UVic’s Borders in Globalization (BIG) research program, with funding from the 21st Century Borders SSHRC Partnership grant and the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Commission, currently hosts two week-long intensive summer institutes exploring borders in the 21st century. Participants develop comprehensive understandings of borders in the 21st century by learning from top academics in the field as well as policy experts from a variety of international, governmental, non-governmental, and local organizations. Each course is fully hybrid and will be capped at 25 students to ensure a personalized and engaging experience for all participants.
This micro-credential program will deepen your knowledge about the regulatory environment of trading networks, the practical trade applications and concerns related to artificial intelligence and machine learning and the challenges and opportunities in managing cross border regions
See a full description of this stream and its courses here.
This stream runs for 3 consecutive weeks and is composed of 3 courses, completed in any order.
This micro-credential program examines the politics and policies of cross border regions and transboundary people, the complex global migration system and key and innovative aspects of border law.
See a full description of this stream and its courses here.
This stream runs for 3 consecutive weeks and is composed of 3 courses, completed in any order.
Academic Course Option
Students at the University of Victoria, as well as visiting students, can take our border institutes as a Directed Reading through the School of Public Administration. If taken for credit, the course will run for the duration of the summer term in addition to the week-long course residency. Students interested in this option should contact [email protected] for more information.
Professional Development Certifications
We are very excited to have partnered with the University of Victoria’s Faculty of Continuing Studies to offer all our institutes as micro-credits. Micro-credentials provide ongoing professional development and offer a fast and flexible way to upskill or reskill and remain competitive in your industry. Policy professionals will gain specialized career-developing skills that meet the needs of current employers including border control agencies and international organizations. While the institutes are tailored to policy professionals and academics, members of the community are more than welcome to register and attend as members of the public.
WCO Call for Papers
The World Customs Organization (WCO) is pleased to publish a Call for Papers from Customs officials on academic/policy research. Applicants selected by the PICARD Scientific Board members will be supervised by professors/lecturers at the University of Victoria (British Columbia, Canada) and the papers produced may be published in an academic journal.
The selected applicants will be eligible to take one of the following week-long courses (online or in-person), namely (i) Modern Border Management: Trade and Customs or (ii) Artificial Intelligence in Border Management. The selected applicants wishing to participate in one of the courses should register for it by 15 June 2023. Learn more here.
“Having the opportunity to listen to new perspectives from international speakers, working through diverse concepts in the following practicums, and being able to ask questions at any point was a great structure and enabled me to broaden my knowledge on modern trade, customs, and cross-border management practices. Making new, global connections with other students was a bonus! I’d highly recommend attending the Institute.“ -Policy Professional from the Canada Border Services Agency (2022 Participant)
“Basically, attending [the institute] is a dream come true as I was been exposed to lots of useful insights and thoughts on emerging trends in cross-border control and management amidst latest threats and challenges associated with same. The progamme equally availed me a great opportunity to learn new skills in Policy Research and Policy Writing. I sincerely express my deep appreciation to the University of Victoria [UVIC] – British Colombia and Borders in Globalization [BIG] for given me such opportunity to attend this awesome event, would equally thank World Customs Organization [WCO] for creating such enabling environment to enhance my capacity building in addressing and tackling cross-border challenges and threats.” – Policy Professional from the World Customs Organization (2022 Participant)
“I think the BIG Summer Institute management is higher than just “professional”, because they pay attention with the curiosity of the participant, not only run the curriculum” – Policy Professional (2022 Participant)
“The experience was stimulating because of the research intensive approach and the varied perspectives from different presenters, unlike other trainings that have mostly been from the perspective of one presenter delivering second hand information.” – Policy Professional Participant (2022 Participant)
