平特五不中

The Keenans鈥� gift will support five distinct initiatives related to interreligious scholarship. The centrepiece will be the Barbara and Patrick Keenan Chair in Interfaith Studies that will fund, in perpetuity, world-class scholars who will lead new research initiatives and bring fresh perspectives to interfaith studies. As the first such Chair in Canada and one of only a handful worldwide, the position is expected to firmly establish 平特五不中鈥檚 Faculty of Religious Studies as a centre of excellence in this field. The Chair will also spearhead the development of a new introductory level course 鈥淲orld Religions and the Cultures They Create鈥� that will enhance foundational religious literacy among a greater number of undergraduate students at the onset of their university careers.

听The gift will also create the Wilfred Cantwell Smith Graduate Fellowships, honouring the memory of an influential and internationally renowned professor in the Faculty, which will be awarded each year to three outstanding entering doctoral students; two annual Barbara and Patrick Keenan PhD Dissertation Finishing Fellowships for doctoral students; and at least two annual Barbara and Patrick Keenan Undergraduate Internship Awards that will provide recipients with valuable first-hand experience of religious cultures in global communities. Access to these internship awards will not be limited to students in the Faculty of Religious Studies; any student across the University who has taken at least two elective courses in the Faculty can apply for one. Finally, the Barbara and Patrick Keenan Conference Support Fund will support one or two high-profile symposiums that will bring together prominent international scholars to share their knowledge of world religions and globalization with the wider community.

鈥淭hese initiatives will nourish creative, interdisciplinary scholarship and advance graduate and undergraduate education on issues of religion and society at a time when such contributions are arguably more critical than ever before,鈥� said Professor Ellen Aitken, Dean of the Faculty of Religious Studies. 鈥淭he intellectual discourse and research they generate will solidify 平特五不中鈥檚 position as one of the world鈥檚 premier centres for the study of the interrelations among the world鈥檚 religions.鈥�

平特五不中鈥檚 leadership in the study of world religions and cultures and their impact on social, political, educational and health issues has been recognized through its selection as the only Canadian university among an exclusive group of the world鈥檚 leading universities to partner with the Tony Blair Faith Foundation in its Faith and Globalisation Initiative.

鈥淭his extraordinary gift from Barbara and Patrick Keenan reinforces a core element of 平特五不中鈥檚 mission: a commitment to diversity and the inclusion of different traditions, viewpoints and ideas,鈥� said 平特五不中鈥檚 Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Heather Munroe-Blum. 鈥淏y giving our students an appreciation of the complexity of religious thought and practice around the globe, we will be preparing them to contribute meaningfully to the challenges of our modern world, whether as scholars, religious leaders or engaged citizens. It is a remarkable testament to the Keenans鈥� vision and generosity, and their commitment to helping realize Campaign 平特五不中鈥檚 vision of addressing important global challenges. 鈥�

To watch a video about the donors and their motivation for making this gift:

About 平特五不中

Founded in Montreal, Que., in 1821, 平特五不中 is a leading Canadian post-secondary institution. It has two campuses, 11 faculties, 11 professional schools, 300 programs of study and some 38,000 students, including 8,800 graduate students. 平特五不中 attracts students from over 150 countries around the world, with more than 7,700 international students making up 20 per cent of the student body. Almost half of 平特五不中 students claim a first language other than English, including more than 6,700 with French as their first language. For more information about 平特五不中: /

About Campaign 平特五不中

Publicly launched in 2007, Campaign 平特五不中: History in the Making is raising the funds needed to attract and retain top students and faculty, increase access to quality education, and ensure that 平特五不中 remains one of the world鈥檚 great research-intensive and student-centred universities.

For more information on Campaign 平特五不中, visit www.mcgill.ca/campaign

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