The University of Waterloo’s innovative projects in international education were featured during a presentation facilitated by the High Commission of Canada in Australia to The Australian National University. Waterloo was represented by Waterloo International’s Dr Ishari Waduwara-Jayabahu and the Student Success Office’s Dr Sacha Geer who led a lively and informative discussion with representatives of The Australian National University’s Learning Abroad Community of Practice. In addition to some programming in development, Dr. Geer shared details of Waterloo’s Global Experience Certificate program, which combines an international experience with course work, volunteering, and reflection to support intercultural and language skills development. Dr Waduwara-Jayabahu shared the innovation practices that have been adapted at University of Waterloo in Virtual Internationalization as a result of the global pandemic. She also shared success stories using a proactive international relationship-building model that Waterloo International is currently implementing to engage with International partners using virtual platforms.
Both Waterloo speakers agreed that it was an honour to be invited by the High Commission to share the progress of The University of Waterloo’s innovative projects in international education with this top Australian university.
The Australian National University and the University of Waterloo have a rich history of inter-institutional connections: a student exchange agreement has been operating successfully for more than six years, and more than 55 co-authored articles (SCIVAL data, 2017 to >2020, <=10 authors) have been published during the past two years. Augmenting those collaborations with links between the two universities’ teams of professional services staff was most welcomed. Indeed, both Waterloo speakers found it to be an informative and inspiring session, and expressed appreciation not only to their Australian colleagues for engagement, but also to the High Commission of Canada in Australia for the invitation.
Waterloo International will continue to steward the university’s relationship with Australian institutions, supporting the many connections and collaborations that exist and that are being developed.
