Français
ISU Logo

History

In 1987, the founding conference of the International Space University (ISU) was held in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The founders had invited national representatives from around the world, including government space agencies, university professors, researchers and business persons. A large number of Canadians attended.

The Canadians were favorably impressed by the prospect of having a "floating university" that would conduct special space-related programs in different parts of the world, on an annual basis. Participants realized that Canada must support such a project, but a conundrum existed, i.e.

  • Financing would be needed
  • At that time, there was no central space authority in Canada; Industry Canada had policy responsibility, but NRC was the major operational space department
  • Education was a provincial jurisdiction
  • The Federal Government would be reluctant to infringe or encroach on that jurisdiction.

The establishment of a "charitable foundation" seemed to be the most practical, efficient and effective way to raise funds, manage scholarship selection and represent Canadian interests. A feasibility study was undertaken by a professional consultant and the results were positive. Shortly thereafter, a charitable organization model was drafted and recruitment for a Board of Directors began.

On 25 September 1987, a meeting was held and a Board of Founding Directors was elected and the Canadian Foundation for the International Space University was born (CFISU).

Later that year, Canadian universities were provided with all relevant information for applicants and in 1988 the first ISU-Summer Session Program was held at Massachusetts Institute of Technology with eleven Canadian CFISU students enrolled.

Since then, 275 Canadians have attended the ISU-SSPs, the vast majority of these under sponsored scholarships administered by CFISU. The latest group of 22 Canadians left for Barcelona, Spain, on 27 June, 2008.
Copyright © 2006/07 Canadian Foundation for the International Space University (CFISU). All rights reserved.