Vice-President (International + Enterprise)

Institutional partnerships are integral to the University of Alberta’s strategic objectives, encompassing enrolment growth, program delivery, research advancement and industry engagement.

Our portfolio is committed to supporting the university's efforts to expand international academic collaborations, enhance industry engagement, and foster connections with a diverse range of organizations. As opportunities become increasingly global and complex, they demand greater institutional coordination to ensure success. By adopting a coordinated, strategic, top-level approach, we aim to provide a seamless experience for both existing and prospective institutional partners.

Portfolio

We work with colleagues across the university to broaden the scope of our partnerships, amplify their impact, and scale up research and industry collaborations, while deliberately integrating education and engagement opportunities.

Enterprise Partnerships

The Strategic Partnerships Office is a centralized point of entry to the university for potential partners. The office works strategically across the institution to ensure a client-focused experience for partners seeking to establish a relationship with the university.

It also provides guidance and connections for internal stakeholders, facilitating collaborations with companies, organizations, and industry or community sectors to drive large-scale initiatives. The unit coordinates complex partnerships that often span multiple portfolios within our institution, including colleges, faculties, research and innovation, development teams, and others.

International Partnerships

The Global Engagement unit fosters strategic international collaborations by acting as a bridge between the University of Alberta and the world. It works closely with partners on campus, across Canada, and around the world to build meaningful relationships and drive impactful outcomes.

By actively cultivating partnerships with academic institutions, governments, industry and non-governmental organizations, it enhances the university’s visibility and reputation on the global stage. It identifies and develops opportunities that support innovative approaches to teaching, research, and service, while addressing shared challenges and advancing mutual goals.

Through these efforts, the unit expands the university’s international footprint and enriches the academic and cultural experiences of students, faculty, and staff.

Announcing the new Vice-President (International + Enterprise)

Following a global search, the Board of Governors has approved the appointment of David Bressler as the Vice-President (International and Enterprise) for a five-year term, effective July 1, 2025.

In addition to serving as the Chief Strategy Officer (International and Enterprise) for the last six months, David is a professor in the Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Science, specializing in bioresource technology, as well as renewable fuels, chemicals and materials. He is the technology founder behind Forge Hydrocarbons, an advanced lipid-to-hydrocarbon biofuel technology company. During his distinguished career, he has been recognized as one of Canada's Clean 50 (2017), served as Executive Director of the Biorefining Conversions Network (2009-2016) and was a Project lead/Member of the Scientific Advisory Board for Biofuelnet, the Canadian Network Center of Excellence and Member of the scientific advisory board (2012-2015) for First Green Partners. He is a graduate of the U of A, receiving his PhD in microbiology and cell biotechnology.

In his new role, David will lead the university’s efforts to expand international academic collaborations and enhance our engagement with industry. The Office of the Vice-President (International and Enterprise) will operate horizontally across the university, working in close collaboration with the Provost, VP (Research and Innovation) and college and faculty deans to lead high-impact global partnerships that support our academic mission.