The Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Consulate Toronto visited the City of Guelph on Tuesday, April 14, 2015 with the purpose of discussing the future educational-cultural partnership between the U.S. Consulate and the City of Guelph. The visiting PAS delegation consisted of Public Affairs Officer Hilary Renner, Cultural/ Academic Program Assistant Claudia Valladolid, and Media Specialist Madina Turdieva.
On Tuesday morning, the team arrived at Guelph University, where they attended an insightful presentation by Fulbright Canada scholar, a physical education specialist of the University of Guelph’s Department of Human Health and Nutritional Sciences, Dr. M. Felicia Cavallini at Summerlee Science Complex. Following the presentation, the team involved in a discussion with Associate Deans of College of Biological Sciences as well as met with Dr. Franco J. Vaccarino, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Guelph. The meeting was followed by a roundtable with the University of Guelph Deans at the President’s House to discuss furthering bilateral relations by fostering study and research, increasing the U.S.-Canada educational exchanges and expanding study abroad opportunities for students, future leaders and innovators, the main goal of President Obama’s 100,000 Strong in the Americas initiative.
During the visit, PAO Hilary Renner was interviewed by Guelph University’s Campus Radio CFRU reporter Andrew Vallance, after which she has departed for the City Hall to hold discussions with economic and cultural organizations of Guelph city. The team also had a meeting with Cam Guthrie, Mayor of the City of Guelph, followed by a private dinner at the Guelph Civic Museum.
More photos from the trip are available in our Flickr gallery.