Help Shape SFU’s International Strategy
SFU is launching the development of a new five‑year International Strategy to bring greater clarity, alignment, and coordination to how we engage globally. The Academic Plan (2025-2023)’s Internationalization and Global Engagement focus area identifies five institution‑wide goals that reflect where SFU needs to grow in order to remain globally competitive and values‑aligned. This strategy process will translate those goals into clear priorities, principles, and actions—co‑designed with the SFU community.
The International Strategy will build on previous community consultations and efforts aligned with the advancement of the university’s other existing strategic commitments to internationalization—including What’s Next: The SFU Strategy, the Strategic Research Plan (2023-2028), the People Plan, and the Equity Compass.
Why We Need You
This engagement process is the first step in delivering the goals outlined in the Internationalization and Global Engagement focus areas, which calls for the mobilization of a pan‑university plan developed through broad community consultation and engagement.
By inviting faculty and staff into the early stages of strategy development, we are continuing the work of previous consultations about the Academic Plan to co‑create an institutional international strategy—one that reflects the priorities, values, and lived experience of the SFU community. This strategy will then guide how the remaining goals are advanced across learning, research, partnership development, student experience, and global impact.
How to Share Your Feedback
- [Take the Online Survey] – Open Now: A brief, 15‑minute way to share your perspectives.
- In‑Person Conversations: small, focused conversations in April. These will be modest in number—we’re prioritizing meaningful conversation over scale.
- April 21: In-person 10:00-11:00am → REGISTER HERE
- April 23: Virtual 2:30-3:30pm → REGISTER HERE
We’re seeking your insights on:
SFU’s strengths, gaps, and opportunities in global engagement
What values and principles should guide our international work
Considerations, risks, or barriers we should be attentive to
Priorities that would best support students, faculty, and staff in international learning, research, and partnership development
Your feedback will directly inform the goals and focus areas of the strategy. This ensures that community input meaningfully shapes the future direction of SFU’s internationalization work—not just the “how,” but also the “why” and “what next.”
Timeline
- March – Online Faculty & Staff Survey
- April – Faculty & Staff Conversations | Faculty / Unit / Division Engagement
- May - Student Conversations TBC
- Oct – Launch International Strategy & Implementation Plan TBC
We know spring can be a full and busy period across the university. The engagement process is intentionally light and flexible so that as many people as possible can contribute in ways that fit their schedules. Your participation, in whatever form is possible, is greatly appreciated.
How the 5 Academic Plan Goals Connect to This Strategy Work
Goal 1: Develop and implement an internationalization and global engagement plan
This strategy process is itself a direct response to Goal 1. Through surveys and in‑person conversations, we are inviting faculty, staff, and students to shape a plan that reflects SFU’s values and strengthens our global presence. The engagement approach—light, focused, community‑centered.
Goal 2: Amplify global impact through teaching, research, scholarship and community engagement
The strategy will surface where global interdisciplinary research, teaching, and partnership strengths already exist and identify structures or incentives needed to amplify them. Input from faculty and research groups will help us understand how to better support cross‑disciplinary international work and where ethical or logistical barriers exist.
Goal 3: Enhance global and experiential learning opportunities that attract diverse learners and promote cross-cultural understanding and engagement
Community feedback will help us determine the types of partnerships and mobility opportunities (study abroad, dual degrees, co‑op, global experiential learning) that provide the most value to students and academic units. The strategy will also outline the criteria, regions, and partnership models that best align with SFU’s mission and strengths.
Goal 4: Enhance the international student experience by fostering a supportive, inclusive, and globally connected environment that promotes mutual learning and cultural exchange between international and Canadian students, thereby enriching the educational experience of all students
The strategy will define a coordinated institutional approach to recruitment, advising, and student experience for international students. Engagement activities will help identify gaps in support—academic, wellbeing, transition, equity‑related—and ensure the strategy reflects the lived experience of students, advisors, and faculty.
Goal 5: Strengthen and leverage global alumni and partner networks
Through consultation, we will learn how to better connect academic units with alumni networks, influencers, and partners abroad. The strategy will explore how these relationships can create new learning pathways, research collaborations, mentorship opportunities, and philanthropic support.
Thank You
Thank you for taking the time to help shape an international strategy that reflects SFU’s values, strengths, and aspirations as a globally engaged university. Your thoughtful engagement is deeply appreciated.