A cohort of UCL School of Management undergraduate and postgraduate students recently returned from an intensive five-day Global Impact Week in Toronto. Organised by the UCL School of Management Global Engagement team, students explored opportunities and challenges within Canada’s economic and innovation engine, blending sessions at Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto with company visits and cultural immersion.
As a major financial centre, the fastest growing tech hub in North America and one of the world’s most multicultural cities, Toronto proved an ideal location for students to investigate Canada’s approach to innovation, finance and sustainability.
Kickstarting the trip with cultural exploration, students from across programmes connected over a welcome dinner and full day exploration of Niagara Falls and the historic town of Niagara-on-the-Lake, providing the group with an insight into the region’s geography and tourism economy of Ontario.
Sessions at Rotman School of Management formed the academic heart of the trip, with a series of thought-provoking lectures and lively discussions over two days.
Exploring Business in the 6ix
Day 1 at Rotman opened with Professor Beatrix Dart, provided a fascinating overview of Canada’s major industries, Toronto’s business landscape, business unicorns and its role as an AI hub.
Zayna Khayat, Health Futurist offered an inside look at Toronto’s rapidly expanding health and biotech scene and the future of health innovation.
UCL's Global Network
The afternoon featured an Alumni Roundtable, hosted by UCL School of Management Senior Employer Engagement Officer Nida Siddiqui. Students had the privilege of hearing a diverse range of perspectives from UCL alumni with expertise in investment, product leadership, enterprise strategy, and ESG.
We are incredibly grateful to Gregory Chaim Kim, Catherine Kameja, Nick Langford, and Mohamed Gohary, who shared their trajectories from UCL to the Canadian business world. The day concluded with a mixer at the Duke of York, where students networked with the wider UCL community living in Toronto.
Technology, AI and Digital Transformation
Day 2 at Rotman kicked off with an insightful session on Toronto’s digital transformation and the evolving landscape of AI, led by Paolo Salomão, Rotman Executive-in-Residence and Managing Director and National Strategy Lead, Accenture.
The conversation was put into context with visit to Microsoft Canada, hosted by Mona Kothari-Chitalia, Managing Director, Industry Advisory and Worldwide Financial Services. Here students explored how Microsoft Canada works with industry and ecosystems to innovate at scale. The day ended with a walking tour of the city, highlighting Toronto’s unique architectural and commercial history.
International Finance and Innovation
The midpoint of the week focused on the pillars of Canadian commerce as the group visited the offices of McMillan law firm, where David Olsen, CEO of PNC Bank Canada was joined by McMillan Partners Suzana Lobo and John Teolis, for an illuminating discussion exploring cross border banking and the global issues affecting the financial sector in Canada.
Following a lunchtime exploration of the historic St. Lawrence Market, the group turned their attention to Toronto as an innovation hub. A session at the Toronto Business Development Centre (TBDC), hosted by Director of Marketing Cia Prior, provided a roadmap of Canada’s innovation landscape and insights into the Toronto startup ecosystem.
After enjoying a birds-eye view of the city from the CN tower, students had the option of attending the MaRS and Innovate UK Manufacturing Disruptor Showcase at MaRS Discovery District, Canada’s anchor innovation hub. Here, they heard pitches from UK startups preparing to launch and scale within the Canadian market.
Sustainable Business Models
The final day began with an immersive tour of Evergreen Brick Works, a repurposed industrial heritage site and award-winning hub for sustainable practices. Chelsea Carrs, Associate Director of Strategic Partnerships, discussed urban sustainability and the importance of public-private partnerships in the success of Evergreen Brick Works.
Following the visit, the group enjoyed a middle eastern spread for a farewell lunch.
Reflecting on the success of the trip, Julia Chapman, Senior Global Engagement Officer, noted: "The inaugural Global Impact Week in Toronto was an exciting milestone in UCL School of Management’s mission to provide students with a truly global learning experience snf connecting theory with practice. We are incredibly grateful to Rotman School of Management our company hosts and the Toronto alumni community for their warmth and for providing such invaluable insights into the Canadian business landscape."
Find out more about Global Engagement at UCL School of Management
