Hosting global 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 from the Office of Global Engagement 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.
“Meeting face-to-face affords us the chance to make personal connections, share perspectives and deepen relationships,” says Cheryl Dumaresq, Executive Director, Global Engagement. “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.”
UBC has welcomed eight international delegations and visitor groups so far in 2025 to its Vancouver campus. Highlights include:
The Hong Kong University of Science & Technology (Guangzhou)
A delegation from The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou) visited UBC’s Vancouver campus on Jan. 6 to explore new avenues for academic and research collaboration. Discussions focused on student exchange, study abroad programs and potential joint initiatives. During their visit, the delegation met with representatives from UBC’s Office of Global Engagement and the Vancouver Summer Program, and toured the Brock Commons Tallwood House Student Residence, gaining insights into UBC’s innovative approaches to sustainability and student experience.
Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile
Since signing a formal framework agreement in 1998, UBC and Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (UC Chile) have built a strong and enduring partnership, fostering joint research projects and academic exchanges, Dumaresq says.
Professor Pedro Bouchon, Vice President for Research at UC Chile, led a delegation to UBC in January to discuss expanding collaboration, particularly through UC Chile’s Network of Research Centres and Field Stations. The delegation met with UBC’s Faculty of Forestry, Faculty of Science, Office of the Vice-President Research & Innovation and Office of Global Engagement. Their visit included a tour of the Museum of Anthropology, and ended with a networking reception aimed at fostering new connections and deepening ties between researchers. While in BC, the UC Chile delegation also visited the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre on Vancouver Island, further reinforcing shared interests in marine and environmental research.
From left: Dr. Alejandro Perez-Matus, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (UC Chile); Sergio Guitart, Field Stations Coordinator, Office of Research, UC Chile; María Elena Boisier, Director, Office of Research, UC Chile; Professor Pedro Bouchon Aguirre, Vice President for Research, UC Chile; Allan Najum, Consul General of Chile in Vancouver. The group posed for a photograph at the Cultivating Connections with Chilean Partners Networking Event at Sage at UBC Vancouver (photo: Emily MacDougall)
From left: María Elena Boisier, Sergio Guitart, Professor Pedro Bouchon Aguirre, Tao Eastham, Head of Research Services, Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre, and Dr. Alejandro Perez-Matus at the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre on Vancouver Island (photo: Emily MacDougall)
IE University, Spain
A 23-member delegation from IE University visited UBC’s Vancouver campus on Jan. 29 for discussions on higher education trends in Canada, student mobility opportunities and best practices in international collaboration. The visit provided a platform to exchange insights on strategic priorities and explore future partnership opportunities. The delegation also participated in a campus tour led by the UBC Welcome Centre, offering a firsthand look at UBC’s academic and research environment.
German Ambassador’s visit
With the support of the German Consulate General in Vancouver, Her Excellency Tjorven Bellmann, the new German Ambassador to Canada, travelled to UBC in February.
“The visit highlights UBC’s strong and valued partnerships with Germany, and emphasizes a mutual commitment to fostering new impactful collaborations,” Dumaresq says.
During her stay, Ambassador Bellmann toured the TRIUMF Particle Accelerator Centre and the Stewart Blusson Quantum Matter Institute, widely considered two of Canada’s leading research facilities. She also met with UBC President and Vice-Chancellor Benoit-Antoine Bacon, and representatives from the Office of the Vice-President Research & Innovation and the Office of Global Engagement, to discuss opportunities for expanding academic and research collaboration between UBC and Germany. Read more about UBC’s expanding partnership with Germany.
From left: Dr. Andrea Damascelli, Scientific Director, Stewart Blusson Quantum Matter Institute (QMI); Her Excellency Tjorven Bellmann, German Ambassador to Canada; and Pinder Dosanjh, Facilities Director, QMI, during the Ambassador's recent visit to the QMI (photo: QMI)
Find out more about visiting international delegations to UBC’s Vancouver campus.
Read about international visits to the UBC Okanagan campus.