News

Together with the FINCAPES Team at the University of Waterloo, Waterloo International hosted an MoU signing ceremony between the University of Waterloo and IPB University on 25^th September 2023 to strengthen our existing relationship and explore institution-wide collaboration initiatives. IPB University was represented by Rector Arif Satria (President-adjacent), Vice-Rector Deni Noviana, Dean of Graduate School Dodik Ridho Nurrochmat, Dean of Faculty of Forestry & Environment Naresworo Nugroho, and Chair of Woman’s Association Retna Widayawati.

We are aware that the recent diplomatic tensions between India and Canada have caused concern among many of our Indian students, faculty, staff and anyone with academic connections to India. We understand that these international matters can create a sense of uncertainty and apprehension, especially for those who are far from home.

Last week, an earthquake hit Morocco, and earlier this week, floods devastated Libya. Close to 10,000 people have reportedly been killed and hundreds of thousands have had their livelihoods and homes destroyed in an instant. 

On behalf of the University of Waterloo, I express my sadness at the loss of many lives and the catastrophic impacts for so many people following these natural disasters in North Africa.  I send my condolences to the families and communities devastated by these events. 

With the first week of a new academic year upon us, the team at Waterloo International is looking forward to a busy and impactful four months this coming term.  We already have a lot of activity on our schedule:

• We currently have more than 900 University of Waterloo members registered in the Safety Abroad System who are scheduled to depart in September for international travel.
• The majority of those outbound travellers are students going on co-operative education work terms or academic exchange terms.  Did you know that our International Agreements team stewards more than 100 agreements with universities around the world to promote successful outbound student mobility?
• Our International Operations team is looking forward to ensuring that the welcomes we give to incoming international delegations this term are – in spite of falling Autumn temperatures – incredibly warm, and that visitors’ experiences on our campus are exceptional.
• Our International Opportunities team is anticipating a new set of Global Affairs Canada opportunities being launched (keep your eyes on our dedicated webpage for that); the team is also working hard in advance of the University of Waterloo’s engagement with International Education Week (20-24 November 2023 – keep your eyes on that webpage too!).
• Our International Relations team will be supporting outbound senior leadership travel to multiple countries across two continents (Asia and Africa). More details will be forthcoming during the coming weeks.

It is hard to believe that summer – at least in the academic year sense – is drawing to a close! Here in Waterloo International, it has been a ‘full summer’. ‘Full’ for many included vacation time, which was wonderful, and ‘full’ also included impactful work to move internationalization forward at Waterloo in multiple ways. Check out these activities from the past two months:

On August 22^nd , Ian Rowlands (Associate Vice-President, International) and Amelia Burton (Associate Director, International Relations) travelled to Toronto for a series of meetings designed to strengthen Waterloo’s connections with the world.

Waterloo welcomed members of a French delegation to campus on April 25th to sign a new MOU with the National Institute for Research in Digital Science and Technology (INRIA). The MOU outlines a new framework for expanding research collaboration between the University of Waterloo and France.

Representatives from Waterloo International travelled to Vietnam recently to explore the potential for increased relations within the post-secondary educational landscape. As one of six of Canada's top 13 trading partners located within the Indo-Pacific region, it represents a substantial growth market for inter-university collaboration in the future.

The University of Waterloo was honoured to welcome His Excellency, Andrea Ferrari, Ambassador of Italy, Dr. Luca Zelioli, Consul General of Italy and Dr. Costanza Conti, Scientific Attaché, to campus last week. The delegation came to explore Waterloo’s innovative research activities in the areas of science and technology as well as to explore Waterloo’s robust innovation ecosystem.

Waterloo International was pleased to host the Toronto-based French Consul General, Tudor Alexis, and delegates from the French Embassy in Ottawa this week to discuss ongoing Waterloo-France relations and to explore shared interests for future collaboration.