Brock University has expanded its international impact by joining an academic network that drives cross-cultural co-operation and advancement across the Americas.
President and Vice-Chancellor Lesley Rigg (left) shared reflections on Canada's evolving role within global higher education during a panel discussion at the Conference of the Americas on International Education in Costa Rica last month
Brock became a member of the Inter-American Organization for Higher Education (IOHE), a leading organization on the internationalization of higher education, last month. The IOHE has more than 400 member organizations spanning nine regions and 28 countries from Canada to South America.
Its goal is to engage higher education institutions and affiliated partner organizations in dialogue, reflection and action addressing the current challenges and future potential of the higher education sector across the Americas and Caribbean.
Associate Vice-President, International David Begg said Brock's affiliation with the IOHE provides opportunities to further develop meaningful, sustainable relationships with Latin American partners and advance academic cooperation in the region.
"Membership with the IOHE serves to expand Brock's international presence and impact and foster significant connections between our institution and other member universities, communities and industry," he said. "We look forward to engaging in meaningful collaboration with our network of global partners to drive international student success, advance research opportunities, build capacity across our institutions and contribute to the development of more just and sustainable societies."
The IOHE supports partner institutions with the implementation of internationalization strategies through events, missions and professional development programs, including opportunities to highlight Brock's international engagement and inter-American collaboration efforts and promoting its continuing education offerings.
An exchange opportunity through the organization will also allow students to take virtual or distance learning courses from other IOHE member Institutions, and a learning module is available for faculty members interested in integrating international collaboration into their courses.
Beginning in 2026, the IOHE will also provide a platform for supporting higher education institutions in achieving their Sustainable Development Goal-related targets.
Brock also recently participated in the IOHE's Conference of the Americas on International Education (CAEI), which took place in San José, Costa Rica from Oct. 15 to 17.
The eighth installment of the conference brought together post-secondary leaders from around the world, including Begg and President and Vice-Chancellor Lesley Rigg, to explore emerging trends, regional priorities and the changing role of higher education institutions in sustainable global development.
Rigg represented the University as part of a conference panel exploring evolving trends and collaborations in higher education.
She discussed how the University is preparing students for a rapidly changing global workforce through pedagogical innovation and digital transformation by focusing on enhancing learning outcomes and fostering global competencies.
Beggs and Rigg also met with a range of potential partner institutions from across the Americas as well as Canadian Trade Commissioners, who represent multiple jurisdictions and help Canadian businesses succeed in international markets.
"Brock is committed to providing students with transformative opportunities here and abroad that will empower them to become agents of change in an increasingly interconnected world," Rigg said. "Contributing to global knowledge exchange with our partners across the IOHE and through its breadth of collaborative initiatives will strengthen Brock's role on the global stage and broaden our understanding of the world and each other."
Brock faculty members who are actively researching or collaborating with colleagues in the Americas and wish to learn more about involvement with the IOHE can contact Cecilia Garcia Vega in Brock International at partnerships@brocku.ca
