Award caps Co-op Education Week
Adam Brayford, 778.782.2188; abrayfor@sfu.ca
Mona Jalili, 778.782.6679; mja23@sfu.ca
Marianne Meadahl, PAMR, 778.782.4323
Simon Fraser University’s Co-op program is celebrating Co-op Education Week – and the national recognition of one of its students.
Mona Jalili, a biomedical physiology and kinesiology student, is one of two recipients of the 2009 Canadian Association For Co-operative Education Co-op Student of the Year award.
It’s the fourth time that an SFU student has been chosen to receive the award.
Jalili completed three co-op work terms with SFU’s Injury Prevention and Mobility Laboratory, where she assisted with two research projects related to the prevention of falls and fall-related hip fractures in older adults.
Supervisor Stephen Robinovitch, who holds a Canada Research Chair in Injury Prevention and Mobility Biomechanics, says Jalili possesses “strong intellect, organizational skills, scientific curiosity, drive and interpersonal skills” along with “a natural aptitude for laboratory-based and clinical research.”
Co-operative Education offers students alternate paid work terms with their study terms. Students apply new skills, gain valuable career-related work experience and help pay for their education.
SFU Co-op has been matching employers in government, industry and the non-profit sector with students for full and part-time work since 1975. More than 1,500 students are placed locally, nationally and internationally every year.
“The Co-op model allows for employers to gain fresh insight and contributions from enthusiastic students,” says Co-op’s Adam Brayford. “The experience provides students with skills and contacts that can lead to full-time employment.”
-30- (Photo available for download at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sfupamr/4462803174/)