We have a lot to celebrate at the University of Waterloo.
A culture of excellence and innovation can be felt not just across campus, but around the world, and an element of internationalization is woven into many things we do. Internationalization is part of Waterloo’s past and clearly part of its future.
This is why I am delighted and honoured to have the opportunity as Associate Vice-President, International to lead Waterloo International and chair the Advisory Group on Advancing Internationalization.
Ian Rowlands, Associate Vice-President, International
I joined Waterloo in 1998 as an associate professor in the Faculty of Environment. For the past two decades, I have been teaching and researching in the areas of energy policy, environmental governance, and corporate sustainability, as well as serving in a variety of administrative roles, including two appointments as an Associate Dean in my faculty.
International education truly transformed my life. After completing my undergraduate degree, I left Canada for a nine-month graduate diploma in the United Kingdom, but didn’t return for good until more than a decade later. During my time overseas, I studied and lectured in the UK, conducted research in southern Africa, worked in Denmark, and travelled extensively. I come by my passion for “international” quite honestly!
Internationalization is something I’ve embraced throughout my career, and I’m eager to continue leading and working with the Waterloo International team to support and drive the University’s activity on international issues across a variety of areas.
Within the University’s Strategic Plan, global prominence and internationalization has been identified as an area in which Waterloo has distinguished itself with a goal of becoming one of the most internationalized universities in Canada. What has become very clear to me during the last year is that Waterloo achieves success when passion, commitment, and ability are supported and celebrated.
Waterloo International will support this success in different capacities by leading or, at times, catalyzing specific aspirations, providing critical services as needed, and supporting international activities in a co-ordination/facilitation role.
I welcome your feedback as Waterloo International continues to grow and develop and, most importantly, I invite you to contribute to the University’s activity on international issues. If you'd like me to speak at your event, or provide opening remarks, please use the web form to place a request. Please feel free to explore the Waterloo International website further to learn more about our initiatives or follow Waterloo International on Twitter @WaterlooINT.
