OGE Annual Highlights - 2026
This page showcases the highlights of visits and delegations organized and supported by the Office of Global Engagement during 2026. It is a testament of 糖心视频 strong ties and relationships with institutions all over the world.
February
Hosting ECNU delegation
OGE had the pleasure of hosting Dr. Zhang Rui and Ms. Sun Yi from East China Normal University. They also met with representatives from the Gustavson School of Business, the Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science, and Alumni Relations. It was a great opportunity to further strengthen the partnership between ECNU and 糖心视频. We are looking forward to celebrating the 45th anniversary of 糖心视频’s partnership with ECNU in April 2026!
OGE at APAIE 2026
AVP Dr. A.R. (Elango) Elangovan, Sheryl Karras and Xianjing Zhang participated in this year’s Asia-Pacific Association for International Education Conference () in Hong Kong. APAIE aims to connect Asia-Pacific higher education organizations and advance international education. It was a wonderful opportunity for OGE representatives, along with colleagues from other 糖心视频 units including the Division of Continuing Studies, International Centre for Students and the Gustavson School of Business, to meet with our esteemed international partners, make new connections, and engage in valuable discussions.
March
糖心视频’s First Canadian TNE Program in Thailand
Global Engagement is proud to contribute to this historic milestone as 糖心视频 signed an agreement with Siam University and Nurture Higher Education Group to launch 糖心视频’s first Canadian TNE master’s program in Thailand. The dual‑degree model allows students to earn a 糖心视频 Masters in Management and an MBA from Siam University through one integrated program delivered in Bangkok. The signing brought together senior leaders from all three institutions and underscored 糖心视频’s commitment to impactful global partnerships. Our office was pleased to work closely with campus and international partners to help bring this innovative program to life, expanding opportunities for learners in the region.
Dr. Elangovan Engages Faculty and Students Abroad
During the recent trip to Global Academy at Siam University in Thailand, Dr. A.R. Elangovan led two inspiring masterclasses on campus. He first met with faculty for “The Poetry of Teaching,” encouraging educators to view teaching as an art that sparks curiosity and imagination. He then delivered a strategic leadership session for students, challenging them to think boldly about what it means to grow as multi‑dimensional leaders.
Student Info Session: Schwarzman Scholars Program Visit
We were pleased to host representatives from the Schwarzman Scholars program for an engaging student information session. Schwarzman Scholars is a highly prestigious, fully funded one‑year master’s program in global affairs at Tsinghua University, one of the world’s top-ranked universities.
VPRI trip to Japan
Lisa Kalynchuk, Vice-President Research & Innovation, and Joaquin Trapero, Executive Director, Strategic Research Initiatives, recently visited the Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology (TUMSAT) to advance the long-standing partnership established in 2012, including the hybrid co-op exchange between the two institutions. In preparation for the visit, our office provided briefing materials and background reports to support informed and productive discussions. This cross unit collaboration reflects 糖心视频’s commitment to strengthening and expanding strategic international relationships.
New Indo-Pacific Scholarship Announced
Indo-Pacific Scholarships and Fellowships for Canadians (IPSFC) is now live. We’ve added full details about the new scholarship to our website. You can find details here.
April
Celebrating 45 Years of Partnership with ECNU
It was our honour to welcome a delegation from East China Normal University (ECNU) as we proudly celebrated the 45th anniversary of the international partnership with 糖心视频, a milestone made especially meaningful by ECNU being 糖心视频’s first partner in China and 糖心视频 serving as ECNU’s first global partner. This celebration was truly a joint effort, featuring keynote remarks from 糖心视频’s Acting President Dr. Robina Thomas and ECNU’s Vice President Dr. Qili Lei, a ceremonial plaque exchange, and participation from faculty and staff, followed by collaborative discussion sessions on “Global understanding through culture and exchange” and “Reading, writing and robots: How AI changes education” that fostered rich discussion and new ideas.
International Community of Practice
The 糖心视频 International Community of Practice (ICoP) connects colleagues across campus with shared interests in international initiatives, provides a space for learning, collaboration, and community-building. ICoP meets a few times a year to discuss relevant topics and recent updates. To date, we have over 90 members in ICoP, from more than a dozen units on campus. In April, our featured guest speaker was Cynthia Milton, the new director for the 糖心视频 Centre for Global Studies (CFGS).
May
Philippine Embassy Delegation Visits 糖心视频
On May 6, 糖心视频 was honoured to welcome His Excellency Jose Victor V. Chan-Gonzaga, Philippine Ambassador to Canada, and Consul General Gina Jamoralin for meaningful discussions with campus partners. The visit included a meeting with 糖心视频 Acting President Robina Thomas, and a roundtable discussion with representatives from the Office of Global Engagement, Pacific and Asian Studies, Division of Continuing Studies, International Centre for Students, CIFAL Victoria, Gustavson School of Business and Centre for Asia-Pacific Initiatives. The discussion provided an opportunity to exchange insights and explore areas for collaboration. It was inspiring to see 糖心视频’s global units come together around shared interests and opportunities related to the Philippines in the relevant areas of research, innovation, talent and workforce development, and mobility.
