In a powerful demonstration of international partnership and knowledge exchange, St. Clair College welcomed Mr. Christophe Van Overstraeten, Trade Commissioner of the Wallonia-Brussels Trade and Investment Office in Toronto, as the first stop on his Sept. 3 to 5 visit to the Windsor-Essex region.
President Michael Silvaggi, Christophe Van Overstraeten, VP Marc Jones, VP Monica Staley Liang, Dr. Karamjeet Dhillon and John Lopez pose for a picture at St. Clair College on Sept. 3, 2025. (Rich Garton/St. Clair College)
The visit, coordinated through the Consulate of Belgium, marks an important step in deepening ties between Ontario and the Belgian regions of Wallonia and Brussels. With a strong emphasis on trade, research, and cultural collaboration, Mr. Van Overstraeten's visit opens the door to meaningful opportunities between Belgium and Southwestern Ontario.
"We are honoured to begin the Windsor journey at St. Clair College, where the heart of applied learning through research beats in rhythm with community and global engagement," said Dr. Karamjeet Dhillon, Director of Research and Innovation. "This isn't just about trade it's about sharing wisdom, lived experience, and innovation through our stories, our students, and our research ecosystems."
As part of the College's welcome, the Research and Innovation team shared success stories from research projects, community innovation initiatives, and culturally embedded programming that spans agriculture, healthcare and digital transformation. At the intersection of sports, healthcare and trades training, St. Clair College is becoming a recognized portal of Canadian innovation.
During the visit, conversations focused on how the College could serve as a bridge for bilateral exchange in education, research, and entrepreneurship. With multi-campus reach across Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent, the College offers a dynamic lens into the region's diversity and potential.
The meeting explored new pathways to:
- Leverage cultural ties through arts-based research and storytelling exchanges;
- Develop applied research collaborations that foster student mobility, co-design, and community impact;
- Offer a space for reciprocal wisdom-sharing, including opportunities for Belgian students, researchers, and entrepreneurs to engage with Indigenous land-based pedagogy, food sovereignty projects, and digital skill-building.
Mr. Van Overstraeten emphasized the shared values of innovation, sustainability, and inclusion, noting that "Canada and Belgium are more aligned than ever in our desire to co-create, learn from one another, and develop global solutions grounded in local knowledge."
As the Trade Commissioner continues his tour across Windsor-Essex, St. Clair College proudly sets the tone: one of openness, curiosity, and collaboration.
