About External Relations

External Relations, formerly University Relations and Advancement, formulates strategies and undertakes initiatives that advance the University of Alberta's reputation to its stakeholders and the public. Working with our colleagues in academic faculties and administrative units across the U of A's five campuses, we tell the story of the University of Alberta. We build relationships and enhance engagement with community, government, alumni, donors, and other audiences and stakeholders through communications, marketing, digital strategies, government and community relations, development, and alumni relations.

We seek to be a university that is admired, trusted and respected by those we serve-in Alberta, across Canada and around the world.

Three "Rs" define our goals and responsibilities:

• We advance and protect the university's reputation by telling the university's story in ways that resonate with stakeholder audiences.
• We build productive relationships that support the institutional mission.
• We ensure the availability of adequate public resources.

Three principles that guide our planning:

• There is often significant overlap among key stakeholder groups; this demands a fully integrated strategy.
• Relationship-building must move beyond communication toward genuine engagement to help stakeholders and communities understand that the University of Alberta is linked with their lives, culture and society.
• We must connect with our stakeholders in ways that make sense to them-formally and informally, through traditional and new media, through events and activities that bring the U of A into their communities and shine a light on our impact.