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Tyndale launches International Development track

Business students exposed to global training

Kelly Rempel
Special to ChristianWeek

TORONTO, ON—A Canadian university college is preparing students for an area of relief work one instructor has termed the "new wave of humanitarian missions." A lot of relief work, especially in crisis situations, offers primarily short-term solutions, says Jannalee Anderson.

However, she says, "sustainable international development not only teaches people how to do something, but provides them with the tools to carry on. It allows them to work again, to provide for their families and gives them back their dignity…they can go on and teach others. It's a lovely ripple effect."

Anderson, assistant professor of business administration at Tyndale University College, has been working with fellow business professor Jan Alpenberg and others to create a new international development track for Tyndale's four-year business administration major.

The hope is that students will combine business skills and a passion for missions, working with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to help people in the developing world find long-term solutions to economic challenges.

"As a Christian university with a mission to train and equip students, we believe this is one of the core areas for the future," says Alpenberg. "This is a rather undeveloped niche; there isn't a lot of competition."

"It's a growing need worldwide," agrees Anderson. "Our students these days are much more globally aware. They're of the generation where they're willing to take a risk and make a difference."

Shannon Brisco, 23, completed her BA in business administration at Tyndale last year, and is now pursuing international development studies at Eastern University in the U.S.

"Any program that carefully studies international development is incredibly valuable," she says. "With the realities of globalization…it is essential that as Christians we understand the world and work in partnership with our brothers and sisters around the world.

"It's a wonderful program for Tyndale to build. Not only should we go forth with convictions and good intentions, but we should also be educated so our work can really be lasting and transformational."

Tyndale's international development track launched in fall 2006 and will see its first full slate of courses by fall 2008. For the first two years students focus on a mix of business and religious studies courses; year three and four include specialized courses in sustainable international development.

Although still in the development stages, internships will give students a firsthand look at the work of NGOs. Between year two and three, students will hone their business skills at the Canadian office of the NGO of their choice; in the winter semester of year three, they will spend time with the international component. The fourth year includes work on an honours thesis.

"By the time students graduate, not only would they have international exposure, but a lot of contacts in the industry that would help build their resume," says Anderson. "That's a part of the program we're really excited about."

1. Sustainable international development addresses long-term solutions for economic challenges in developing countries, many of which are in the Third World.
2. Tyndale’s international development track launched in fall 2006 and will see its first full slate of courses by fall 2008.
3. International development students will have the opportunity for hands-on involvement with summer and semester-long internships with leading NGOs.
4. Students in Jannalee Anderson’s Micro-Enterprise Development class have already had a firsthand look at international development in action. For the past two years they have gone to Honduras on a mission trip, this year learning about micro-finance with Opportunity International and helping another group, Louder Than Words, with a fresh water development project.
5. Although still under development, plans for fourth-year honours students in the international development track include creating an opportunity for international development with an NGO and writing a thesis.