We are pleased to announce that U of G has partnered with Canada India Foundation to jointly launch a new Global Thought Leader in Residence program, kicking off this week.

As part of U of G’s commitment to build global engagement, this program aims to foster stronger ties between Canada and India by: increasing engagement amongst Indo-Canadian communities through knowledge exchange and collaboration while inspiring students to become their generation’s thought leaders.

Welcome Vikas Swarup

U of G is pleased to welcome our inaugural Global Thought Leader, Vikas Swarup, a well-regarded author, Indian diplomat and the former Indian High Commissioner to Canada. From Sept. 12 to Oct. 23, Swarup will be immersed on campus as he provides guest lectures along with participating in a panel discussion open to the broader Guelph community.

“I’m honoured and delighted to be the first occupant of U of G’s Global Thought Leader in Residence program,” said Swarup. “I hope to use this residency to create greater awareness of the tremendous potential of the Canada-India relationship, catalyse fruitful partnerships between Indian institutions and U of G, get inspired by my interactions with the student community as well as work on a new book.”

Say hello to Mr. Swarup

Here are a few ways you can connect with Mr. Swarup:

  • Office Hours: Wednesdays from 4-5p.m., MacKinnon building (2nd floor, room 251)
  • Email: vswarup@uoguelph.ca
  • Social media: @VikasSwarup on X (formerly known as Twitter)

U of G values global engagement

In addition to the Global Thought Leader in Residence program, earlier this year U of G announced a new visiting chair in Indian studies, designed to bring Indian scholars to our campus to teach, conduct research and communicate with our broader community through public lectures.

These initiatives are part of a global engagement plan completed by the Office of International Strategies and Partnerships that places internationalization as a core priority within the University’s overall strategic plan.

If you have questions about the Global Thought Leader in Residence program, please feel free to contact Dr. Sharada Srinivasan, U of G Faculty.

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