In the age of COVID-19, the world has shifted rapidly, with uncertainty and disruption across all aspects of Higher Education, including teaching and research. We have had to change how we provide learning and conduct research at an extraordinary pace and scale. At Smith, we thank all our supporters for their leadership in helping us continue to engage in teaching excellence and research.
At Smith School of Business, we provide students in our Bachelor of Commerce program (where over 80% of our students choose to go on exchange) and our full-time MBA programs with optional exchange opportunities to 115 prestigious business schools in more than 38 countries. Exchange provides a unique opportunity for Smith students to enhance their networking skills, widen their global network, strengthen their cultural intelligence and cross-cultural communication abilities, and gain an international perspective. We believe all students deserve to access the benefits of exchange, but financial constraints limit some of our students' ability to gain these valuable skills and experiences without financial assistance. Exchange awards and scholarships supported by alumni and friends of the school help us to ensure all students can partake in the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of international exchange.
Smith School of Business is committed to cultivating a vibrant and diverse academic and work environment rooted in a culture of mutual respect so that all members of our community feel safe, possess a strong sense of belonging and are empowered to thrive. We recognize that access, equity and inclusion are vital to our school's future and to developing global citizens with the broad knowledge, skills, and perspectives needed to contribute meaningfully to society as well as advancements in business. To aid in achieving our EDII goals, we have expanded our efforts to accelerate the implementation of meaningful EDII-related changes. In recognition of this, Smith has established an Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Indigenization (EDII) Fund, to provide our community with an opportunity to support initiatives leading to impactful and meaningful change within our school.
Smith School of Business is committed to ensuring access to all students with the talent and potential to lead and succeed in business, contribute to their communities, and positively impact society on a broader scale. Having the resources to offer financial support to those students through admission bursaries and awards is vital to upholding that commitment. The Commerce Bursary Fund ensures Smith is better able to recruit a wide array of exceptional students with the diverse perspectives, skills, and capabilities needed to succeed in business. Through the support of our alumni and friends, we are able to ensure talented students with financial need have access to the best resources, education and unparalleled opportunities possible to explore, and reach, their full potential.