Research interns from around the world mingled over eggs and coffee Monday morning at an event welcoming them to the campus and the country.

The University hosted a breakfast for undergraduate students visiting campus as part of the Mitacs Globalink Research Internship Program. UWindsor president Rob Gordon; Shanthi Johnson, vice-president, research and innovation; Chris Busch, associate vice-president, enrolment management; Mike Houston, director of the International Student Centre; and education professor Clayton Smith addressed the students with words of welcome.

“We are delighted to have you here,” said Dr. Johnson, who was once an international student herself. “Mitacs does a wonderful job of boosting innovation by bringing together institutions, industry, researchers, and students seeking international training opportunities. The Mitacs Globalink Research Internship will provide you with hands-on research experience while you immerse yourself in our culture.”

The interns come to Windsor from India, Mexico, Colombia, China, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, South Korea, France, Tunisia, Hong Kong, and Pakistan. This year, 39 students are working with 19 researchers across various disciplines — chemistry, engineering, mathematics, computer science, quantum technologies, education, and the social sciences.

A few interns will be arriving in the coming days, while others arrived as early as last month. The internships, for upper-year undergrads, last 12 weeks.

Mitacs is a national nonprofit organization that operates research and training programs in partnership with Canadian academia, private industry, and government.

The University is planning other events for the students, including more meet-and-greets and a bus trip to Point Pelee National Park.