Global Skills Opportunity is the Government of Canada’s national outbound student mobility pilot program. It aims to empower post-secondary institutions to increase the participation of Canadians in international learning opportunities, especially underrepresented students such as indigenous students and those from low socio-economic backgrounds who have traditionally faced barriers to participation.

Global Skills Opportunity is an integral component of the Government of Canada’s International Education Strategy. It is administered jointly by Universities Canada and Colleges and Institutes Canada. Projects are designed, implemented, and managed by participating universities, colleges and institutes across the country. This decentralized approach allows post-secondary institutions to create projects that best serve the needs of their students and their communities.

The award is designed to defray the travel-related costs of an international experience.

Application deadline

Three to six months prior to travel.

Eligibility criteria

• The award is open to all Saskatchewan Polytechnic students in good standing, enrolled in a Saskatchewan Polytechnic or collaborative partner’s certificate, diploma, degree or post-graduate certificate program.
• The student must be a Canadian citizen or holding permanent resident status.
• Be an Indigenous student, or 
• Be a low-income student (for the purpose of this application, your annual income must be less than $32,102; and less than $45,399 in case you have one or more children)

Note: Students who do not identify as Indigenous or low-income students may apply for partial coverage of their international mobility-related expenses

• The student must have completed at least one semester of their program and have a minimum grade point average of 65% in the previous term of study, and be in good academic standing at the time of application.

Students can receive only one time the Global Skills Opportunity Award for the whole duration of their academic program.

Selection criteria

Global Skills Opportunity International Mobility Award is given to students who have demonstrated the potential benefit of the travel experience and are in good academic standing.

The selection committee will consider only complete application packages from those applicants that have fulfilled the eligibility criteria.

• Essay of 250 - 500 words describing the purpose of travel and how it will benefit the student’s social, academic, and professional development.
• Program endorsement via completed International Mobility Participant Confirmation form.
• Engaging in credit-bearing courses in another country, participating in a student exchange, or participating in an international student competition.
• Student must agree to provide a report upon return which may be used for Sask Polytech promotional purposes, internally or to the public.
• Two recommendation letters from past or current instructors or from student advisors.
• The applicant must hold valid travel documents at the application submission and must be valid throughout the exchange period. (e.g., Passport and visa or study permit if required).
• Hold international health insurance that covers illness, accidents, repatriation, hospitalization, quarantine, prescriptions, etc. (proof required).
• Interview with the selection committee.
• Have submitted a complete application package.

Note: Students must meet pre-departure training and clearance (e.g., passport) before final approval.

The Saskatchewan Polytechnic International Mobility Award provides financial assistance to students participating in an international study and/or work experience as part of their studies. The award is intended to encourage and facilitate international experiences for Saskatchewan Polytechnic students to gain international exposure, enrich their learning, broaden their cultural understanding, and see the global reach of their field of study. The award is designed to defray the travel-related costs of an international experience.

Application deadlines

Three to six months prior to travel.

Eligibility criteria

The award is open to the following Saskatchewan Polytechnic students:

• The award is open to all Saskatchewan Polytechnic students in good standing, enrolled in a Saskatchewan Polytechnic or collaborative partner’s certificate, diploma, degree or post-graduate certificate program.
• The student must be a Canadian citizen or holding permanent resident status.
• The student must have completed at least one semester of their program and have a minimum grade point average of 65% in the previous term of study and be in good academic standing at time of application.

Students can receive only one Saskatchewan Polytechnic International Mobility Award per academic year of their program.

Selection criteria

The International Mobility Award is given to students who have demonstrated the potential benefit of the travel experience and are in good academic standing.

The selection committee will consider only complete application packages from those applicants that have fulfilled the eligibility criteria.

• Essay of 250 - 500 words describing the purpose of travel and how it will benefit both the student’s academic program and professional development.
• Program endorsement via completed International Mobility Participant Confirmation form (included in the application form).
• Engaging in credit-bearing courses in another country, participating in a student exchange, or participating in an international student competition.
• Student must agree to provide a report upon return which may be used for Sask Polytech promotional purposes, internally or to the public.
• The applicant must hold valid travel documents at the application submission and must be valid throughout the exchange period. (e.g., Passport and visa or study permit if required).
• Hold international health insurance that covers illness, accidents, repatriation, hospitalization, quarantine, prescriptions, etc. (proof required).
• Have submitted a complete application package.

Note: Students must meet pre-departure training and clearance (e.g., passport) before final approval.