Brock University Presidential Visit to Middle East Explores Partnership Opportunities

A Brock delegation demonstrated the University’s commitment to deepening its relationships with Middle Eastern institutions during a recent strategic visit abroad.

President and Vice-Chancellor Lesley Rigg was joined by Meaghan Rusnell, Interim Vice-President, External; Barry Wright, Dean, Goodman School of Business; and Christina Bosilo, Director, Brock International, for the trip, which took place from Friday, May 3 to Tuesday, May 14.

The trip aimed to explore opportunities for enhancing academic exchange programs and global research initiatives and to showcase Brock’s strengths across multiple disciplines including science, technology, business, education, health and sports.

Brock’s delegates met with ministry and government officials and education organizations such as King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology and the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge. The group also visited the campuses of King Saud University and Princess Nourah Bint Abdulrahaman in Saudi Arabia, Canadian University Dubai in Dubai and Zayed University in Abu Dhabi.

While in Saudi Arabia, the delegation participated in the KSA-Canada Education Partnership Forum organized by the Canadian Embassy in Saudi Arabia. The forum brought together participants from Canada, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain to discuss possibilities for institutional partnerships related to joint study programs, collaborative research, curriculum development, and student and faculty exchanges.

A trip highlight was a reception hosted by Brock in Dubai for accepted incoming international students and Brock alumni. The reception was a unique in-person opportunity for accepted international students to connect with senior leaders and staff from the University in their home country. It also provided a chance to hear first-hand accounts of other students’ experiences studying abroad at Brock.