Curtis Lever (commerce)
Driven by his keen interest in the intersection of technology and business, Curtis Lever (commerce) helped organize a networking night as part of his work term at the Thai-Canadian Chamber of Commerce.
His involvement was inspired by his drive to advance the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.
Advancing the UN SDGs through CIFAL UVic
As part of his work term, funded by the Queen Elizabeth Scholars Program, Curtis also took part in a new UVic co-op initiative that helps students directly link their work to the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).
This program, developed in partnership with CIFAL Victoria, a training centre connected to the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), provides students who do co-op terms outside Canada with the opportunity to receive UN accreditation for engaging in co-op work terms that advance the UN SDGs as part of their experiences. They must also lead a community-based activity that supports the SDGs in their host country.
Bringing people together
The event, featuring a panel discussion on AI and its impact on both the business world and personal lives, drew over 70 attendees. Curtis actively engaged in discussions covering the influence of AI on diverse industries such as healthcare, education, marketing, finance and more.
One particularly engaging topic, according to Curtis, centered around the pivotal role of AI in the future of education and business on both local and global scales.
“As AI tools are introduced into the classroom, they have the potential to exacerbate education inequalities if only upper-class schools are able to provide their students with the benefits of incorporating AI into the educational environment. I think it’s really critical to consider how AI will impact education and to make sure that we are applying AI in a way that is equitable and enhances opportunity for all.”
Advancing UN SDGs 7, 8 and 9
Reflecting on the event’s impact on United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), Curtis noted its alignment with SDG number 7 (Quality Education), 8 (Decent work and Economic growth), and 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).
He attributed his successful networking in this multicultural environment to his cultural intelligence, emphasizing the value of open-minded discussions on the implications of AI technology.
Leveraging leadership skills
In terms of leadership development, Curtis highlighted the international setting as an opportunity to communicate with individuals from diverse industries, demonstrating initiative by introducing himself to new connections.
“Attending this event and other similar ones is helping me grow into a better leader because it’s giving me practice getting out of my comfort zone and taking the social and professional initiative to start conversations and ask the right questions”, he shared.
The most significant takeaway for Curtis from this experience was the invaluable networking opportunities it presented. "I made connections, exchanged contact information, and followed up with several people. Now, I can reach out to learn more from individuals whose careers align with my interests, and many have expressed interest in staying updated on my endeavors over the next several years."