OISE expertise contributes to Canada–Saudi dialogue on workforce development and human capability
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia — As Canada and Saudi Arabia strengthen economic and investment ties, expertise from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) is contributing to international conversations about one of the most important drivers of long-term prosperity: developing the human capability needed to support innovation, productivity, and economic transformation.
During Prime Minister Mark Carney’s official visit to Saudi Arabia, Dr. Elisabeth Rees-Johnstone, Executive Director of OISE Continuing & Professional Learning and InnovED incubator (OISE CPL), joined the Canadian delegation at the Canada–Saudi Business and Investment Forum in Jeddah.
Organized by the Ministry of Investment of Saudi Arabia and the Embassy of Canada, the forum brought together leaders from government, industry, investment, and education to explore opportunities for collaboration across sectors including artificial intelligence, energy, mining, healthcare, and innovation.
As part of the forum, Rees-Johnstone participated in the education roundtable held immediately before the Prime Minister’s keynote address. The discussion examined how workforce development, lifelong learning, and organizational capability can support economic diversification and help countries respond to rapid technological change.
“Across every conversation—whether in artificial intelligence, mining, healthcare, education, or investment—the same message emerged,” said Rees-Johnstone. “Sustainable economic growth depends not only on investment in technology and infrastructure, but also on investment in people. Countries need the capability to continuously learn, adapt, and apply knowledge if they are to realize the full value of those investments.”
Canada’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Jean-Philippe Linteau, highlighted the longstanding role of the University of Toronto in strengthening educational collaboration between the two countries, noting that
“human capital development is one of the strongest bonds that exists between our two countries, including the work by the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto for decades.”
The discussions reflected growing international recognition that universities have an increasingly important role beyond traditional degree education.
Continuing professional learning, executive education, and workforce development are how governments, organizations, and industries develop the leadership, professional capability, and institutional capacity needed to respond to changing economic and technological conditions.
For OISE CPL, participation in the forum reflects its role as an international partner in professional learning, leadership development, and organizational capability. Working with governments, educational organizations, and industry partners in Canada and around the world, OISE CPL enables the translation of research into practice by designing learning experiences that strengthen institutions, develop leaders, and build the capability required for sustained innovation and performance.
“While countries face different economic priorities, the need to develop human capability is universal,” said Rees-Johnstone. “International collaboration allows us to learn from one another, share evidence and experience, and strengthen the systems that enable people, organizations, and communities to thrive.”
The engagement builds on OISE’s longstanding commitment to international collaboration and supports the University of Toronto’s broader mission to mobilize knowledge for societal and economic impact. It also reflects the University’s growing contribution to global conversations on workforce development, lifelong learning, and the role of higher education in preparing individuals and institutions for an increasingly knowledge-based economy.
Learn more: Dr. Rees-Johnstone on Rethinking Workforce Development in a Knowledge Economy