CASLPO News

Registrant Spotlight: Mathew Kuruvilla – Clinical Supervisor for International Applicants

How volunteer clinical supervision helps internationally educated professionals take their final step toward CASLPO registration.  

Starting a professional career in a new country can be challenging—especially for internationally educated applicants to CASLPO. While most of CASLPO’s international applicants meet all academic requirements, some, who arrive with otherwise strong clinical backgrounds, are missing a small number of required “minor area” clinical practicum hours (about 20) in the complementary discipline: audiology hours for speech-language pathology applicants, or vice versa.  

To meet this requirement, applicants are responsible for finding a qualified supervisor on their own. Without an established professional network, this can be a challenge. That’s where volunteers like Mathew Kuruvilla (AUD) make a big difference.  

Mathew knows the process well. After completing his audiology education in India, he navigated his own path to CASLPO registration. Today, he gives back by supervising internationally educated applicants who need those final practicum hours. 

Here’s what Mathew shared in a recent interview:

What motivated you to volunteer to assist international applicants to CASLPO?

“My motivation to volunteer comes from my own journey as an international applicant to CASLPO more than a decade ago. I vividly remember the challenges I faced during that time—the uncertainty, the learning curve, and the need for clear guidance.

Fortunately, I received tremendous support from both CASLPO staff and registrants, which made a lasting impact on me. In particular, I am deeply grateful to my initial advisors (informal mentors) in Canada, Mrs. Gale and Mr. Shaw, who generously shared their time and insight to help me find my footing. Their kindness and guidance inspired me to pay it forward.

I know how much of a difference mentorship and encouragement can make, and I want to offer that same support to others going through the process. Volunteering gives me the opportunity to help international applicants feel more confident, informed, and welcomed as they take steps toward becoming registered professionals in Ontario.”

What do you find most rewarding about this experience?

“What I find most rewarding about this experience is the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in someone’s professional journey. Supporting international applicants as they navigate the CASLPO registration process allows me to give back to a system and community that once supported me.

Seeing applicants grow in confidence, gain clarity, and eventually achieve registration is incredibly fulfilling. I’ve personally experienced how valuable support can be during that journey. I’ll always remember how approachable and helpful Ms. Joglekar was whenever I had questions or needed practice guidance. She would take her valuable time, often through emails and phone calls, to ensure I felt comfortable with what I was doing, always helping me stay aligned with CASLPO’s standards. That kind of patient, generous support had a lasting impact on me and deeply motivated me to offer the same to others.

It’s also rewarding to connect with people from diverse backgrounds and share not just information, but encouragement and reassurance. I know how isolating and overwhelming the process can feel at times, so being a source of support, just as others were for me, feels both personally and professionally enriching. It’s a privilege to be part of their transition into the profession and to help them feel a sense of belonging within the Canadian healthcare system.”

Is there anything else that you would like to share about the experience?

“Yes, what stands out to me most about this experience is how mutually beneficial it has been. While I volunteered to support others, I found that I’ve grown a lot myself—both personally and professionally.

Every conversation with an international applicant reminds me of the resilience and dedication that people bring to this profession, and it inspires me to keep learning and improving. This experience has also deepened my understanding of the CASLPO standards and the importance of clear, compassionate communication when guiding others.
It has strengthened my sense of community and connection within the profession, and it’s incredibly fulfilling to know that I can help make someone’s transition into practice in Ontario a little smoother and more encouraging.

Most importantly, it reminded me how powerful small acts of support can be because I once benefited from them myself. Being able to now provide that same support is truly an honour.”

Mathew has already supervised three international applicants. One of them, Davide—trained in speech-language pathology in the UK—was struggling to find a supervisor. With Mathew’s support, he completed his hours and is now a fully registered CASLPO member. 

Supervising an international applicant involves a modest but meaningful time commitment: providing observation opportunities, overseeing the required direct patient contact hours (either solo or shared), and completing a two-page clinical practicum evaluation checklist.

To qualify, supervisors must: 

• Have at least four years of professional experience 
• Have supervised a master’s-level university student in audiology or speech-language pathology 
• Be in good standing with CASLPO 

CASLPO is creating a list of registrants who are open to volunteering to supervise internationally educated applicants needing minor hours. If you would like to add your name to the list (with no obligation) or want more information about this initiative, contact Jennifer Cupit (Research, Data & Policy Analyst) at [email protected].  

Thank you, Mathew, for your generosity and leadership. Your support is helping to grow a stronger, more inclusive profession in Ontario. If an international applicant reaches out to you, consider volunteering. Your support could be the final step that helps someone launch their professional journey—and strengthens our professions for the future.