Hosting leaders, dignitaries and delegations from universities and research institutions from around the world, and creating valuable engagement opportunities, is central to the work of the UBC Office of Global Engagement and its Global Partnerships team.
Staff coordinate visits, advise on hosting arrangements and organize meetings for current and potential partners with UBC administration, faculty, students and research teams. The team also supports UBC faculty bringing international scholars and university administrators to UBC.
Says Cheryl Dumaresq, Executive Director, Global Engagement: “Meeting face-to-face affords us the chance to make personal connections, share perspectives and deepen relationships. Much of UBC’s progress in innovative research and the development of transformative student learning programs comes from our impactful global partnerships and interdisciplinary collaborations.”
Here are highlights from recent delegations and visitors to the UBC Vancouver campus:
Consular Corps reception at UBC’s Museum of Anthropology
UBC welcomed members of the Consular Corps of British Columbia for a curated private tour of the Museum of Anthropology, followed by a formal reception, with senior leaders from both UBC Vancouver and UBC Okanagan in attendance, to thank the Consular Corps for their vital role in fostering global connections and supporting the university’s global initiatives. “The event was also a meaningful opportunity to strengthen relationships with the Consular Corps,” says Dumaresq, “whose contributions are instrumental in advancing UBC’s global engagement by facilitating partnerships, supporting students and researchers, and enabling new pathways for collaboration and funding.”
Members of the Consular Corps of British Columbia and Museum of Anthropology staff at the Museum of Anthropology on the UBC Vancouver campus in April 2025 (photo: Emily MacDougall)
Taiwan Ministry of Education award winners at UBC
With the support of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Vancouver, UBC welcomed two groups of award-winning educators from Taiwan on April 22 and May 6. The visiting teachers, from both K–12 schools and post-secondary institutions, received the prestigious Shiduo Awards, the highest honour granted by the Taiwanese Ministry of Education in recognition of outstanding service.
As part of the award program, the Ministry organized an international tour for recipients to exchange knowledge and explore best practices at UBC and other institutions across British Columbia. During their visit to UBC, the delegates met with the UBC Centre for Teaching, Learning and Technology (CTLT) to learn about how the CTLT enhances and transforms teaching practices to support student learning. The visit aim was to build connections, share expertise and strengthen educational ties between UBC and Taiwan.
Haochen Li, Office of Global Engagement staff, presents to the Taiwan Ministry of Education delegation at UBC Vancouver (photo: Matt Stevenson)
President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Queensland
The University of Queensland (UQ), a long-standing partner of UBC, recently visited the Vancouver campus to strengthen high-level institutional relationships, explore areas of strategic alignment, and identify opportunities for broad collaboration between the two universities.
The UQ delegation was led by President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry and met with UBC President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Benoit-Antoine Bacon, as well as colleagues from the Office of Global Engagement, Development and Alumni Engagement, Innovation UBC, and the Faculty of Applied Science.
From left: Emily MacDougall, Director, Global Partnerships, Office of Global Engagement, UBC; Brett Lovegrove, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Global Partnerships, UQ; Professor Deborah Terry, President and Vice-Chancellor, UQ; Dr. Benoit-Antoine Bacon, UBC President and Vice-Chancellor; Jennifer Karlson, Vice-President, Advancement and Community Engagement, UQ; Kayla Warner: Manager, Strategy and Partnerships, Global Strategy and Partnerships, UQ (photo: Cheryl Dumaresq)
University of Amsterdam at UBC Office of Global Engagement
Delegates from the University of Amsterdam, a long-standing student mobility partner of UBC, travelled to UBC to meet with the Office of Global Engagement. The visit focused on sharing best practices in student exchange matching and partner engagement, and exploring new opportunities to strengthen collaboration.
From left: Guido de Wilde, Manager, International Student Affairs, and Willeke Jeeninga, Manager Global Partnerships, from University of Amsterdam, on UBC’s Vancouver campus (photo: Guido de Wilde)
University of Helsinki meets with UBC Faculty of Forestry
Mikko Moilanen, Specialist, International exchange services and education cooperation, from the University of Helsinki, met with UBC’s Faculty of Forestry to celebrate the recent launch of the Dual Master’s in Green Business, a program jointly offered by UBC and the University of Helsinki. A novel offering in the field, the program is designed to equip early-career professionals with the skills needed to lead in the growing bioeconomy and drive innovation in sustainable business practices.
Inserm France representative on the UBC Vancouver campus
Dr. Fabien Agenes, Director of the Inserm Representative Office in North America, travelled to UBC to gain a deeper understanding of recent developments across the university’s laboratories and research institutes: specifically, global strategies and priorities, areas of expertise and areas for potential collaboration.
While on the Vancouver campus, Dr. Agenes met with colleagues from the Office of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation; the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; the Michael Smith Laboratories; Canada’s Immuno-Engineering and Biomanufacturing Hub; the Department of Psychiatry; the Edwin S.H. Leong Centre for Healthy Aging; and the Department of Medical Genetics.
From left: Dr. Fabien Agenes, Director of the Inserm Representative Office in North America; Dr. Rachel Fernandez, Associate Vice-President, Research and Innovation, Office of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation; Dr. Géraldine Dantelle: Science and Higher Education Attachée, Consulate General of France in Vancouver; Paola Baca, Senior Manager, Engagement for Horizon Europe, Office of the Vice-President Research and Innovation on the UBC Vancouver campus (photo: Emily MacDougall)
UBC signs new partnership agreement with Pohang University of Science and Technology in Korea
Cheryl Dumaresq, Executive Director, Global Engagement, participated in a signing ceremony alongside the President of Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) and British Columbia Premier David Eby at the Embassy of Canada to the Republic of Korea. The ceremony marked the formalization of a Student Mobility Agreement between UBC and POSTECH, an initial step forward in providing transformative global learning experiences for students. The gathering was a part of Premier David Eby’s 10-day trade mission to Asia June 1 to 10. UBC faculty and staff joined stops in Japan and South Korea.
From left: British Columbia Premier David Eby; Cheryl Dumaresq, Executive Director, Global Engagement, UBC; Sung-Min Park, Vice President of External Affairs, POSTECH; Seong Keun Kim, President, POSTECH (photo: Premier David Eby)
British Columbia International Education Week Delegates at UBC
In and around the British Columbia International Education Week Conference, delegates from institutions in China, Ecuador, Mexico, the Philippines and Thailand visited UBC Vancouver to hear about the university’s global engagement efforts and explore collaboration possibilities. Delegates met with UBC units such as the Office of Global Engagement, English Language Institute and Vancouver Summer Program, as well as took guided campus tours.
Representatives from UBC’s Office of Global Engagement, English Language Institute and Vancouver Summer Program met with delegates from Asociación Nacional de Universidades e Instituciones de Educación Superior, the Embassy of Canada in Mexico, Universidad de Monterrey, Universidad Iberoamericana and Universidad Panamericana (photo: Matt Stevenson)
Haochen Li, with the UBC Office of Global Engagement, presents to the Thailand delegation on the UBC Vancouver campus (photo: Matt Stevenson)