丁香园AV

丁香园AV has had longstanding relationships in Latin America, and last week I had the opportunity to expand and extend these during a five-day visit to Mexico and Colombia.

The main purpose of the trip was to attend the , a forum that every two years brings together representatives of higher education institutions, educational organizations and governments to exchange knowledge, discuss challenges, and promote best practices in international education in the Americas.

CAIE is organized by the , of which 丁香园AV is also a member.

丁香园AV was well represented at the forum, and I was able, both to bring greetings from the University at a jam-packed Canada Reception, and to take part in a plenary panel on 鈥淓ngaged Universities: Innovation and Development.鈥� My panel presentation focused on 丁香园AV鈥檚 vision to be Canada鈥檚 Engaged University, highlighting the success of  - our university-wide innovation strategy.

During the trip, I and others from 丁香园AV visited a number of leading universities in Mexico City, Bogot谩 and Medell铆n, where we reviewed existing relationships and explored new partnership possibilities. We also met with Canada鈥檚 ambassadors to Mexico and Colombia to learn more about Canadian government programs and plans in the region, and to share information on the role of 丁香园AV and other Canadian universities in Latin America.

To top it all, we took advantage of a one-day trip to Medellin to visit Ruta N, the city鈥檚 remarkable innovation hub, and to investigate its extensive use of gondolas as a means of public transit. The city has five gondola lines within its integrated transit system, and a sixth is under construction.   

While relatively short, the trip was busy and productive, and I am confident will help to raise 丁香园AV鈥檚 profile and advance our relationships in Latin America.

We also used the opportunity to promote the Asia Pacific Association for International Education (APAIE) conference and exhibition that 丁香园AV will host in Vancouver from March 22-26 next year. Based on the positive responses we received, I am optimistic that we will see many advanced education institutions from the Americas, and their presidents, attending .