Rob Annan
Interim CEO and
Scientific Director
October 2014
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What is Mitacs?
Canadian not-for-profit research organization
Governed by Canada’s research universities
3,000 projects supported annually
5,000+ students trained
Partnership between universities, industry, government www.mitacs.ca
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Mitacs program goals
Promote research-based innovation
High-quality, collaborative research projects
A partnership approach
Cross-disciplinary and inter-disciplinary approach
International
Flexibility and responsiveness
Private
Sector
Academia www.mitacs.ca
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Mitacs Programs - National and International
 Canada’s premier industrial research program
 R&D management leaders
 International research mobility
 Professional skills development
 Open the doors to international companies wanting to be connected to cutting-edge
Canadian R&D in our universities and SMEs www.mitacs.ca
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Mitacs Globalink
www.mitacs.ca
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Why international research partnerships?
Global knowledge flow is key to economic and social progress
Provide our young people the opportunity to participate in an increasingly globalized economy
Open our doors to the world’s best and brightest
Showcase Canadian research expertise around the world www.mitacs.ca
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Globalink – a brief history
Launched in 2009 as a mechanism to attract high-quality grad students
Launched in first year with 17 students from India
This year, 500 students from eight countries at 50 Canadian universities
Expanded funding in Budget 2012 as part of International Education
Strategy
Also supported by provincial governments, universities, and partner countries
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Mitacs Globalink Partners www.mitacs.ca
India
China
Brazil
Mexico
Turkey
Vietnam
Tunisia
Saudi Arabia
France
Australia
Germany
Japan
South Korea
Chile
Bold: Countries in the International Education Strategy
Italic: Partnerships in development
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Globalink Objectives
Attract the world’s brightest to Canada
Long-term investment in international experiences
Living bridges for international research collaboration
Raise Canadian profile as a source of world-class research
Make Canada a hub of international research and industry www.mitacs.ca
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Mitacs Globalink Suite of Initiatives
Globalink
Come to Canada
Research
Internships
Graduate
Fellowships
Travel from Canada
Partnership
Awards
Research
Awards
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Summer research internships match international students with leading Canadian professors
8,000+ applications and 1,700+ research projects
Program provides airfare, visas, health insurance, residence, mentors, industry tours and professional skills training.
Professor receives $5,000 research grant
~2/3 of students publish results or present at conference.
www.mitacs.ca
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Former Globalink interns are offered graduate fellowships for study in Canada
Jointly offered with universities
30% of interns who attend graduate school return to
Canada
Globalink intern Vicky Liu developed a smartphone app that tracks and displays vital signs on a mobile device www.mitacs.ca
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Travel and research award for Canadian students traveling abroad
Joint supervision between home and host supervisors
May support existing collaborations between professors
Flexible length and timing for projects
Launched 2014 with 100 students this year
Allison Stocks has traveled to Phu Quoc island with Mitacs Globalink for research into the vulnerability of seahorse populations.
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Industrial research internships abroad for Canadian students
Supervision by Canadian professor and industrial research manager
Projects co-funded by Mitacs and industrial partners
Pilot launched spring 2014
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www.mitacs.ca
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1. The world is a big place
– Focused roll-out has been key
– Every international market is distinct
– Relationship building takes time, work
– “Priorities” vary widely
– Coordination is essential www.mitacs.ca
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2. Reciprocity Matters
– Engagement not recruitment
– Partnerships are key
– Meaningful support from all sides for sustainability
– Different objectives www.mitacs.ca
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3. Full, well-rounded experiences matter
– Students have varied priorities
– Students focused on post-study options
– Canada must leverage its “soft skills” www.mitacs.ca
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4. Canada is among the world’s best
– Rankings matter
– But so do social networks
– Students are prepared to love Canada
– Show not tell
– Be bold www.mitacs.ca
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5. Holistic view of international education
– Not just about numbers, recruitment
– Diverse objectives, outcomes

Economic, social, environmental, political www.mitacs.ca
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www.mitacs.ca
Rob Annan rannan@mitacs.ca
@robannan
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