Emerging leaders program creates international opportunities

Posted: November 21, 2014 3:30 p.m.

Representatives from the University of Regina and multiple academic institutions based in Latin America and the Caribbean have a round table discussion about University of Regina – Latin American academic relations. Photo: U of R Photography

Earlier this month twenty-four representatives from multiple academic institutions in Latin America and the Caribbean visited the University of Regina with the purpose of encouraging academic collaborations between Canada and the Americas through the Emerging Leaders of the Americas Program (ELAP) and making the University of Regina a key destination for their students.

The Emerging Leaders of the Americas Program (ELAP) is a student mobility program funded by the Government of Canada that creates the opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students from the Americas (Latin America and the Caribbean) to participate in an academic/research exchange at a Canadian post secondary institution. This program allows Canada to achieve its developmental objectives by strengthening the linkages of Canadian institutions with Latin America and Caribbean partners. Currently, ELAP is administrated by the Canadian Bureau of International Education (CBIE) and funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs Trade & Development.

“The University of Regina has become a destination of choice for ELAP students because of the warm welcome, excellent supports, and academic opportunities we provide”, said Dr. Dena McMartin, Associate Vice-President (Academic and Research). “Based on the success of these meetings, we expect to see more opportunities to bring the highest quality students from the Americas to our campus.”

During their visit, representatives met with the University of Regina Executive Team and with the Faculties of Arts, Science, Engineering & Applied Science, Business Administration, and Graduate Studies and Research. During the roundtable the visitors from Costa Rica, Jamaica, Antigua and Barbuda, Peru, Mexico, Colombia, Chile, and Guyana discussed potential academic and research collaborations, student mobility programs, and international special projects.

The University of Regina has been actively involved in the ELAP program since 2012 and has received, to date, 10 undergraduate students and two graduate students through it.

To learn more about the ELAP Program or opportunities to host an ELAP student please contact Martha Mathurin, Study Abroad Coordinator via email at Martha.Mathurin@uregina.ca