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OTTAWA, December 12, 2024 – Fulbright Canada and the University of Ottawa announced their renewed partnership, signing a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the University of Ottawa’s Tabaret Hall. This commitment marks the third five-year MOU between the two organizations, underscoring a shared commitment to cross-border collaboration and understanding and addressing global challenges through academic exchange.
Since establishing the first Fulbright Visiting Research Chair at the University of Ottawa in 2005, the partnership has facilitated cross-disciplinary research in environmental and economic studies, governance, health law, policy, ethics, and science and society. Since 2005, the University of Ottawa has hosted 57 Fulbright Visiting Research Chairs, enriching its academic community through lectures, seminars, and collaborative projects.
This renewed MOU, led by President Jacques Frémont and Dr. Julie St. Pierre, Interim Vice President of Research and Innovation at the University of Ottawa, builds on a longstanding academic collaboration and innovation tradition. The partnership strengthens ties between the United States and Canada. It embodies the core mission of the Fulbright Program: to deepen intercultural understanding, advance educational and cultural collaboration, and foster a more peaceful and productive world.
“The Fulbright Canada Program is an excellent way of creating research connections and generating a dynamic research environment on campus and in the community,” said Dr. Julie St. Pierre, Interim Vice President, Research and Innovation at the University of Ottawa.
The Fulbright Program, including the Fulbright–Hays Program, is one of the most prestigious programs in the United States that aims to strengthen cross-border relations, cultural diplomacy, and intercultural competence. The Program provides approximately 8,000 grants annually to students, scholars, and professionals worldwide. Its distinguished alums include 44 heads of state, 62 Nobel Prize winners, 82 MacArthur Fellows, and 90 Pulitzer Prize recipients. Fulbright Canada exemplifies the Program's unique public-private partnership, showcasing how two nations can collaboratively support academic and societal progress.
“The renewal of this MOU with the University of Ottawa is a testament to our enduring partnership and the shared values between our two countries. A tangible example of bilateral cooperation”, said Jake Jacanin, Minister Counselor for Public Diplomacy at the U.S. Embassy in Ottawa.
The first Fulbright Canada Visiting Research Chair at the University of Ottawa was Dr. Matthew Mingus of Western Michigan University, who specialized in Public Policy, Governance, and Public Administration. The most recent Visiting Research Chair, Professor Katherine C. Pearson of Penn State Dickinson Law, occupies the 2024-2025 Fulbright Research Chair in Health Law, Policy, and Ethics. Professor Pearson’s research focuses on the intersection of aging, justice, and healthcare policies.
Professor Katherine C. Pearson reflected on the power of collaboration, stating, “All meaningful change starts with connections,” quoting Dr. Claire Kendall, Associate Dean and Clinical Research Chair in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Ottawa. She added, “That is what Fulbright is all about: meaningful connections.”
“Since its inception, this partnership has highlighted the incredible potential of cross-border academic collaboration, uniting scholars and institutions,” said Dr. Michael Hawes, President and CEO of Fulbright Canada. “The renewed MOU with the University of Ottawa deepens our shared commitment to intellectual discovery and serves as a model for how education can unite nations in addressing the challenges of tomorrow.”
By building on this shared legacy, Fulbright Canada and the University of Ottawa reaffirm their dedication to cultivating shared progress and mutual respect through meaningful academic and cultural exchange.
Visit our website to learn more about the Fulbright Canada Research Chairs at the University of Ottawa and the Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad Fellowship.
About Fulbright Canada
Established in 1946, the Fulbright Program has supported over 325,000 students, scholars, teachers, professionals, scientists, and artists across 155 countries. It remains one of the world’s most distinguished academic honours. The program aims to foster mutual understanding and academic excellence.
Fulbright Canada is a bi-national, treaty-based, non-governmental organization that identifies and supports exceptional scholars and students in Canada and the United States by providing academic exchange programs through merit-based grants.
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Stacey Vincent
About the University of Ottawa
Rooted in our bilingual and Francophone DNA, we are evolving at the intersection of many cultures. Located in Canada’s capital, a gateway to the world, we possess a unique platform to respond with energy, creativity, and scale to the global challenges and opportunities our world offers. With an active focus on equity, diversity, and inclusion, we will thrive like never before.
Already in this new millennium, we have rocketed into the top 1% of the world’s 20,000+ universities with our research reputation. We have doubled our enrolment with students from across Canada, as well as from 147 countries around the globe, choosing uOttawa.
Our international influence is surging, with institutional partnerships in Europe, Asia and Africa multiplying rapidly – including membership in the U7 Alliance of world universities.
Meanwhile our research and programs in Cybertech, health, science, social justice, sustainability, education, and entrepreneurship continue to impact communities across Canada and around the globe every single day. Our scientists and academicians are driving progress in ethical AI and technology development, in clean growth and innovation and in action-oriented research on aging, active and healthy living, lifelong learning, and well-being, to name but a few.
At uOttawa we are driven by the urge to challenge the status quo, the will to make an impact, and the ambition to become a catalyst for change.
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