By Mark Kerr, Senior Communications Officer

An external review of Queen’s international portfolio will kick off February 24 with a two-day site visit by Julie McMullin and Ruth Moir.

“I welcome Julie and Ruth to campus and look forward to receiving their expert advice on ways we can better support internationalization at Queen’s, a key priority within both our Academic and Strategic Research Plans,” says Principal Daniel Woolf.

Julie McMullin became Western University’s first vice-provost (international) in 2012 after serving as a special advisor on internationalization since 2011. Ruth Moir serves as the assistant principal (international development) at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh where she oversees implementation of the university’s international strategy and international business development.

“We shall strengthen our international reputation by emphasizing what has built Queen’s enviable reputation nationally, which is the transformative learning experience,” says Alan Harrison, Provost and Vice-Principal (Academic). “Much of the activity on the international front at Queen’s originates in the six faculties and schools. The review will focus on how to best support these faculties and schools, through coordination and facilitation of their initiatives. I expect the final report will provide useful recommendations, gathered from the Queen’s community, to consider as we determine the appropriate organizational structure and support mechanisms, and allocation of resources, in support of internationalization at Queen’s.”

The Provost’s office initiated a review of the international portfolio following two years of considerable change including the restructuring of the International Office and the departure of Vice-Provost Jim Lee for a position at Australia’s Macquarie University. The findings and recommendations of the external reviewers, to be submitted a month after their visit to campus, will inform the review that is being led by Provost Harrison, on behalf of Principal Woolf. The review is expected to be completed this spring.

The external reviewers will visit campus Feb. 24-25. They will devote a majority of their time to meeting with individuals and units that deliver and support international activities. Faculty, staff and students can offer their input at an open session on Monday, February 24. The meeting will run from 12:30 pm-1:30 pm in Richardson Hall, Room 340 (The Peter Lougheed Room). Written feedback is also welcome for those who are unable to participate in this session. Please submit your feedback to provost@queensu.ca by Friday, Feb. 21 so that it may be considered as part of the review process.