Jiya Binning
Major in Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Social Justice, Minor in Law & Society
2025 Undergraduate Arts Co-op Student of the Year, Honourable Mention
Jiya Binning embraced the challenges and responsibilities of her co-op term with exceptional maturity and purpose. As a Junior Policy Analyst with Global Affairs Canada, she strategically applied her academic training in policy analysis and international affairs to deliver high-impact work, demonstrating strong analytical rigour, policy literacy, and commitment to public service.
Making an Impact
At Global Affairs Canada, Jiya contributed to regulatory assessment and policy analysis within an international trade and export controls context. In this role, she synthesized complex information, evaluated export permit applications and assessed compliance considerations under Canadian sanction regulations. She approached this work with a high level of precision, producing concise and well-reasoned recommendations for the Minister of Foreign Affairs. One of Jiya’s key contributions was the development of a Permit Rationale Tracker, a tool that is now being used by the Sanctions Bureau.
In a standout moment, Jiya handled a time-sensitive, important file in a colleague’s absence. Using her exceptional skills in legislative interpretation, Jiya independently produced a comprehensive yet concise brief that was commended for meeting senior-level analyst standards. She surpassed expectations through her display of outstanding technical competence and a nuanced understanding of Canada’s foreign policy objectives and global responsibilities.
Links Between Work & Academics
Jiya’s Gender, Race, Sexuality and Social Justice (GRSJ) background played a central role in her success. Her work term revealed the human dimension of policymaking that required ethical and emotional considerations. She credits her academic foundation as giving her the tools to “consider how humanitarian concern could be integrated without compromising legislative integrity.” A key achievement was when she utilized her academic training in creating a Permit Rational Tracker for the Sanctions Bureau to monitor sanctions permit applications that senior management “unanimously agreed” enhanced permit analysis processes.
Jiya found that her studies strengthened the depth and thoughtfulness of her policy analysis through her understanding of power, equity, and responsibility. It distinguished her work by adding a critical and human-centred dimension to the technical and legal demands of her role. Her supervisor notes that her findings and tracker “continue to be discussed at the Director General level” due to their exceptional quality.
Impact on Career Development
Jiya says her co-op term has deepened her commitment to a career in public service. The experience clarified her interest in working in organizations that incorporate both legal and humanitarian considerations in policymaking. More than this, it also gave her a clearer idea of what roles highlight her strengths and values as a professional. These invaluable lessons now serve as a foundation for Jiya’s career path: “These insights now guide how I evaluate future opportunities.”
About the UBC Arts Co-op Student of the Year Award
The annual award recognizes outstanding achievement in all aspects of the UBC Arts Co-op student’s performance, including academic achievement, job achievement/employer evaluation, personal statement, contribution to co-operative education, and contribution to extra-curricular activities.
Jiya Binning
Major in Gender, Race, Sexuality, and Social Justice, Minor in Law & Society
2025 Undergraduate Arts Co-op Student of the Year, Honourable Mention
Jiya Binning embraced the challenges and responsibilities of her co-op term with exceptional maturity and purpose. As a Junior Policy Analyst with Global Affairs Canada, she strategically applied her academic training in policy analysis and international affairs to deliver high-impact work, demonstrating strong analytical rigour, policy literacy, and commitment to public service.
Making an Impact
At Global Affairs Canada, Jiya contributed to regulatory assessment and policy analysis within an international trade and export controls context. In this role, she synthesized complex information, evaluated export permit applications and assessed compliance considerations under Canadian sanction regulations. She approached this work with a high level of precision, producing concise and well-reasoned recommendations for the Minister of Foreign Affairs. One of Jiya’s key contributions was the development of a Permit Rationale Tracker, a tool that is now being used by the Sanctions Bureau.
In a standout moment, Jiya handled a time-sensitive, important file in a colleague’s absence. Using her exceptional skills in legislative interpretation, Jiya independently produced a comprehensive yet concise brief that was commended for meeting senior-level analyst standards. She surpassed expectations through her display of outstanding technical competence and a nuanced understanding of Canada’s foreign policy objectives and global responsibilities.
Links Between Work & Academics
Jiya’s Gender, Race, Sexuality and Social Justice (GRSJ) background played a central role in her success. Her work term revealed the human dimension of policymaking that required ethical and emotional considerations. She credits her academic foundation as giving her the tools to “consider how humanitarian concern could be integrated without compromising legislative integrity.” A key achievement was when she utilized her academic training in creating a Permit Rational Tracker for the Sanctions Bureau to monitor sanctions permit applications that senior management “unanimously agreed” enhanced permit analysis processes.
Jiya found that her studies strengthened the depth and thoughtfulness of her policy analysis through her understanding of power, equity, and responsibility. It distinguished her work by adding a critical and human-centred dimension to the technical and legal demands of her role. Her supervisor notes that her findings and tracker “continue to be discussed at the Director General level” due to their exceptional quality.
Impact on Career Development
Jiya says her co-op term has deepened her commitment to a career in public service. The experience clarified her interest in working in organizations that incorporate both legal and humanitarian considerations in policymaking. More than this, it also gave her a clearer idea of what roles highlight her strengths and values as a professional. These invaluable lessons now serve as a foundation for Jiya’s career path: “These insights now guide how I evaluate future opportunities.”
About the UBC Arts Co-op Student of the Year Award
The annual award recognizes outstanding achievement in all aspects of the UBC Arts Co-op student’s performance, including academic achievement, job achievement/employer evaluation, personal statement, contribution to co-operative education, and contribution to extra-curricular activities.