We hope you will enjoy reading about this project update and our incredible volunteers! AWB volunteers are dedicated academics who collaborate with their colleagues at AWB’s partner institutions in low and middle income countries, giving generously of their time and efforts, to share expertise through working on projects across objectives and disciplines.

If you are interested in learning more about AWB’s work, mission and projects, please see our website at www.awb-usf.org or contact us at [email protected]. Thank you for your interest and support!

Project Update: Empowering Research Capacity at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST)

Joanne Oxley is the McCutcheon Professor Emeritus of International Business and Professor Emeritus of Strategic Management. She previously served as Rotman’s Vice Dean, Faculty, and Acting Vice Dean, Research, Strategy and Resources. Her research explores factors underpinning international firm performance, with a particular focus on outsourcing and collaborative strategies in different economic and institutional environments. Joanne has volunteered with AWB since 2023.

AWB volunteer, Prof. Emerita Joanne Oxley from the University of Toronto, has recently completed an impactful project aimed at enhancing grant proposal writing skills at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) in Kenya.

After an extensive period of remote collaboration to assess the needs of MMUST’s faculty, Prof. Oxley designed a tailored workshop specifically aligned with the university’s request. The goals were clear: to not only upgrade the skills of the direct participants but also create a sustainable model by training a cohort of mentors and trainers who could cascade their newfound knowledge to others within the faculty. This would, in turn, create a lasting impact on research capacity at MMUST.

Fifteen faculty members, carefully selected for their readiness and commitment, took part in the workshop. These participants were chosen not only for their enthusiasm but also for their pledge to spread the knowledge gained to their colleagues, ensuring the broader faculty would benefit from the training.

Over the course of the week-long workshop, the group delved deep into the intricacies of the research grant application process. From refining research ideas and identifying funding opportunities to mastering research design, budgeting, ethics reviews, and writing compelling proposals, every aspect of grantsmanship was covered in detail. Participants were fully immersed in hands-on activities, discussions, and exercises that allowed them to directly apply the lessons learned.

The engagement and enthusiasm from the group were key factors in the success of the workshop. Each session saw vibrant discussions where participants not only absorbed new information but also shared their insights, creating an enriching exchange of ideas. Many of the attendees shared that they had walked away with invaluable new skills in research design and grant writing, feeling far more equipped to tackle the challenges of securing funding.

Dr. Rose Auma, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at MMUST, reflected on the transformative impact of the workshop: “This workshop has been a game-changer for our faculty. Many of our researchers have incredible ideas but lacked the skills to effectively communicate their vision to potential funders. Thanks to AWB, we now have the tools and knowledge to craft compelling proposals and secure the funding we need.”

This project is a shining example of AWB’s commitment to empowering higher education institutions in low- and middle-income countries. By providing faculty with the skills and confidence to drive impactful research, AWB is helping to foster long-term sustainability and make a tangible difference in the global research community.

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Steven Davis, the founder of Academics Without Borders (AWB), leaves behind an extraordinary legacy that will continue to inspire generations to come. With a profound belief in the transformative power of education, Steven devoted much of his life to ensuring that higher education could serve as a force for positive change across the globe. Through his unwavering commitment, intellectual rigor, and boundless generosity, he made an indelible mark on both the academic world and the lives of countless individuals worldwide.

Steven’s journey in academia was marked by a remarkable career that spanned decades. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Rochester, followed by his Master’s and Ph.D. from the University of Illinois – Champaign-Urbana. His professional life saw him teach at esteemed institutions such as the University of Pittsburgh, Simon Fraser University, Carleton University, and McGill University, where he earned the admiration and respect of students and colleagues alike. His academic pursuits were not confined to the classroom. He was also deeply involved in global academic exchange, serving as a visiting professor at institutions such as Boston University, the University of Oslo, and the International Christian University in Tokyo, to name a few.

Steven’s contributions to higher education were far-reaching. As the founder of the Centre on Values and Ethics at Carleton University and a key player in the creation of the Cognitive Science Program at Simon Fraser University, he was at the forefront of groundbreaking academic initiatives. He was also a prominent leader in the Canadian Philosophical Association, serving as its President and contributing to the development of its journal, Dialogue. His leadership, intellect, and academic contributions were widely recognized, culminating in an honorary L.L.D. from Carleton University in 2018.

But it was Steven’s visionary work with Academics Without Borders that would come to define his legacy. In 2007, driven by his passion for creative, collaborative solutions to global challenges, he founded AWB with the goal of enhancing educational opportunities in the Global South. Steven understood that in order to build healthier, more prosperous societies, a skilled and educated workforce was essential. He also recognized that many institutions in developing countries lacked the resources and expertise to offer quality education. His solution was simple yet profound: bring together higher education institutions in the Global South and skilled faculty and staff from primarily Canadian universities to work on capacity-building projects identified by the partner institutions.

