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As the University of Calgary marks its 60th anniversary, one of the most enduring themes is a deep commitment to global collaboration. For decades, UCalgary has built bridges with institutions around the world — partnerships that enrich student learning, spark world‑class research and connect alumni across continents.

Among these relationships, the university’s two‑decade partnership with (NTU) in Singapore stands out for its depth, longevity and impact, especially given that NTU is currently ranked 12th globally in the .

“International collaboration has been part of UCalgary’s DNA from the beginning,” says UCalgary President Ed McCauley. “As we celebrate 60 years, we honour the global partners who help us expand the student experience, deepen research connections and strengthen our worldwide community of alumni. Partnerships like the one with NTU truly reflect the depth and breadth of our international engagement — and our vision for the decades ahead.”

Alumni leadership shaped by global experience

Few voices speak more powerfully to the legacy of UCalgary’s international impact than alumni who carry the university’s spirit into their global careers, such as Dr. Joseph Sung, MD, PhD'92, dean of NTU’s (LKC) and one of Asia’s most respected medical leaders.

Originally from Hong Kong, Sung took his PhD at UCalgary from 1989 to 1992 under the supervision of the late Dr. Bill Costerton, PhD, a groundbreaking biofilm researcher whose influence resonates throughout global microbiome science.

He describes UCalgary as a young and rising university with strengths that naturally attract international collaboration. These strengths include biofilm science, infectious disease, climate change and environmental health, and energy and environment.

“UCalgary will always have a special place in my heart,” says Sung. “My three years in Calgary were an eye‑opening period. UCalgary taught me not only science and nature, it also gave me the opportunity to interact with scholars from different parts of the world and different walks of life. That experience was invaluable and shaped my academic path.”

Sung continues to support the relationship between UCalgary and NTU, including welcoming UCalgary students who come to Singapore.

NTU highlights student experiences and UCalgary partnership impact

Over the past two decades, nearly 100 students from NTU and UCalgary have taken part in semester exchanges and short‑term programs. For many, these experiences have been defining moments that shape career paths, expand world views and build personal confidence.

Studying in a different academic system challenges students to adapt, communicate across cultures and see problems through new lenses. Students often return home with a stronger sense of identity, greater independence and lifelong friendships.

What began with a handful of exchange students has grown into a relationship that now includes faculty visits, joint initiatives and significant research collaborations. NTU notes that international partnerships like NTU–UCalgary play an essential role in preparing students for a global workforce. They nurture adaptability, cross‑cultural communication and collaborative problem solving, capabilities that are increasingly important in today’s world.

NTU’s approach to global engagement emphasizes long‑term relationships that integrate education, research and faculty exchange across its international network. Within this model, UCalgary remains a valued partner, contributing meaningfully to student development and advancing focused research.

Advancing research with global impact

“For a research‑intensive institution like UCalgary, international partnerships with universities such as NTU are vital,” says , MD'90, vice-president (research). “They give our researchers access to specialized facilities and expertise, enabling them to pursue broader questions and drive breakthroughs that benefit communities worldwide.”

A key example is the developing program between LKC Medicine and UCalgary researchers focused on brain and gut health. The initiative, led by NTU's Dr. Lim Kah‑Leong, PhD, and Dr. Sunny Wong, DPhil, and UCalgary’s Dr. , PhD, explores how microbiome biology, immune signalling and metabolic pathways influence neural development and brain function.

Kurrasch, a professor in the Department of Medical Genetics and Biochemistry & Molecular Biology and a member of the at the , was recently appointed Visiting Professor at LKC Medicine. Her one‑year appointment will support the creation of a transdisciplinary research centre focused on healthy brain aging. The centre will bring together approximately seven principal investigators from UCalgary, five from LKC Medicine and three from the .

“As global populations age, understanding the mechanisms that support healthy brain aging is essential,” says Kurrasch. “This work can influence preventative and therapeutic strategies to protect brain health. I am especially excited to advance this research through comparative aging studies in long‑lived bats housed at LKC Medicine.” 

Looking forward to the next 60 years

As UCalgary celebrates six decades of academic excellence, partnerships like the one with NTU highlight the university’s long‑standing commitment to global engagement. Today, UCalgary’s global engagement includes roughly 300 ongoing international partnership agreements spanning about 60 countries. These collaborations enrich learning, strengthen research and create opportunities that extend beyond campus.

The UCalgary–NTU relationship exemplifies the kind of international partnership the university aims to cultivate as it looks toward its next 60 years.