As part of Colleges and Institutes Canada’s strategic international engagement strategy, member institutions are invited to participate in a high-level mission to Germany, Finland, and Norway focused on building international partnerships in defence, marine innovation, applied research, and workforce development.
Supported by the CanExport Associations program, this mission will connect participating institutions with leading universities of applied sciences, industry clusters, research organizations, and technology companies to explore opportunities for collaboration in areas that align with Canada’s defence, Arctic, marine, and security priorities.
Why Participate?
The Nordic region is globally recognized for its leadership in maritime innovation, applied research, workforce development, and advanced manufacturing. Through targeted engagement with leading European partners, participants will gain firsthand insights into emerging technologies, strengthen institutional partnerships, and identify opportunities for collaborative research, talent development, and industry-driven innovation.
Participating institutions will have the opportunity to:
- Build relationships with leading European maritime, defence, and blue economy organizations.
- Identify opportunities for applied research collaboration, technology validation, and industry-partnered innovation.
- Explore curriculum, micro-credential, and workforce training models that support Canada’s marine, shipbuilding, and defence sectors.
- Position their institution within international innovation ecosystems aligned with Canada’s defence, Arctic, and security priorities.
- Generate new partnership opportunities with universities of applied sciences, industry clusters, technology firms, and workforce development organizations.
- Strengthen institutional capacity through faculty collaboration, student mobility, talent development, and industry-connected training.
Intended for: Senior leaders responsible for international partnerships, applied research, workforce development, innovation, marine technologies, defence partnerships, and institutional strategy.
Registration closes August 1, 2026. Participation is limited to one representative per member of institution, and spaces will be confirmed on a first-come, first-served basis.
