A message from Thomas Duever, Interim Vice-President, Academic and Provost.
As the University continues to enhance efficiency through streamlined operations and stronger coordination, we have identified opportunities to align efforts that advance Waterloo’s excellence in education, research, and impact worldwide through our global engagement.
Within the Strategic Enrolment Management (SEM) portfolio, we are developing a SEM framework that applies a data-driven approach to the cycle of activities related to outreach, recruitment, admissions, retention, and student satisfaction. The framework will integrate strategic goals, system constraints, government factors, market trends, and demographic influences on business decisions and outcomes affecting student enrolment. This integrated planning approach is bolstering Waterloo’s strategy for international engagement and remains at the core of creating a resilient, coordinated, and people-centred design of organizational operations and planning for the student lifecycle at the University.
In a review of the goals and functions of the SEM portfolio, the President, the Vice-President Research and International, and I determined that the international work of the University that is outside the scope of research would be moved into the SEM portfolio, within the newly created Global Engagement Office (GEO). Waterloo International has been closed and the GEO is now the central unit leading the University’s international strategy.
In collaboration with faculties and campus partners, the GEO will
- identify and operationalize strategic internationalization priorities,
- oversee the development of transnational education initiatives and associated revenue-generating opportunities,
- facilitate joint academic partnerships and programming, and
- coordinate incoming and outbound institutional international delegations.
The Safety Abroad team has transitioned to the Student Success Office under the leadership of Pam Charbonneau, which will continue to support international travel safety for faculty, staff, and students.
In parallel with the creation of the GEO, we are forming a new Global Engagement Steering Committee (GESC) that I will co-chair with the President. Membership of the GESC will include a broad range of senior leaders from across campus who will help reformulate and renew the University's international strategy. Operationalization of GESC will be coordinated by the GEO.
As highlighted in the Provost’s Advisory Committee on Building a Resilient University of Waterloo, an integrated planning approach is fundamental to creating a resilient and coordinated organization. The GEO plays a key role in advancing this approach by working together with teams across the institution to foster a unified vision for global engagement. For more information, please visit the Global Engagement website or reach out to the Provost’s Office if you have any questions.