Expand Western's Global Range

Students standing together

As a university intent on making a difference in the world, Western will harness its areas of expertise and commit to collaborating and reciprocally sharing knowledge on the global stage.

Whether we are working to increase mobility opportunities, enable Western to become more diverse, or strengthen our research, by developing new and equitable partnerships across the globe we will continue to co-create innovation pathways to accelerate progress and effect positive change.

We will:

  • Supporting established areas of global engagement while leveraging opportunities in areas of emerging global strength.
  • Identifying and establishing mutually beneficial and aligned partnerships in new regions of emphasis (Asia-Pacific, Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America and the Middle East and North Africa).
  • Developing outreach strategies in partnership with trade commissioners for countries of focus to identify new opportunities.

  • Nurturing and enhancing the strong bond between alumni and the university through global alumni engagement initiatives and strategic volunteer recruitment.

Some measures of Progress

  • Establish regional advisory councils for regions of emphasis.
  • Build two new super partnerships per year.
  • Expand Western’s global footprint by setting up pop up campuses in regions of emphasis.
  • Leverage the expertise, networks and knowledge of alumni in regional advisory councils and other working groups.
  • Engage international alumni and local alumni with international backgrounds as mentors, connectors, employers, experts and ambassadors.

Our global engagement in action

Western Heads East

Western Heads East connects Western staff, students, and faculty with social enterprise partners in Africa to use probiotic food to support health and sustainable development.

More than 160 students have completed internships, and partnerships have resulted in over 110 publications.

Radboud

Western has a deep partnership with Radboud University including:

  • Research collaboration between the Donders Institute and Western’s Brain and Mind Institute
  • Undergraduate exchange programs and within the Faculty of Law
  • DAN Management Semester Abroad program
  • A joint research collaboration fund