• community service learning including in urban Indigenous schools and through participation in land-based learning opportunities;
• an annual QES symposium organized by the Faculty of Education. The symposium will provide scholars with an opportunity to share their learning through presentations with the larger university community;
• an annual Faculty of Education graduate student symposium;
• research opportunities through the provision of research assistantships, and  
• opportunities to connect with other QES Scholars and alumni around the world.

The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship will provide funding for the two-year duration of the M.Ed. program to a total of $60,000.00 per student.  This funding will be provided to cover all costs, including:

• The Graduate Studies application fee
• Securing official transcripts as part of the application process
• The Canadian Visa application fee including the costs for the Biometric Scan
• Tuition, textbooks, and course materials
• Individual Health insurance
• Criminal Record and Child Abuse Checks required prior to placement in a Manitoba school or service learning setting
• A monthly living allowance for Winnipeg
• Community service-learning experiences
• Round-trip flight from Belize to Canada

1. What is the Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarship program (QES)?
The Canadian Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarship Program (QES) is a joint initiative between the Association of University and Colleges of Canada, the Rideau Hall Foundation, and Community Foundations of Canada. It is funded through contributions from the Government of Canada, Provincial governments, the private sector and individuals.

2. What is the focus of the University of Manitoba’s QES program?
The QES Program at the University of Manitoba will focus engaging Indigenous languages, knowledges, learning and the land. The program objectives are:

• To increase, sustain and strengthen relationships while building capacity in Belize and in Canada in respectful and relevant Indigenous education, specifically around our four program themes: Indigenous and official languages, Indigenous knowledges, Indigenous food sovereignty and learning from the land;
• To increase local capacity in both Belize and Canada in educational leadership, and provide opportunities for emerging Indigenous leaders and classroom teachers who work with global Indigenous children;
• To provide graduate students with the opportunity to engage in international research and/or development opportunities in Indigenous language education and second-language education, Indigenous ontologies and epistemologies, Indigenous food sovereignty, and/or Indigenous learning from the land, and
• To support the University of Manitoba’s role as a leader in global Indigenous education.

3. How a QES scholarship works:
Citizens of Belize who meet the admission criteria, will complete a two-year, full-time master-of-education degree in second-language education or Indigenous education at the University of Manitoba.

4. How many QES Scholars from Belize will be accepted?
The faculty will be accepting three scholars.

5. What are the eligibility requirements for a QES award?

• Be pursuing academic credit on a full-time basis at the University of Manitoba toward a master of education degree (second-language education);
• Be a citizen of Belize. Anyone who has applied for Canadian citizenship or for permanent residency is not eligible;
• Meet University of Manitoba’s graduate studies and the Faculty of Education’s Curriculum, Teaching and Learning: second-language education admission requirements, and
• Participate in community engagement activities in Canada as directed by the program.

6. Do I need to successfully complete an English-language proficiency test?
No, citizens of Belize are exempt from this requirement.

7. What is the deadline date for applying to the program?
The deadline date for the program has now passed and all spots are filled.

8. Who can I contact if I need help with the application form?
CELA Belize will be helping applicants. Their office is located at #13-10th St., San Ignacio, Cayo. You may contact them directly by calling 617-368-0715 or e-mailing admissions@celabelize.com

9. How much will the QES program cost?
All costs associated with the MEd program are covered by a $60,000 scholarship. For more information, click on the funding drop-down menu.

10. Can my family travel with me to Winnipeg while I attend the program?
Yes, however, they will also need a Canadian visa.

11. Will my family members also be provided with free health coverage?
No, you will need to make these arrangements for their health coverage and cover the costs. Click here for more information.

12. Do I have to find my own housing accommodations?
The University of Manitoba has resources for securing off-campus housing. See https://och.cc.umanitoba.ca/.

13. What if COVID-19 pandemic prevents me from travelling to Winnipeg to begin the program?
In the event the pandemic is still a threat and restrictions are in place, we will be postponing travel until it is possible to come to Winnipeg safely. The new time will be negotiated to ensure it is possible.

14. Who can I contact if I have more questions?
Please feel free to contact Filiberto Penados at CELA Belize at 617-368-0715. You may also email the QES coordinator, Rosanna Caruso at the Faculty of Education. The e-mail address is: QES2Ind.education@umanitoba.ca/a>