Max Bell MPP student selected for research fellowship with the Canada West Foundation
The Policy Scholars program is welcoming three exceptional members of the Max Bell School MPP class of 2020 to complete research fellowships with prominent Canadian policy think tanks.
The Canada West Foundation has partnered with McGill University’s Max Bell School of Public Policy as a participating organization in the Policy Scholars program, a series of new research fellowships awarded annually to promising Max Bell School Master of Public Policy (MPP) students.
Canada is a very big, very diverse federation. The Canada West Foundation examines policy through a western Canadian lens and the Max Bell Scholar will have the opportunity to experience that perspective,” says Colleen Collins, vice-president, Canada West Foundation.
“Congratulations to the Max Bell Foundation for creating the Policy Scholars Program practicum as an innovative complement to the Max Bell School of Public Policy program. Providing scholars the opportunity to integrate the tools and theories they have learned, along with their previous experience into the policy problems and solutions of think tanks in different parts of the country will build the policy competency of the scholars, the think tanks involved, and Canada’s policy capacity."
Funded by the Max Bell Foundation, the program enables students to spend six months working at a prominent Canadian think tank.
Max Bell came to McGill in 1928 to earn a commerce degree. In 1962 he joined the Board of Governors, and when he established the Foundation that bears his name, he specified that 30 percent of all grants the Foundation makes shall support McGill University. The Foundation is proud of its long association with McGill, and delighted that the first cohort of students is about to complete their MPPs at the Max Bell School of Public Policy. These Policy Scholars will make important contributions to three of Canada’s foremost think tanks, and the Foundation is pleased to support their work.
This year, the Canada West Foundation is welcoming MPP student Sumaiya Kabir Talukder, who will be conducting research on the clean energy innovation ecosystem — analyzing its current performance and generating recommendations on how the system can be optimized.
“Working with the Canada West Foundation on Canada’s clean energy innovation ecosystem provides me with the opportunity to combine my previous experience as a researcher on environmental governance in Bangladesh and my Max Bell School experience to address real policy challenges,” said Sumaiya.
The Max Bell School MPP program’s integrated approach to public policy, which strikes a balance between theory and practical realities, prepares students to excel in the application of their skills.
"Our MPP students are coming out of an intensive degree that is reflective of the real world,” said Catherine Stace, the Max Bell School Career Services Manager. “Sumaiya’s selection for the Policy Scholars program — which will give her the opportunity to work on issues of vital importance at the distinguished Canada West Foundation — recognizes her academic achievements and provides a launchpad for her career."
Chris Ragan, Director of the Max Bell School, shared his thoughts: “With the launch of our MPP program and the arrival of our inaugural cohort, we knew that providing impactful career opportunities with an organization like the Canada West Foundation was essential for both the success of our program and the career trajectory of our MPP students.”
Media Contacts
Communications Manager
Max Bell School of Public Policy
nicholas.salter [at] mcgill.ca
About McGill’s Max Bell School of Public Policy
McGill University’s Max Bell School of Public Policy is committed to the research, teaching, public outreach, and practical advocacy of sound public policy. Located in downtown Montreal, the Max Bell School offers a full-time and intensive 11-month Master of Public Policy (MPP) program. This innovative Master’s program tackles the complexities of public policy from diverse perspectives, giving students the skills to understand and solve the most important issues impacting Canada and the world today. The School welcomed its first cohort of talented, international Master of Public Policy (MPP) students in 2019. In the years to come, the School looks forward to welcoming new global perspectives as it continues to shape and prepare the policy leaders of tomorrow. For more information, visit mcgill.ca/maxbellschool or follow the School on Twitter @maxbellschool.
About the Canada West Foundation
The Canada West Foundation is an independent, non-partisan public policy think tank that focuses on the policies that shape the West, and by extension, Canada. Through our evidence-based research and commentary, we provide practical solutions to tough public policy challenges facing the West, and Canada as a whole, at home and on the global stage. For more information, visit www.cwf.ca or follow them on Twitter @CanadaWestFdn.