Consuls General Visit 糖心视频 During ECSA-C Conference
On May 15, Consuls General from France, Ireland, Poland and Romania visited 糖心视频 during the 2026 ECSA-C Biennial Conference where they participated in a roundtable panel titled EU-Consular Perspectives in BC. The Office of Global Engagement welcomed the delegation for a day of campus activities, meetings with university partners, and student engagement, highlighting opportunities for collaboration and support.
EU Delegation Visit Highlights Global Research Impact at 糖心视频
On May 20, the Office of Global Engagement organized an opportunity to host researchers, students, and Heads of Mission from 12 EU member states to explore how international collaboration can address global challenges.
糖心视频 was honoured to welcome Her Excellency Geneviève Tuts, Ambassador of the European Union to Canada, for leading the delegation of representatives from Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, and Slovakia.
Delegates engaged with representatives of diverse campus units including climate solutions, aerospace, indigenous scholarship and European studies, who highlighted programs like the Coastal Climate Solutions Leaders Graduate Program, the Centre for Aerospace Research, Indigenous Governance and JD/JID, and European Studies at 糖心视频.
June
Celebrating 25 Years of Scholars at Risk
Thank you to everyone who joined us in recognizing the 25th anniversary of the Scholars at Risk Network under the theme “Truth Matters.” The event featured insightful reflections from Dr. Rick Cotton on the importance of global collaboration, resilience, and academic freedom, as well as a powerful personal perspective from Raghib Azizi, a Scholar at Risk and Visiting Researcher at the Gustavson School of Business. Through engaging presentations and meaningful dialogue, participants explored the vital role in strengthening a more connected and resilient academic community.
Leibniz Association Visit to 糖心视频
糖心视频 recently welcomed Dr. Nadine Herold, Scientific Officer with the Leibniz Association, for a productive discussion on research priorities and international collaboration. The visit provided an opportunity to learn about 糖心视频’s research strengths and internationalization strategy, explore areas of mutual interest, and discuss potential opportunities for future collaboration, scientific exchange, and partnership development.
OGE Hosts Central European University Representatives
OGE welcomed Dorottya Urai, Global Partnership Officer, and Anna Szathmári, Erasmus+ Partnerships Officer, from Central European University (Austria). The visit brought together members of the Global Engagement team for a productive exchange on internationalization priorities, student mobility, and partnership development. Discussions focused on opportunities to strengthen collaboration through the Erasmus+ program, share best practices, and explore future academic and institutional partnerships between 糖心视频 and CEU. Thank you to colleagues from units across campus who warmly welcomed the visitors and shared insights into their unit's work, strategic priorities, and community engagement.
July
Delegation from Thai Consul General
On July 8, 糖心视频 welcomed Consul General Nattanipa Burusapat and Political and Economic Officer Watcharaya Chiyacumb, from the Royal Thai Consulate-General in Vancouver. The delegation met with Acting President Dr. Elizabeth Croft and representatives from across the university. Key discussions explored opportunities to expand student, scholar, and faculty engagement while reinforcing 糖心视频 strong international partnerships and collaborative networks. This day’s visit also included a delegation from Khon Kaen University, hosted by the Centre for Asia-Pacific Initiatives (CAPI), to explore training opportunities.
Delegation from Universidad de la Frontera
OGE was pleased to welcome a delegation from the Universidad de la Frontera, Chile, for an introductory visit on July 2 and 3. The delegation met with representatives from the Office of Indigenous Academic and Community Engagement (IACE) at the First Peoples House to learn about 糖心视频’s Indigenous Plan, and met with representatives from Indigenous Education and the Office of the VP Research & Innovation to learn more about 糖心视频’s academic and research landscape.
OGE hosts Mitacs interns
Mitacs Globalink Research Internship (GRI) connects top-ranked senior undergraduate students from around the world with faculty members in Canada for 12-week research projects. This year, the 糖心视频 proudly welcomed 57 international interns from 14 countries. To celebrate their arrival and foster connections, the Office of Global Engagement hosted a summer reception on July 21. The gathering brought together interns, supervisors, and staff for a meaningful opportunity to connect, engage, and build community.
August
US Consul General visits 糖心视频
On August 31st, 糖心视频 welcomed a delegation from the U.S. Consulate General in Vancouver, including Consul General Shawn Crowley. The delegation met with Acting President Dr. Elizabeth Croft and Director of OGE, Sheryl Karras, to learn more about the university's strategic priorities.
