OGE Annual Highlights - 2025
This page showcases the highlights of visits and delegations organized and supported by the Office of Global Engagement during 2025. It is a testament of UVic's strong ties and relationships with institutions all over the world.
February
Delegation of Francophone Ambassadors
On February 24, the Office of Global Engagement welcomed a group of 15 Ambassadors who visited UVic to learn about our programs, research, and global endeavours. Thank you to Elizabeth Croft, Vice-President Academic and Provost, and Joaquin Trapero, Executive Director, Strategic Research Initiatives, for attending the meeting and sharing information with the visitors.
International Community of Practice
The February edition of the International Community of Practice was a dynamic and engaging session! OGE shared updates on the Transnational Education project, while the Center for Global Studies provided valuable insights from their ongoing projects. It was a fantastic exchange of ideas!
March
Campus Kudos (Global Edition)
In a special edition of Campus Kudos, nearly sixty staff, faculty, and students were recognized for their exceptional global engagement - making a lasting impact on our campus, in our region, and around the world. Hosted in collaboration with the Office of the President and the Office of Global Engagement, the event celebrated those whose dedication to international work is strengthening UVic as a globally engaged university.
Uvic at APAIE 2025 in India
Representatives from UVic ICS, OGE and Co-op and Careers attended the 2025 APAIE (Asia-Pacific Association for International Education) Conference, held in Delhi, India from March 24–28. Centered around the theme “Cultivating Global Citizens for the Future: The Higher Education Imperative in the Asia Pacific and Beyond.”
OGE visits to Thailand and China
This month some of our staff members are visiting international partners. Sheryl Karras, Director, Office of Global Engagement, spent time at Siam University and Global Academy, in Thailand. Sheryl, along with Xianjing Zhang, Global Engagement Officer, and Ralf St. Clair, Professor of Curriculum and Instruction, Faculty of Education, visited Soochow University, in China.
April
Delegation from the University of Waikato
OGE welcomed a visitor from a long-standing partner institution, the University of Waikato. Iain White, Assistant Vice Chancellor Impact, engaged in discussions with a number of campus colleagues about possible new avenues of collaboration. Participating units included the Office of VP Research & Innovation, the Pacific Climate Impacts Consortium, the Accelerating Community Energy Transformation initiative, the Institute for Integrated Energy Systems, the Faculty of Law, and and Ocean Networks Canada.
OGE strengthening ties in China
Staff of OGE and other UVic colleagues visited international partners in China. Sheryl Karras, Director, Office of Global Engagement, along with Xianjing Zhang, Global Engagement Officer, and Ralf St. Clair, Professor of Curriculum and Instruction, Faculty of Education, visited East China Normal University (ECNU). Sheryl and Xianjing also visited Hangzhou Dianzi University to support the finalization of an articulation agreement with the Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science. Their final stop took them to Yunnan University, a partner for the Faculty of Fine Arts, where they were joined by Dr. Xuekui Zhang (Department of Mathematics and Statistics) to review a new departmental agreement.
GAC students meet & greet
OGE hosted an April gathering with ELAP, SiCS, and SEED scholarship recipients as they wrap up their scholarship program at UVic. This academic year, UVic welcomed undergraduate and graduate students from Brazil, Kenya, Morocco, Panama, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.
International Community of Practice
The April edition of our International Community of Practice was a dynamic and engaging session. OGE shared updates on database project and we welcomed special guests from the K4C Dr. Budd Hall and Dr. Rajesh Tandon (UNESCO Co-Chairs in Community Based Research and Social Responsibility in Higher Education), and Dr. Alfonso Reyes, former President of the University of Ibagué, Colombia.
May
Africa Day@ UVic
OGE honoured Africa Day with a special gathering that brought together UVic President Kevin Hall, AVP Global Engagement A.R. Elango, Dr. Patrick Makokoro and many faculty, staff, and students engaged in work related to Africa. This inaugural event celebrated existing connections and created a space for dialogue about UVic’s current and future engagement with Africa partners, communities, and scholarship.
World Partnership Walk
In May 23, UVic Staff and Faculty joined the World Partnership Walk, a global initiative led by the Aga Khan Foundation Canada. With this initiative, the UVic team raised funds to fight poverty and improve the quality of life for people in Africa and Asia. This year we were accompanied by Verena Gründler, Director International Office and Sabine Rein, President of the HTWG Konstanz University of Applied Sciences.
