Morneau Shepell wins PIEoneer Award for international student support

International Student Support Program recognized as leader in global education

TORONTO, Sept. 29, 2017 /CNW/ - Morneau Shepell (TSX: MSI) has been awarded the student support award for its International Student Support Program (ISSP) at the inaugural PIEoneer Awards, which celebrates the most innovative work being done across the international education sector. The awards will be held annually by The PIE (Professionals in International Education), an independent media and recruitment company offering services for professionals working in international education around the world. Winners were announced at the awards ceremony in London, England on September 8, 2017.

"The continued success of the ISSP is a testament of our commitment to developing cutting-edge programs that deliver the best possible experience for our clients," said Stephen Liptrap, president and chief executive officer, Morneau Shepell. "Our approach is focused on innovation and excellent client service across industries. The ISSP is an important tool to complement an academic institution's strategy of international student success, to help students feel comfortable in their studies and to ensure schools are the desired destination for higher education."

Morneau Shepell's ISSP was developed in response to the prevalence of mental health issues and low help-seeking behaviour among international students. Designed to complement academic institutions' existing on-campus services, the ISSP connects at-risk international students with support in their native language and cultural context. The ISSP is available through instant 24/7 chat via an app, online and by telephone, in addition to providing ongoing support through telephone and video chat.

"We are pleased to present Morneau Shepell with this year's Student Support award for the incredible work the company is doing in the international education community," said Amy Baker, managing director and co-founder, The PIE. "Judges were impressed by Morneau Shepell's service, as it has demonstrated a positive impact on the academic success and retention of international students who are typically less likely to seek support."

Since its inception, the ISSP has received numerous accolades and recognition, including the eHealthcare Leadership Awards, the 2017 Employee Assistance European Forum's Innovation of the Year award and the Digital Health Awards.

"Being an international student is an exciting experience for many, but it can also be a stressful and isolating one," said Matthew McEvoy, senior director, student support, Morneau Shepell. "We are honoured to be recognized by The PIE for our innovation in international student support and we are proud to partner with institutions that are dedicated to improving the lives of their students."

The PIEoneer awards received over 300 entry submissions from 39 countries, with winners spanning across 12 categories. More information about this award can be found at https://pieoneerawards.com.

About Morneau Shepell

Morneau Shepell is the only human resources consulting and technology company that takes an integrated approach to employee assistance, health, benefits and retirement needs. The Company is the leading provider of employee and family assistance programs, the largest administrator of retirement and benefits plans and the largest provider of integrated absence management solutions in Canada. As a leader in strategic HR consulting and innovative pension design, the Company helps clients solve complex workforce problems and provides integrated productivity, health and retirement solutions. Established in 1966, Morneau Shepell serves approximately 20,000 clients, ranging from small businesses to some of the largest corporations and associations. With more than 4,000 employees in offices across North America, Morneau Shepell provides services to organizations across Canada, in the United States and around the globe. Morneau Shepell is a publicly-traded company on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: MSI). For more information, visit morneaushepell.com.

SOURCE Morneau Shepell Inc.