Universities Canada is facilitating a nationwide delegation of university presidents to visit India with the goal of gaining and strengthening opportunities for research collaboration. From February 2nd to 6th, 21 presidents from universities across Canada, including UoG President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Rene van Acker, will be touring India to meet with researchers, government leaders, and industry officials.
Statistics Canada released a new in-depth analysis titled Portrait of the South Asian populations in Canada.
In the convocation ceremony on 14th October, 2025, Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, Chair, MS Swaminathan Research Foundation, India, was presented with an honorary Doctor of Laws by the University of Guelph. Dr. Swaminathan is an outstanding scientist and a global leader who has made holistic contributions to medicine, healthcare, global policy, philanthropy and social welfare.
In a move to further strengthen the research collaborations between the University of Guelph, Canada, and the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), India, an MoU was signed by Prof. Shayan Sharif, Vice President Research, University of Guelph, and Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, Chair, MSSRF, on October 14, 2025.
Meher Fiha successfully completed her MRP, "Negotiating Identity and Belonging: A Study of Second-Generation South Asian Immigrant Experience in Derek Mascarenhas’ Coconut Dreams," (advisor: Gregor Campbell) in April 2025.
Dilshan Fernando successfully defended his PhD dissertation, "Future Life How? Charting the Destigmatization of Disability in Titan, India," on May 6, 2025.
In May, I had the chance to learn about the Blue Diamond Society, the first organization in Nepal to work specifically on LGBTQIA+ issues. Founded in 2001 with just seven members, it has grown from a grassroots effort into a nationally recognized movement focused on health, advocacy, and human rights.
Dr. Guneet Kaur, a professor at the School of Engineering, University of Guelph, is appointed as CIRCLE’s director for a three-year term, effective May 1, 2025.
During my time in Nepal with the International Development Nepal Field School, my most memorable intercultural experience was in the rural community of Gorkhe, where the course focused on rural sustainable development. From the moment we arrived, the warmth and wisdom of this community were immediately apparent as we were welcomed with open arms and open hearts.
Something I learnt immediately upon entering Gorkhe was how deeply rooted kindness is in Nepali culture. We were greeted with beautiful music, warm smiles, scarfs, and flowers upon our arrival.