Congratulations to Professor Joseph Wong on his reappointment as Vice-President, International. Professor Wong’s second term will be for five-years over a five-and-a-half-year period, from July 1, 2026 to December 31, 2031, to include a six-month administrative leave. Professor Wong was first appointed as the Vice-President, International in April 2021.
From the announcement: "During his first term, Professor Wong has championed the University of Toronto’s increased global engagement across multiple dimensions. A key focus of the 2022 International Strategic Plan was the diversification of the regions from which the university recruits talented students, of corporate partnerships and of academic partnerships, and on developing values-driven partnerships with academic, philanthropic, government and other partners. Key initiatives include expanding academic partnerships in Africa, India, and increasingly in Latin America, and the Caribbean. Leveraging strong relationships with Canada’s federal government and its foreign ministry, Professor Wong has aligned U of T’s international strategy to enhance Canada’s impact around the world.
Professor Wong led the development of the Africa Health Collaborative with eight African partner universities, along with nine academic tri-campus divisions at U of T, for which the University received generous support with a $94.6 million ten-year grant from Mastercard Foundation in 2021. Working closely with the School of Cities, he also oversaw the launch of the U of T India Foundation in Mumbai, with a focus on urban sustainability.
As Vice President International, Professor Wong has been committed to ensuring international students are welcomed to the U of T and supported during their academic journey. Collaborating with the Government Relations Office, Professor Wong has been a consistent advocate for international students with the provincial and federal governments. He has championed initiatives that give voice to international students’ experiences such as the documentary The First 48 Hours, and created the International Student Experience fund, which supports initiatives that foster a supportive environment on U of T’s campuses. Professor Wong has also focused on supporting increased global learning opportunities for all students, including the development of Global Classrooms, as well as increased mobility opportunities for students. Professor Wong has earned a reputation as a collaborative, respectful leader, who leads with authenticity, personal warmth and scholarly rigour."
Congratulations Joe!