McMaster Champions Equity and Engagement at Global U21 Summit

The Universitas 21 (U21) Annual Network Meeting and Presidential Symposium, held this year at the University of California, Davis, convened leaders from the network world-class research-intensive universities across six continents for robust discussions about the evolving role of higher education. Under the theme “Imagining the Future of Higher Education,” the event provided a platform for knowledge exchange and strategic collaboration, focused on how universities can collectively respond to global challenges through research, education, and public engagement. 

As a long-standing member of the U21 network, McMaster University joined peers from across the globe in contributing to these vital conversations. Representing McMaster were Dr. Bonny Ibhawoh, Vice-Provost (International) and Deputy Chair of the U21 Senior Leaders’ Group, and Dr. Amira El Masri, Director of the Office of International Affairs and McMaster’s U21 Officer. Their participation underscored McMaster’s commitment to strengthening international partnerships and advancing shared goals across the U21 community. 

Sharing Regional Perspectives and Global Insights 

Dr. Ibhawoh played a key role in facilitating dialogue by chairing the Senior Leaders’ Session, a structured networking opportunity offering a forum to reflect on contemporary issues in higher education across the world, including student mobility, equity in access, and opportunities for transnational collaboration.  

As Deputy Chair of the U21 Senior Leaders Group, Dr. Ibhawoh also provided an update on U21 activities and future directions during the Clusters and Senior Leaders Update Panel, highlighting ongoing initiatives that support international collaboration across the network. 

In addition, Dr. Ibhawoh contributed to a panel discussion on “The Responsibilities of Universities to Underrepresented Communities,” where he joined other university leaders in exploring institutional strategies for inclusive engagement and support for historically marginalized groups. He also presented findings from a U21-led internationalization survey, outlining ways member institutions can strengthen their global connections and create more equitable international learning opportunities. 

Advancing Equity and Institutional Responsibility 

Dr. Amira El Masri engaged with international colleagues through the U21 Officers Meetings, which brings together key staff responsible for operationalizing U21 initiatives at member institutions. These officers play a critical role in implementing collaborative activities, sharing institutional innovations, and helping advance the collective mission of the U21 network. 

U21 Officers Group 

As part of her engagement, Dr. El Masri attended a pre-conference workshop focused on institutional responsibility in building meaningful relationships with Indigenous nations, communities, and organizations. The workshop encouraged participants to reflect on how higher education institutions can honor Indigenous knowledge systems and uphold commitments to reconciliation and decolonization within global academic networks. 

Recognizing Inclusive Practices and Research Collaboration 

The U21 symposium also featured the release of the U21 Disability Inclusion Policy Mapping Report which highlighted promising practices across the network. McMaster’s MacStart: Transition Program for Students with Disabilities was featured as a best-practice model for inclusive access and student support. The full version of the report is expected to be launched later this month and will provide a framework for advancing accessibility initiatives across U21 institutions. 

Another highlight of the event was the announcement of the 2025 U21 Collaborative Seed Fund recipients, which support interdisciplinary and cross-border research partnerships. The Community of Practice Award was granted to the initiative “Strengthening and Expanding the International Dementia Network Community of Practice,” led by the University of Nottingham in collaboration with the University of Connecticut, and McMaster University. The McMaster team includes: 

• Dr. Anthony Levinson, Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences 

• Dr. Sharon Kaasalainen, Professor, School of Nursing 

• Dr. Ashwini Namasivayam-MacDonald, Assistant Professor, School of Rehabilitation Science 

Their collaboration aims to advance international knowledge-sharing and resource development in dementia care, underscoring the power of academic networks to tackle complex health challenges. 

Looking Forward Together 

Looking ahead, McMaster will proudly host the U21 Health Sciences Group 2025 Annual Meeting this August. The meeting will focus on the theme “Shifting the Tides: Addressing Health Inequities through Decolonization, Sustainability and Systems Transformation,” bringing together health sciences educators and researchers to explore how academic institutions can lead transformative change in global health and health education.  

Later this year, the University of Johannesburg will host the  U21 Global Research and Senior Leaders’ Meeting 2025, to be held in October. This annual gathering provides a forum for senior academic leaders and researchers to align strategic priorities, strengthen research collaboration, and explore solutions to shared global challenges. The theme of the meeting is “Universities as Global Anchors: Trust, Value, and Equitable Progress.” This gathering brings together members of the following U21 groups; Research Leaders, Deans and Directors of Graduate Studies, Research Collaboration Group, and Senior Leaders.