Provost and Vice-President, Academic Arja Vainio-Mattila and Associate Vice-President, International David Begg connected with three partner universities the University of Portsmouth, the University of Surrey and the University of Birmingham during the trip, which took place from March 9 to 13.
Vainio-Mattila and Begg were joined by Brock President and Vice-Chancellor Lesley Rigg and Professor of Dramatic Arts Jennifer Roberts-Smith while visiting the University of Portsmouth.
Brock's partnership with Portsmouth has expanded considerably over the past year, and advancing collaboration between the two institutions was a significant focus for the delegation.
"This visit marks an important step forward in our relationship with Portsmouth," said Rigg. "Our institutions share a strong commitment to student success, research and community impact. That alignment is creating real momentum, and we're excited about what the next phase will bring."
Representatives from Brock University met with senior leadership from the University of Portsmouth during a recent visit to the United Kingdom. Front row, from left: Chris Chang, Portsmouth Deputy Vice-Chancellor; Lesley Rigg, Brock President and Vice-Chancellor; and Arja Vainio-Mattila, Brock Provost and Vice-President, Academic. Second row, from left: Jennifer Roberts-Smith, Brock Professor of Dramatic Arts, and David Begg, Brock Associate Vice-President, International. Third row, from left: Neil Weston, Portsmouth Associate Dean (Global Engagement and Education Partnerships), and Graham Galbraith, Portsmouth Vice-Chancellor and Professor.
The visit reciprocated a visit by Portsmouth's senior leadership to Brock in April 2025, when the institutions formalized an agreement to offer new dual-degree programs and explored opportunities for future academic pathways and research collaborations.
"Our teams have built an impressive foundation in a very short time. The work we're undertaking together will open new pathways for students and deepen academic connections across both institutions," said Vainio-Mattila.
While in the U.K., Vainio-Mattila and Begg also renewed Brock's long-standing student exchange partnership with the University of Birmingham.
"This partnership has provided transformative global experiences for our students for years," Vainio-Mattila said. "The renewal signals our continued commitment to increasing mobility opportunities and ensuring our students can learn and grow in worldclass academic environments."
Discussions with leadership at the University of Birmingham explored future opportunities to strengthen the exchange and broaden participation across additional disciplines.
Vainio-Mattila and Begg's trip concluded with a visit to the University of Surrey, an active exchange partner, where leaders from the two organizations discussed emerging academic pathways, and potential areas for faculty engagement and new opportunities for collaboration, including expanded short-term mobility options.
"We see tremendous potential with Surrey. Their strengths complement many of ours, and both institutions share a desire to create innovative international learning opportunities. There is real enthusiasm on both sides to take this partnership further," said Begg.
Collectively, Rigg said these visits reflect a coordinated effort to advance Brock's international priorities by building high-impact global partnerships that enrich the student experience, strengthen research networks and enhance the University's international visibility.
"Global engagement is a core part of Brock's future," she said. "These partnerships open doors for our students and faculty, and they connect our work here in Niagara to communities around the world. These visits reflect our intention to be bold, strategic, and collaborative as we expand our global footprint."
