Brian Long retired from COL in 2006.
Brian Long joined COL on September 1, 1998, as Director with responsibilities for programme and staff management, resource allocation and representation to the wider community. In June 2000, he was promoted to Vice President and on 1 July, 2002, he was given the additional responsibility as Chief Operating Officer of COL International and of overseeing COL's fee-for-service activity.
Mr. Long was formerly with the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade for close to 30 years, his last position being Director of the International Academic Relations Division, which placed him at the centre of Canada's response to international education issues. He has also been a constant and knowledgeable spokesperson on behalf of the Commonwealth of Learning.
At DFAIT, Mr. Long was responsible for Canada's international academic relations, including the federal/provincial relations aspects, policies, programmes and the marketing of Canadian educational goods and services. One of the major programmes for which he was responsible was the Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Programme. Working closely with COL, he was instrumental in securing the support of DFAIT for piloting a new dimension to this programme drawing on the opportunities afforded by open learning and distance education. The pilot, strongly endorsed by the then Minister, the Honourable Lloyd Axworthy, is currently being run by COL in the Caribbean.
Mr. Long has received a number of honours for his work in support of Canadian Studies internationally.
