Given the complex challenges COVID-19 has placed on post-secondary institutions, how will campus life be impacted and what immediate and long-term steps can universities take to manage this? CCBC, Universities Canada, and York University discussed this important issue in a live webinar on June 24 at 10 am EST.

With virtual courses likely to be a reality in the fall, there are many challenges that lie ahead for universities as they appeal to international students to remain committed to a Canadian educational experience. Chinese students, more specifically, make up the largest group of international students and Global Affairs Canada estimates that international students added $21.6 billion dollars to the Canadian economy in 2018 and the creation of 170,000 jobs. Canadian universities, and by extension the Canadian economy, have long enjoyed and benefited from the contributions made by Chinese students on campuses and within our communities. Is there a shared branding opportunity to ensure Canada remains a top destination for Chinese students pursuing their post-secondary education degree? These issues, as well as recommendations for how the CCBC and post-secondary institutions can work together, were addressed during the webinar.

*Please note that David C. Dingwall, President and Vice-Chancellor, Cape Breton University, and Santa Ono, President and Vice-Chancellor, University of British Columbia, were scheduled to participate in the panel discussion but were unable to attend due to unexpected circumstances.

This session was free of charge for CCBC members in good standing, C$25+HST for non-members.

Webinar Sponsor:

About the Speaker:

Rhonda L. Lenton

President and Vice-Chancellor, York University

Rhonda L. Lenton is the eighth President and Vice-Chancellor of York University. She joined York in 2002 as Dean of the Atkinson Faculty of Liberal & Professional Studies, and went on to serve as Vice-Provost Academic and then Vice-President Academic & Provost. A champion of community engagement and innovative partnerships, she has significantly expanded York’s institutional collaborations with government, business, community organizations, and other post-secondary education partners. A sociologist by training, her areas of teaching and research expertise include gender, family conflict, research methods and higher education.

In 2015, Dr. Lenton was named one of the top 100 most powerful women in Canada by the Women’s Executive Network (WXN) and in 2016 received the Angela Hildyard Recognition Award for her innovative leadership in higher education. Prior to joining York, she was an associate dean and professor at McMaster University.

About the Moderator:

Paul Davidson

President, Universities Canada

Paul Davidson has played leadership roles in government, the private sector and the voluntary sector for over 25 years. He joined Universities Canada in May 2009 as President and CEO where he leads a dynamic team dedicated to advancing higher education, research and innovation for the benefit of Canadians. Mr. Davidson has been named both a “top lobbyist” in Ottawa and a “top foreign policy influencer.”

Prior to joining Universities Canada, Mr. Davidson was the executive director of World University Service of Canada (WUSC) a leading international development agency active on 70 campuses across Canada, and 17 countries overseas.

Mr. Davidson also held senior positions in Canadian book publishing including five years as executive director of the Association of Canadian Publishers. In the early 1990s, Mr. Davidson led the Toronto office of a prominent government relations firm after having served as a political advisor to Ontario’s Leader of the Opposition, Treasurer and Deputy Premier.

Mr. Davidson holds an MA from Queen’s University where he studied southern African history, and a BA from Trent University, where he was in the first class of the Trent International Program.