A senior delegation from Brock University has reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to strengthening academic collaboration, student mobility and long-term partnerships in Pakistan following a week-long visit to Lahore and Islamabad.
The visit, held from Jan. 28 to Feb. 4, brought together key representatives from the University’s leadership. Usman Raja, Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Programs at the Goodman School of Business, and Anna Guo, Director of International Student Recruitment, met with prospective students, recruitment partners and academic leaders across the country.
During their trip, the delegation engaged with some of Pakistan’s most prominent educational institutions. Meetings were held with administrators and students at Aitchison College, Cadet College Hasan Abdal and SuperNova School. Discussions were also conducted with representatives from leading universities, including Lahore University of Management Sciences and the National University of Computer and Emerging Sciences.
The delegation focused on exploring opportunities for academic partnerships, research collaboration and the development of structured recruitment pathways. According to Dr. Raja, meaningful international cooperation often begins with direct academic dialogue.
“Direct engagement with institutions gives us valuable insight into their academic and research priorities and how Brock’s expertise can meaningfully align,” he said. “When partnerships are grounded in academic trust and long-term collaboration, research collaboration, faculty exchange and student recruitment become more strategic, sustainable and mutually beneficial.”
University officials described the visit as part of a broader strategy to build enduring relationships in regions where academic talent and research potential are growing rapidly. Pakistan, with its expanding higher education sector and increasing number of internationally mobile students, has become an important partner region for global institutions seeking collaborative growth.
The delegation also met with prospective students and alumni, recognizing the role Pakistani students have played in strengthening Brock’s global presence. Among those acknowledged was Basit Ur Rehman, a former International Student Ambassador and Accounting graduate (BAcc ’23), whose experiences provided insight into student engagement and recruitment strategies.
Anna Guo emphasized that in-person engagement remains central to building trust and understanding between institutions. She noted that face-to-face meetings allow universities to better appreciate local educational priorities while presenting their own academic strengths in a more comprehensive way.
“Being present on the ground with faculty members matters,” Guo said. “Meeting directly with students, educators and partners allows us to listen, share Brock’s story in a more meaningful and holistic way, and reaffirms our long-term commitment to Pakistan as a valued partner region.”
Officials said the visit reflects Brock University’s broader goal of preparing students to thrive in an interconnected world. By deepening relationships with Pakistani schools and universities, the institution aims to support collaborative research initiatives, faculty exchanges and enhanced pathways for students seeking international education opportunities.
The trip concluded with both sides expressing optimism about future collaborations, signaling what university leaders hope will be a sustained and mutually beneficial academic partnership between Brock University and institutions across Pakistan.
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