UPEI hosts Emerging Leaders in the Americas delegates
The University of Prince Edward Island hosted a group of presidents, provosts, directors, and heads of research from universities across Latin America and the Caribbean on November 22, 2023.
This collaboration mission provided an opportunity to further build Study Abroad relationships between post-secondary institutions in Latin America, the Caribbean, and Canada through the Emerging Leaders in the Americas Program (ELAP). There are currently eight exchange students and two faculty from Latin America and the Caribbean studying and working on projects at UPEI through the ELAP program.
During their visit, the ELAP delegates were welcomed by Dr. Greg Naterer, UPEI vice-president academic and research. They were given a tour of the facilities and research being conducted at the Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering (FSDE) by David Taylor, manager of operations. The delegates also enjoyed a campus tour provided by Songobele Mulenga, a biology student working as a student assistant with the UPEI International Student Office. Erica Stanley, international student advisor, and Sherilyn Acorn, manager and international liaison officer, with the Office of Study Abroad and International Partnerships, also accompanied the group on the tour.
“UPEI has welcomed many students through ELAP over the years, and I am pleased that this program continues to enrich the research environment here at UPEI,” said Naterer. “The program offers unique opportunities for researchers at UPEI to collaborate on projects that help improve natural resources and the environment both at home and abroad.”
The theme of the mission was to focus on opportunities for education and collaborative research in the areas of natural resource management and environmental technology. Dr. Marva Sweeny-Nixon, associate vice-president of research and dean of graduate studies, introduced several faculty member presenters who discussed research projects within these areas.
Talks were given by Dr. Stephanie Shaw and Dr. Kuljeet Greewal, Faculty of Sustainable Design Engineering, and Dr. Aitazaz Farooque, interim associate dean, School of Climate Change and Adaptation. The visiting delegates expressed great interest in further discussion and collaboration with the research work being done at UPEI.
The Government of Canada has been providing scholarships for students from Latin America and the Caribbean with short-term exchange opportunities for study or research at Canadian post-secondary institutions since 2009.
