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Regional Engagement

At U of T, we are committed to global engagement. We infuse international and comparative perspectives throughout our teaching, research and service missions. Global engagement shapes our institutional ethos and touches our entire higher education enterprise.

The Need for Global Engagement

U of T’s international engagement is driven by the need to:

  • Attract top students and faculty to U of T
  • Grow the global impact of U of T’s research and scholarship
  • Develop global competencies and fluency for students in a globalized world
  • Access international funding opportunities

The Goals of Global Engagement

Through its international strategy, U of T strives to:

  • Increase U of T’s international presence and grow its activities
  • Broaden and deepen engagement with key partners and regions
  • Participate in global research collaborations and scholarship
  • Integrate global perspectives into learning and teaching

The Office of the Vice President, International (OVPI) benefits from the significant expertise and insights of faculty, staff and alumni who help inform our regional strategies. In order to facilitate ongoing engagement and benefit from the significant regional expertise of our faculty, OVPI convenes seven Presidential International Councils (PICs). U of T also has four International Leadership Councils (ILCs) constituted by alumni, who share their valuable regional insights.   

Presidential  International  Councils

Presidential International Councils (PICs) serve an advisory function to the leadership of the International portfolio – and through that leadership, to the President of the University – and to staff and partners as we together implement, refine and update the University of Toronto International Strategic Plan. There are seven (7) regional councils, each of which advise on strategy development for one of the following regions: 

  • Sub-Saharan Africa (Chair: Professor Wisdom Tettey, Vice-President & Principal, University of Toronto Scarborough)
  • East Asia (Chair: Professor Chris Yip, Dean, Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering)
  • Europe and the UK (Chair: Professor Alexandra Gillespie, Vice-President & Principal, University of Toronto Mississauga)
  • Indian subcontinent (Chair: Professor Partha Mohanran, Director, India Innovation Institute, Rotman School of Management)
  • Latin America & the Caribbean (Chair: Alumni Distinguished Professor Cristina Amon, Dean Emerita, Faculty of Applied Science and Engineering)
  • Middle East & North Africa (Chair: Professor Walid Saleh, Department for the Study of Religion, Faculty of Arts and Science)
  • United States (Chair: Professor Peter Loewen, Department of Political Science and the Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, Faculty of Arts and Science)

The PICs provide continuity of strategic advice and input to OVPI and partners and enables tracking of successes and challenges over time.    

The PICs are advisory only and are not decision-making bodies. 

International Leadership Councils

University of Toronto alumni occupy leadership positions in key industries around the world; International Leadership Councils (ILCs) capitalize on this network of knowledge and expertise to advance the University’s international partnerships, attract top talent, and magnify U of T’s excellence and impact around the world. Please click here to learn more about the University’s ILCs.