U.S. Ambassador visits U of S Campus
Mr. David Jacobson, US Ambassador to Canada, visited the University of Saskatchewan as guests of the University of Saskatchewan's International Office, the Hanlon Centre for International Business Studies, and the Saskatchewan Economic & International Development Officer Program (SEIDO). University students completing practicums with the Saskatchewan Economic & International Development Officer Program (SEIDO) received a great opportunity to practice their ambassadorial skills by managing Mr. Jacobson's visit on campus. The US Ambassador to Canada's visit included several meetings with faculty, staff and students to help educate on US-Canada business and investment history. Parts of his visit were organized by SEIDO Student Officers Malki Mahmood, Luke Coupal and Thomas Dehod, who arranged for individual meetings between the ambassador and President's Office, faculties across campus, and as a finale an "Ambassador-Student Chat" at Convocation Hall so that Mr. Jacobson could meet with U of S students and answer their tough questions regarding Canada/US relations.
"The SEIDO Program is grateful to the university’s International Office for allowing our student officers this opportunity to gain real and practical experience dealing with an international delegate. And given the economic relationship between Canada and the US, the importance of this visit and the lessons we've learned cannot be over emphasized", said SEIDO Program Coordinator, Nick Kokkastamapoulos.
Prior to being on campus, Ambassador Jacobson was hosted by the Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership (STEP) as a guest speaker before their membership luncheon. While the Hanlon Centre for International Business Studies sponsored 30 tickets to give away to interested students wishing to hear the Ambassador's speech and network at the luncheon, SEIDO Student Officer Luke Coupal helped organized the student portion of this event. Ambassador Jacobson discussed the importance of collective energy, economic, and environmental security between Canada and the United States, and how these issues can best be dealt with at a national, regional, and international level.
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Please note this article has been updated to reflect the new name change of the “Saskatchewan Economic & International Development Officer Program” (“SEIDO”), from its former program name as the “Saskatchewan International Trade Officer Program” (“SITO”).
The Saskatchewan Economic & International Development Officer Program (SEIDO) allows university/college and high schools throughout Saskatchewan the opportunity build global business knowledge, related skills development, and training opportunities for a career in global business, international trade and development. For more information, please contact Nicholas Kokkastamapoulos (SEIDO Program Coordinator) at the Haultain Institute for International Affairs at nick.kokkas@seidoprogram.org or nkokkas@haultaininstitute.org or by telephone at (306) 715-2260. Thank you.
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