The World University Service of Canada (WUSC) is a left-of-center philanthropic organization which sponsors refugees to place them into Canadian schools and universities. It also supports various educational initiatives around the world while conducting advocacy to shape public opinion in Canada to favor migrant resettlement.

Founded in the 1920s, the WUSC originally focused on assisting students in parts of Europe impacted by the First World War, but has since developed a global reach. Members of the organization include both Canadian higher education institutions and individual supporters. ^{1 2}

Activities

The flagship initiative of the World University Service of Canada is its Student Refugee Program. Launched in 1978, the program operates in partnership with the Canadian immigration, refugee, and citizenship agency to identify individuals in foreign countries perceived to be need of resettlement, then places them into a school or university in Canada. The program also includes “local committees” which raise funds and awareness on college campuses and provide services to resettled migrants at colleges. ²

As of 2022, the WUSC was most active in Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia. ³

Impact

The World University Service of Canada has indicated that it currently has more than 150 resettled students in its support program, and that it has helped import more than 2,200 migrants since the launch of the Student Refugee Program in 1978. The organization maintains partnerships with more than 100 universities, colleges, and vocational schools. ²

Supporters

The World University Service of Canada accepts funding from the Canadian government, the United States government through the Department of State, the British government through its Department for International Development, and from the African Development Bank. The WUSC also receives support from the D. Keith MacDonald Foundation, a Canada-based grantmaking organization which practices “impact investing” – a form of ESG (environmental, social, and governance) activism used to further left-of-center political and societal goals. ^{4 5}

Leadership

Chris Whitaker is the World University Service of Canada board chair. He is a career education executive, and has also been on the board of the Kingston, Ontario United Way Worldwide chapter. Whitaker received a doctorate from the University of Toronto at Ontario, as well as a master’s degree from York University and a bachelor’s degree from Queen’s University, both also in Ontario. ¹

Chris Eaton is the executive director of the WUSC. He previously spent a decade at the Aga Khan Foundation, first as the director of programs for Canada and later as the chief executive director for Afghanistan. The foundation is affiliated with Ismailism, a sect of Shia Islam, and is named after the title of the sect’s spiritual leader, the Aga Khan. Eaton received a bachelor’s degree in international development and a master’s degree in political science from the University of Toronto. ^{6 7}

Nicole Lacasse is the vice board chair of the WUSC. She previously worked with international organizations, notably including the World Bank. Lacasse received an international law doctorate from the University of Paris. ¹

Financials

As of early 2022, the World University Service of Canada reported net assets of more than CA$ 18 million ($13.1 million USD). That year, it reported just over CA$ 40 million ($29 million USD) in revenue. The Canadian government gives the organization tens of millions of dollars a year, with the British and other governments contributing millions of dollars annually as well. ³

Since 2007, the WUSC has received more than US$ 12 million from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, one of the largest grantmaking organizations in the world and a leading contributor to left-of-center causes in the United States and abroad. ⁸

1. “Mission and Values.” WUSC. Accessed October 19, 2023. https://wusc.ca/about/
2. “Student Refugee Program.” WUSC. Accessed October 19, 2023. https://srp.wusc.ca/about/
3. “2021 – 2022 Annual Report.” WUSC. Accessed October 19, 2023. https://assets.wusc.ca/annual-reports/wusc-annual-report-2021-2022-en.pdf
4. “What We Do.” WUSC. Accessed October 19, 2023. https://wusc.ca/what-we-do/
5. “Catalyzing community impact through partnerships.” Impact Investing Canada. Accessed October 19, 2023. https://impactinvesting.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Case-Study-D-Keith-MacDonald-Foundation.pdf
6. Chris Eaton. LinkedIn. Accessed October 19, 2023. https://ca.linkedin.com/in/chris-eaton-01891396
7. “Our Founder And Chairman.” AKDN. Accessed October 19, 2023. https://the.akdn/en/who-we-are/our-founder-and-chairman
8. “Committed Grants Database – World University Service of Canada.” Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Accessed October 19, 2023. https://www.gatesfoundation.org/about/committed-grants?q=World%20University%20Service%20of%20Canada