A delegation from Lakehead University, Canada, consisting of Dr. James Aldridge, Vice-Provost, International Relations, and Dr. Rachid  Benlamri, Acting Chair, Faculty of Software Engineering visited Sultan Qaboos University on 23 October 2018. The delegation was received by Prof. Amer bin Ali Al Rawas, SQU Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs & Community Service and Dr. Hadj Bourdoucen, Dean of the College of Engineering and officials from the Office of International Cooperation.

The two sides discussed about the potential of collaboration between SQU and Lakehead University by means of student exchange and joint research activities. The officials from the two universities agreed on pursuing bottom up approach in collaboration and initiating partnership through student exchange and joint research in the disciplines of engineering, biotechnology, natural resources management and English language.

Lakehead University is a public research university with campuses in Thunder Bay and Orillia, Ontario, Canada and has 8,680 students. Lakehead hosts Canada Research Chairs and facilities such as Paleo-DNA Laboratory and Biorefining Research Institute. The officials from Lakehead said that their institution is exceptionally good in student research even at undergraduate levels.