Partner Days
The Office of Global Engagement was proud to be one of the organizers of the UVic International Partner Event, ahead of the NAFSA conference in San Diego. The event was a great success, featuring a session led by our AVP A. R. (Elango) Elangovan and offering valuable opportunities for dialogue, collaboration, and connection with our global partners.
June
Delegation from the University of Liverpool
On June 3 2025, representatives from the Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences at the University of Liverpool visited UVic and met with different units across campus to explore potential academic and research partnerships. Thank you to everyone from our Faculty of Social Sciences, Faculty of Humanities, Office of VP Research & Innovation, Centre for Asia-Pacific Initiatives, and Centre for Global Studies who participated in the meetings. We look forward to continuing our discussions about collaborations with the University of Liverpool.
Delegation from Mexican universities
On June 19 2025, OGE was pleased to welcome a delegation of representatives from universities in Mexico. The delegates were from Universidad Iberoamericana, Universidad de Monterrey, Universidad Panamericana, and the Trade Commissioner and Academic Affairs Office in the Embassy of Canada in Mexico. The visitors enjoyed touring our beautiful campus and engaging in conversations with colleagues from the Division of Continuing Studies, Office of VP Research and Innovation, Gustavson School of Business and the Innovation Center.
July
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 University of Victoria proudly welcomed 37 international interns. To celebrate their arrival and foster connections, the Office of Global Engagement hosted a summer reception on campus, bringing together interns, supervisors, and staff for a meaningful opportunity to connect, engage, and build community.
OGE hosts staff from FH Joanneum University of Applied Sciences,
Austria
OGE was delighted to welcome Petra Renner from FH Joanneum University of Applied Sciences, Graz, Austria. Petra’s one week visit to UVic created the opportunity for us to share knowledge and learn about each other’s work and experiences.
(FH Joanneum University of Applied Sciences (FHJ) is one of 4 institutions that comprise the CANEU-COOP program. UVic has had 30 students go to FH Joanneum University of Applied Sciences for Co-op work terms since 2010).
September
OGE hosts scholarship recipients
OGE hosted a gathering with ELAP, SiCS, and SEED scholarship recipients from Brazil, Peru, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam as they start their scholarship programs at UVic.
OGE hosts Vietnamese delegation
It has been a pleasure to host the delegation from National Economics University, Vietnam. Their visit focused on exploring partnership in student exchange and co-op opportunities. We’re grateful for the thoughtful engagement and shared enthusiasm for knowledge exchange.
October
Consul General of Poland's Visit Marked by Exhibition and Student Meetup
OGE hosted a visit from the Consul General of Poland in Vancouver, Aleksandra Kucy, on Thursday, October 9. Consul General Kucy had a productive day with discussions with OGE, Centre for Global Studies, Office of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation, and an opportunity to engage with students in the afternoon. We were grateful to have collaborated with the consulate to organize a photo exhibition on Polish Architects’ work in Vancouver in the McPherson Library in October.
Hosting the British Consul General in Vancouver at OGE
OGE had the pleasure to host Thomas Codrington, the British Consul General in Vancouver, on October 27. During the visit, the Consul General met with representatives from OGE and the Office of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation. Discussions centered on shared priorities and research strengths, with particular interest in advancing collaboration in artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, and life sciences.
November
Delegation from Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne University
We were pleased to welcome a delegation from PARIS 1 PANTHÉON-SORBONNE UNIVERSITY
in November for an introductory visit aimed at exploring opportunities for academic and
research collaboration. The delegation also met with the Office of the Vice President Research
and Innovation, Faculty of Law and Faculty of Humanities and together we discussed
potential avenues for partnership between our institutions. We look forward to building this
promising connection.
Hosting the Consul General of Pakistan
On November 26, OGE hosted the Consul General of Pakistan in Vancouver, Shahzad
Hussain. Key discussion points included opportunities for student, scholar, and faculty
engagement, and our existing international connections. We look forward to continuing this
dialogue and identifying meaningful avenues for cooperation with the Consulate General of
Pakistan.