As Nancy Gallini, the current executive director of AWB, expressed: “Steven was an inspirational force, a creative leader with a generous spirit for improving the world through higher education. Steven has left an extraordinary legacy in Academics Without Borders. His bold vision is testament to his wisdom in understanding the vital role of higher education toward building an educated and skilled workforce required for healthy and prosperous societies.”

One of the first AWB projects, launched in 2010 at the University of Liberia, exemplified the impact of his work. Providing strategic planning advice to the President of the University of Liberia, it marked the beginning of a journey that now includes over 200 projects with over 100 partner institutions in 39 countries. Since AWB’s inception, over 300 volunteers, mainly faculty and staff from Canadian institutions, have answered the call to serve, dedicating their time and expertise for the greater good. The first projects set the stage for a series of groundbreaking initiatives, which have since spanned continents and impacted countless students and communities.

The success of AWB was not only due to Steven’s intellectual brilliance but also his unparalleled ability to rally others to his cause. The network of universities and volunteers he built around him—from the first universities to join the AWB network, to the dozens of institutions that followed—was a testament to his leadership and determination. His creativity and drive were essential in turning his vision into reality, with academic institutions collaborating across borders to provide students in the Global South with the tools they needed to thrive.

The impact of Steven’s work cannot be overstated. His legacy is one of hope, education, and global cooperation. Through AWB, he helped bring about lasting change by ensuring that higher education could be a tool for progress and empowerment, not just for individuals, but for entire communities and nations. Steven Davis was, and will always be, a true pioneer—one who recognized that education has the power to transcend borders, develop capacity and foster a brighter future for all.

As we reflect on Steven’s remarkable life and work, we are reminded of his enduring impact. His vision lives on through the ongoing work of Academics Without Borders, which continues to advance the impactful projects he set into motion. Today, AWB’s legacy is built upon the foundation he created—one that empowers both volunteers and communities to work together for the greater good.

Steven Davis was not just an academic, but a global changemaker whose influence extended far beyond the walls of any classroom. Through his boundless dedication to education, he changed the lives of countless individuals, leaving an indelible mark on the world. As we honor his memory, we continue to marvel at the profound and lasting legacy he leaves behind in the fields of higher education and global humanitarian work.

Info/Data for Tribute write up

biography

Carleton convocation address

Montrealer article

Quote from Nancy Gallini:

“Steven was an inspirational force, a creative leader with a generous spirit for improving the world through higher education.  Steven has left an extraordinary legacy in Academics Without Borders.  His bold vision is testament to his wisdom in understanding the vital role of higher education toward building an educated and skilled workforce required for healthy and prosperous societies.  His success at turning his vision into reality is testament of his unparalleled leadership in rallying Canadian post-secondary institutions to join him in helping institutions in the Global South provide their students quality educational opportunities. I marvel every day over AWB’s impactful projects since Steven began his journey: over 200 projects conducted in partnership with over 100 post-secondary institutions in nearly 40 countries with over 300 AWB volunteers – faculty and staff from primarily Canadian universities and colleges – who dedicate their time and expertise for the greater good. Steven’s impact on global higher education has been profound.  We are honoured to build upon Steven’s legacy, and to advance the impactful work of AWB in his memory.”

Academic Details

Steven received his bachelor’s degree at the University of Rochester and his Master’s and Ph.D. degrees at the University of Illinois – Champaign – Urbana. In 2018, he was awarded an L.L.D. from Carleton University.

Steven taught in the Philosophy Department at the University of Pittsburgh from 1966 to 1974, before moving to Canada in 1974 to take up a post in the Philosophy Department at Simon Fraser University. After retiring from Simon Fraser University in 2002, he took up a position in the Philosophy Department at Carleton University where he taught from 2002 to 2007. He is currently Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at Simon Fraser University and Carleton University. He is also an Adjunct Professor of Philosophy at McGill University and the Université du Montréal, and a Research Associate at the Jean-Nicod Institute, EHSS & ENS, Paris.

Steven has been a visiting professor at Boston University, the University of Oslo, State University of New York – Albany, University of Illinois – Champaign –Urbana, Language Sciences Summer Institute, Dubrovnik, and the International Christian University, Tokyo. Steven was the director of the Centre on Values and Ethics from 2002 to 2007 at Carleton University and one of the founders of the Cognitive Science Programme at Simon Fraser University. He was also the president of the Canadian Philosophical Association and anglophone editor of its journal, Dialogue.

AWB History

With Steven’s signature passions; creativity, intelligence and grit, Academics Without Borders was born in 2007. Steven Davis was an inspirational force, a creative leader with a bold vision, and generous spirit for improving the world through higher education.

Develop some history:

The first project  2010-1-LBR, University of Liberia, Providing institutional strategic planning advice to the President of the University of Liberia

First volunteer: Michael Keating, University of Massachusetts, USA/ Simon Fraser University, Canada

The first Board, Advisory Council – limited information here, earliest list is 2020

The first Network university – Concordia