Universities have a unique ability to bring people together across national borders and cultural divides to forge connections, advance knowledge, and address global challenges. Queen’s recently made use of that special capability as it hosted the Queen’s Asia-Pacific Heads of Mission Forum, which welcomed diplomats and heads of mission from the Asia-Pacific region to campus for a day of discussion on higher education, research, innovation, and international collaboration.

The forum brought together leaders from government and higher education to exchange perspectives on the opportunities and challenges shaping the world today. It was co-hosted by Principal and Vice-Chancellor Patrick Deane and Her Excellency Sarantogos Erdenetsogt of the Embassy of Mongolia, Dean of the Asia-Pacific Heads of Mission in Ottawa.

“In increasingly uncertain times, universities more than ever need to be able to provide a venue for international dialogue,” says Principal Deane. “Creating a space for these important conversations among esteemed diplomats from Asia-Pacific nations has been a meaningful tradition at Queen’s since the event was first held in 2003. And it will continue to be significant for us as we expand our global impact and advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.”

Representatives from 13 countries across the Asia-Pacific region were on hand, including diplomats from India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Pakistan, and New Zealand. The highlight of the day was a forum on the topic of “Oil Shocks, Energy Resilience, and Sustainability in a Disrupted Global Order: Canada's Perspective and Asia-Pacific Responses” held at Ban Righ Hall. To start the conversation, Queen’s professors Warren Mabee (Geography and Planning) and David Detomasi (Smith School of Business) delivered brief presentations before opening the floor to a Q&A.

“It was exciting to see these critical conversations taking place on Queen’s campus and to see that all delegates were able to have an engaging discussion with our speakers on this very important topic,” says Ann Tierney, Vice-Provost (Global Engagement). “This forum helps strengthen the university’s connections with international communities, expanding opportunities for global partnerships and student mobility.”

Learn more about how Queen’s is advancing global learning, research, and partnerships on the Global Engagement website.