Visit from University of New Brunswick Delegates Sparks Promising Academic Collaborations

On 22 July 2025, Samtse College of Education (SCE) warmly welcomed a delegation from the University of New Brunswick (UNB), Canada. The visiting team was led by Professor John A. Kershaw, Assistant Vice President Academic (Partnerships), and Professor Mary Gene Saudelli, Dean of the Faculty of Education. They were accompanied by Mr. Rob Saudelli, and Mr. Karma Tshering, Field Director of the Bhutan Canada Foundation, who facilitated the visit.

Professor Kershaw, with his extensive experience in natural sciences and academic leadership, and Professor Saudelli, known for her work in inclusive and globally engaged education, engaged in a day of rich dialogue with SCE faculty. The discussions highlighted a strong alignment between the two institutions, particularly in their shared dedication to the use of Universal Design for Learning, Place-Based Education, and Inquiry-Based Learning. These pedagogical frameworks underpin the educational philosophies at both colleges and continue to inspire efforts to enhance teaching and learning.

The delegates also shared valuable insights into the development and use of digital learning environments, highlighting e-spaces designed to streamline teaching by providing curated, accessible resources that foster more interactive and student-centred classrooms. These ideas resonate with SCE’s ongoing initiatives to integrate technology throughout its academic programs.

Throughout the visit, the groups explored various avenues for future collaboration, including co-supervision of research students, joint research and publications, academic conferences, programme reviews, support for PhD studies, and collaborative efforts to secure research funding.

This visit marks a significant step toward forging a robust academic partnership based on shared values and mutual learning. Both SCE and UNB expressed strong commitment to continuing this dialogue and developing meaningful collaborations to support faculty and student growth in the years ahead.