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Message from the Provost: Vinitha Gengatharan joins SFU as Executive Lead, International Strategy
International engagement is crucial to Simon Fraser University’s vision, values and priorities. We have been evolving our international strategy in response to government legislation and the changing global landscape in the past year. To support this important work, we are excited to announce that Vinitha Gengatharan will join SFU as our inaugural executive lead, international strategy, effective May 1, 2025.
This role has been created to advance SFU’s international strategic initiatives. These initiatives encompass strengthening SFU’s international brand, fostering global engagement and opportunities for students, enhancing our research impact worldwide and driving efforts to recruit and retain international students. Starting May 1, 2025, SFU International and International Services for Students will report to Vinitha with dotted line reporting into Student Services to support strong connections and collaboration.
Vinitha brings over 20 years of experience in Canadian higher education administration and 15 years of expertise in global engagement. As the assistant vice-president of global engagement and partnerships at York University, she successfully developed York’s first institutional international strategic plan, established and chaired the International Strategic Enrolment Management Working Group, created programs and services to support the academic success and wellbeing of international students, expanded global learning opportunities for all students and cultivated impactful academic and research partnerships. Vinitha also contributes to the international education sector as chair of the Ontario International Education Working Group and as a board member of the Canadian Bureau for International Education.
Before her tenure at York, Vinitha held progressively senior leadership roles at the University of Toronto, where she played a key role in advancing international engagement and global partnerships. Her efforts significantly enhanced UofT’s global reputation and expanded opportunities for international collaboration.
SFU remains committed to international engagement and collaboration during these challenging geopolitical times to advance an inclusive and sustainable future. Vinitha will be instrumental in these efforts, and we look forward to welcoming her to the SFU community.
Dilson Rassier
Provost & Vice-President, Academic
Simon Fraser University