Founding member: Dalhousie University

Dalhousie is a leading, research-intensive Canadian university with campuses located in the heart of Halifax, Nova Scotia and in the picturesque town of Truro, Nova Scotia. We offer more than 190 degree programs in 12 diverse faculties to an enrolment of 18,220 students from more than 110 different countries.

Dalhousie University is a founding member of the Association of Commonwealth Universities, which is a very important network to us because it helps create links, encourage cooperation and foster connections between universities that share a common past. The ACU is particularly important to Dalhousie University because it provides international connections in a globalized world.

Dalhousie University has benefitted from being a member of the ACU through important connections in the areas of research and exchange with member institutions and through participating in ACU conferences we have been able to make valuable connections in India, Australia, the United Kingdom and Africa. Our involvement with the ACU has evolved from a simple transfer of knowledge between other member institutions to more integrated partnerships that result in student exchanges and research collaboration.

We feel that there are several challenges that Dalhousie University is facing up to. Demographic changes in Canada are putting pressure on domestic enrolment. As a result, we are using this as an opportunity to welcome larger numbers of students from around the world. With this in mind, Dalhousie University’s International Centre is committed to providing our top calibre international students with the support they need to succeed academically, financially and personally. We assist students throughout their studies in the areas of immigration, medical insurance, work permits, financial matters, language enhancement and personal issues.

Appealing to a wider international market has resulted in a rise in student enrolment at Dalhousie University, and this has put pressure on our physical spaces. New labs and classrooms are required to meet the important needs in teaching, research and student life. To accommodate the 35% growth of the student body over the last decade, Dalhousie University has broken ground on six new structures within the last six years, with five currently under construction. Our campus development plans are focused on improving the student experience.

Not only must we think about where our students learn, we are also rethinking how our students learn and the way they are taught. The evolving wants and needs of students, faculty, industry and society in the digital age are raising questions about the way universities deliver courses and programs. In late 2012 we launched our academic innovation initiative titled “DALVision 2020” which is a coordinated discussion about academic innovation with an eye to preparing for the university education of 2020 and beyond. The initiative is an exploration of the essential elements of university education and the potential disruptions it faces from changing student needs and technology.

Dalhousie University’s international strategy is focusing on mobility, student experience and research partnerships. We are committed to international cooperation and capacity building projects that raise Dalhousie’s profile as a leading international university on the world scene.