McGill University’s Global Engagement Strategic Framework 2026–2031 reflects the university’s commitment to fostering a more connected and collaborative world through research, education and partnership.
Rooted in McGill’s mission and aligned with the university’s broader strategic priorities, the Global Engagement Strategic Framework provides a clear structure for how McGill engages globally in ways that strengthen both our local community and our international impact.
The Office of the Vice-President, Global Engagement serves as a support and convening unit across McGill. Its role is not to centralize international activity, but to facilitate connections across faculties, units, and partners, helping initiatives grow through collaboration, visibility, and strategic alignment.
Guiding Principles
A Locally Anchored, Globally Preeminent Institution
McGill embraces its identity as a university that is both deeply rooted in Montréal and Québec and globally connected in its reach and impact.
Expanding Indigenous Education through Global Research and Exchange
Meaningful global engagement must include and be guided by Indigenous perspectives, leadership, and knowledge systems.
Embedding Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Global Engagement
By embedding inclusion into all global initiatives, McGill strengthens its role as a bridge between local and global communities while advancing a more equitable and just world.
Addressing Climate Change through Global Collaboration
McGill’s Framework integrates sustainability into global research, partnerships, and mobility, while supporting responsible and environmentally conscious engagement practices.
McGill’s Commitment to Sustainable Development
McGill’s global engagement contributes directly to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Partnerships remain central to this work, strengthening McGill’s ability to contribute to a more sustainable future.
Avenues for Global Engagement
McGill’s Global Engagement Strategic Framework is articulated through five avenues that translate the broader strategic themes into concrete areas of activity and collaboration. The objective is to create alignment across multiple avenues wherever possible, strengthening collaboration and building durable long-term institutional momentum.
Impactful International Research
McGill advances international research collaboration to address complex global challenges through multidisciplinary excellence and partnerships that span borders. This avenue supports the creation and dissemination of knowledge through global networks of scholars, research institutes, governments, and communities. Its aim is to strengthen McGill’s research impact while contributing solutions to aligned with McGill Strategic Research Priorities.
Global Citizenship
Global citizenship focuses on preparing students and scholars to thrive in an interconnected world. This includes student mobility, exchange, international learning opportunities, and experiences that foster intercultural understanding, global awareness, and leadership. Our goal is to ensure that McGill graduates are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and perspectives needed to contribute meaningfully across borders and cultures.
McGill’s Global Alumni Network
McGill’s global alumni community is one of its greatest strengths. This avenue focuses on strengthening lifelong relationships with alumni around the world and mobilizing this network to support mentorship, partnership development, philanthropy, recruitment, and institutional visibility. The global alumni network extends McGill’s reach and reinforces its long-term presence in key regions and sectors worldwide.
Meaningful International Partnerships
Strategic partnerships are central to McGill’s global presence. This avenue supports long-term collaborations with universities, governments, industry, international organizations, and community partners that align with McGill’s mission and values. These partnerships create opportunities across research, education, policy, innovation, and social impact while strengthening McGill’s institutional relationships worldwide.
Transnational Education
Transnational education expands access to McGill’s academic excellence beyond traditional campus boundaries. This includes collaborative programming, academic hubs, joint initiatives, hybrid education models, and new forms of international learning and research exchange. The aim is to broaden access to high-quality education while creating innovative pathways for collaboration and knowledge sharing across borders.
