OGE Annual Highlights - 2026
This page showcases the highlights of visits and delegations organized and supported by the Office of Global Engagement during 2026. It is a testament of UVic's strong ties and relationships with institutions all over the world.
February
Hosting ECNU delegation
OGE had the pleasure of hosting Dr. Zhang Rui and Ms. Sun Yi from East China Normal University. They also met with representatives from the Gustavson School of Business, the Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science, and Alumni Relations. It was a great opportunity to further strengthen the partnership between ECNU and UVic. We are looking forward to celebrating the 45th anniversary of UVic’s partnership with ECNU in April 2026!
OGE at APAIE 2026
AVP Dr. A.R. (Elango) Elangovan, Sheryl Karras and Xianjing Zhang participated in this year’s Asia-Pacific Association for International Education Conference (APAIE) in Hong Kong. APAIE aims to connect Asia-Pacific higher education organizations and advance international education. It was a wonderful opportunity for OGE representatives, along with colleagues from other UVic units including the Division of Continuing Studies, International Centre for Students and the Gustavson School of Business, to meet with our esteemed international partners, make new connections, and engage in valuable discussions.
March
UVic’s First Canadian TNE Program in Thailand
Global Engagement is proud to contribute to this historic milestone as UVic signed an agreement with Siam University and Nurture Higher Education Group to launch UVic’s first Canadian TNE master’s program in Thailand. The dual‑degree model allows students to earn a UVic Masters in Management and an MBA from Siam University through one integrated program delivered in Bangkok. The signing brought together senior leaders from all three institutions and underscored UVic’s commitment to impactful global partnerships. Our office was pleased to work closely with campus and international partners to help bring this innovative program to life, expanding opportunities for learners in the region.
Dr. Elangovan Engages Faculty and Students Abroad
During the recent trip to Global Academy at Siam University in Thailand, Dr. A.R. Elangovan led two inspiring masterclasses on campus. He first met with faculty for “The Poetry of Teaching,” encouraging educators to view teaching as an art that sparks curiosity and imagination. He then delivered a strategic leadership session for students, challenging them to think boldly about what it means to grow as multi‑dimensional leaders.
Student Info Session: Schwarzman Scholars Program Visit
We were pleased to host representatives from the Schwarzman Scholars program for an engaging student information session. Schwarzman Scholars is a highly prestigious, fully funded one‑year master’s program in global affairs at Tsinghua University, one of the world’s top-ranked universities.
VPRI trip to Japan
Lisa Kalynchuk, Vice-President Research & Innovation, and Joaquin Trapero, Executive Director, Strategic Research Initiatives, recently visited the Tokyo University of Marine Science and Technology (TUMSAT) to advance the long-standing partnership established in 2012, including the hybrid co-op exchange between the two institutions. In preparation for the visit, our office provided briefing materials and background reports to support informed and productive discussions. This cross unit collaboration reflects UVic’s commitment to strengthening and expanding strategic international relationships.
New Indo-Pacific Scholarship Announced
Indo-Pacific Scholarships and Fellowships for Canadians (IPSFC) is now live. We’ve added full details about the new scholarship to our website. You can find details here.
April
Celebrating 45 Years of Partnership with ECNU
It was our honour to welcome a delegation from East China Normal University (ECNU) as we proudly celebrated the 45th anniversary of the international partnership with UVic, a milestone made especially meaningful by ECNU being UVic’s first partner in China and UVic serving as ECNU’s first global partner. This celebration was truly a joint effort, featuring keynote remarks from UVic’s Acting President Dr. Robina Thomas and ECNU’s Vice President Dr. Qili Lei, a ceremonial plaque exchange, and participation from faculty and staff, followed by collaborative discussion sessions on “Global understanding through culture and exchange” and “Reading, writing and robots: How AI changes education” that fostered rich discussion and new ideas.
International Community of Practice
The UVic International Community of Practice (ICoP) connects colleagues across campus with shared interests in international initiatives, provides a space for learning, collaboration, and community-building. ICoP meets a few times a year to discuss relevant topics and recent updates. To date, we have over 90 members in ICoP, from more than a dozen units on campus. In April, our featured guest speaker was Cynthia Milton, the new director for the UVic Centre for Global Studies (CFGS).
May
Philippine Embassy Delegation Visits UVic
On May 6, UVic was honoured to welcome His Excellency Jose Victor V. Chan-Gonzaga, Philippine Ambassador to Canada, and Consul General Gina Jamoralin for meaningful discussions with campus partners. The visit included a meeting with UVic Acting President Robina Thomas, and a roundtable discussion with representatives from the Office of Global Engagement, Pacific and Asian Studies, Division of Continuing Studies, International Centre for Students, CIFAL Victoria, Gustavson School of Business and Centre for Asia-Pacific Initiatives. The discussion provided an opportunity to exchange insights and explore areas for collaboration. It was inspiring to see UVic’s global units come together around shared interests and opportunities related to the Philippines in the relevant areas of research, innovation, talent and workforce development, and mobility.
Consuls General Visit UVic During ECSA-C Conference
On May 15, Consuls General from France, Ireland, Poland and Romania visited UVic during the 2026 ECSA-C Biennial Conference where they participated in a roundtable panel titled EU-Consular Perspectives in BC. The Office of Global Engagement welcomed the delegation for a day of campus activities, meetings with university partners, and student engagement, highlighting opportunities for collaboration and support.
EU Delegation Visit Highlights Global Research Impact at UVic
On May 20, the Office of Global Engagement organized an opportunity to host researchers, students, and Heads of Mission from 12 EU member states to explore how international collaboration can address global challenges.
UVic was honoured to welcome Her Excellency Geneviève Tuts, Ambassador of the European Union to Canada, for leading the delegation of representatives from Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, and Slovakia.
Delegates engaged with representatives of diverse campus units including climate solutions, aerospace, indigenous scholarship and European studies, who highlighted programs like the Coastal Climate Solutions Leaders Graduate Program, the Centre for Aerospace Research, Indigenous Governance and JD/JID, and European Studies at UVic.
June
Celebrating 25 Years of Scholars at Risk
Thank you to everyone who joined us in recognizing the 25th anniversary of the Scholars at Risk Network under the theme “Truth Matters.” The event featured insightful reflections from Dr. Rick Cotton on the importance of global collaboration, resilience, and academic freedom, as well as a powerful personal perspective from Raghib Azizi, a Scholar at Risk and Visiting Researcher at the Gustavson School of Business. Through engaging presentations and meaningful dialogue, participants explored the vital role in strengthening a more connected and resilient academic community.
Leibniz Association Visit to UVic
UVic recently welcomed Dr. Nadine Herold, Scientific Officer with the Leibniz Association, for a productive discussion on research priorities and international collaboration. The visit provided an opportunity to learn about UVic’s research strengths and internationalization strategy, explore areas of mutual interest, and discuss potential opportunities for future collaboration, scientific exchange, and partnership development.
OGE Hosts Central European University Representatives
OGE welcomed Dorottya Urai, Global Partnership Officer, and Anna Szathmári, Erasmus+ Partnerships Officer, from Central European University (Austria). The visit brought together members of the Global Engagement team for a productive exchange on internationalization priorities, student mobility, and partnership development. Discussions focused on opportunities to strengthen collaboration through the Erasmus+ program, share best practices, and explore future academic and institutional partnerships between UVic and CEU. Thank you to colleagues from units across campus who warmly welcomed the visitors and shared insights into their unit's work, strategic priorities, and community engagement.
