Marking the appointment of the Vice-Chancellor of Western University as Chair of ACU Council, the Secretary General of the ACU made her first official visit to Canada last week to strengthen ties with local stakeholders and discuss collaboration opportunities.

Dr Joanna Newman, Chief Executive and Secretary General of the ACU, kicked off her visit on 2 October 2017 with a meeting with Professor Amit Chakma, newly appointed Chair of ACU Council and President and Vice-Chancellor of Western University, in London, Ontario, Canada.

During her week-long visit, Dr Joanna Newman also visited four other ACU member institutions in the region – McMaster University, York University, the University of Waterloo, and the University of Toronto – and met with staff of the MasterCard Foundation, Universities Canada, and key government ministers.

Joanna Newman & Amit Chakma outside Canada's parliament building before meetings with @ScienceMin @peterschiefke & @pfragiskatos pic.twitter.com/LjMCnoa1Zs

— The ACU (@The_ACU) October 5, 2017

Highlights of the trip included a productive meeting with Universities Canada, with discussions focusing on the possibilities for future staff exchange and mutual participation in events; meeting Canadian alumni at a Commonwealth Scholarship Commission alumni evening, all of whom have gone on to inspiring careers; and a visit to the Canadian Parliament where discussions centred on scholarships and how international experiences impact on both skills and employability.

Professor Amit Chakma said: ‘In my new role as Chair of the ACU Council I am thrilled to have welcomed Joanna on her first visit to Canada. I believe ACU members in Canada have a huge part to play in the ACU’s work around employability and skills, international mobility, and respect and understanding.

‘This visit provided an important opportunity for Canadian universities to share their expertise in these areas and begin planning for future engagement with the ACU.'

After the visit, Dr Joanna Newman said: ‘It was a fantastic visit – we were able to visit several of our oldest member institutions. There is much that we can do to strengthen collaborations with institutions that are at the forefront of education and research in the Commonwealth.

‘I would like to thank Western University, McMaster University, York University, the University of Waterloo, and the University of Toronto for hosting meetings, organising campus tours, and generally being so welcoming.'

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