We have been closely monitoring the evolving discussions on national security and participating in ongoing discussions with post-secondary partners across Canada. A consistent national response on security matters and international engagement is necessary and we are fully committed to working with all levels of government to ensure that Canada’s core security interests are protected and advanced. We have asked the federal government for further direction about international collaborations. We are looking forward to the forthcoming guidelines from the Government of Canada - Universities Working Group on national security considerations as they relate to the evaluation and funding of research partnerships. These guidelines are due on June 25, 2021 and we expect them to guide our future efforts.
To be a leading research-intensive university means being an active participant in the globalized community. International partnerships, which include research projects, teaching and mobility agreements, and international learning opportunities are what allow the academy to provide students, postdocs, and faculty with the experiences needed to ensure that knowledge flows around the globe. That’s why the University of Alberta has agreements with partners from over 80 different countries. International partnerships and students play a valuable and significant role in Alberta’s post-secondary sector moving forward. We are committed to working with both the federal government and the province to find a path forward for Canada's research intensive universities.
Walter Dixon
Interim Vice-President (Research and Innovation)