Published by Communications and Public Affairs (519) 824-4120, Ext. 56982 or 53338
Campus Bulletin
November 23, 2004
U of G announces new strategic initiatives
The president and the provost announced today new initiatives that continue the strategic realignment of U of G’s academic leadership and organization. They include considering the creation of a new college for management and business-related programs and further enhancing the University’s international profile.
“The driving force behind starting exploratory discussions on establishing a new college is the need to position the University’s core strengths in management and business-related programs while ensuring the appropriate balance of the college structure,” says president Alastair Summerlee.
Student interest in U of G’s management and business-related programs has risen dramatically over the last few years. In the bachelor of commerce program, for example, enrolment has increased by 88 per cent since the 1997/1998 academic year, and graduate enrolment has increased substantially with new executive management and leadership programs.
Prof. Chris McKenna, associate vice-president (research), has been seconded for one year starting in January to provide additional leadership to the process. He will help determine if a new college will give the University a better framework to advance teaching and research programs in these areas. McKenna will work closely with Prof. Alun Joseph, dean of the College of Social and Applied Human Sciences, on this initiative. “I am delighted to work with Chris McKenna as we advance this important vision,” Joseph said.
Provost and vice-president (academic) Maureen Mancuso added that the University will be addressing many issues in the coming year as part of the strategic realignment. This includes working with the deans and the various stakeholders in the Faculty of Environmental Sciences to determine if it has the appropriate structure to take full advantage of academic and research opportunities.
“The process will be a consultative one,” Mancuso says. “We will thoroughly engage our faculty, staff, students and alumni in the discussions.”
U of G will also be positioning its international efforts to be more effective. The overarching goals are to strengthen partnerships and collaborations in research and development, internationalize the curriculum and increase student support.
This will be accomplished by adding new responsibilities for internationalism to the mandates of the associate vice-presidents for research, academics and student affairs. Each has been asked to develop practices and procedures to ensure that the University’s objectives are achieved. Staff from the Centre for International Programs will assume key support roles within the three executive offices.
Prof. Anthony Clarke is assuming McKenna’s responsibilities during his secondment. Clarke will become acting associate vice-president (research and international relations). “I appreciate Profs. McKenna and Clarke accepting these new assignments, and I know the community will support them,” Summerlee says.
Prof. Alan Wildeman, vice-president (research), welcomed today’s announcements. “These changes will allow us to focus even more on our commitment to research and on enhancing our international profile and partnerships.”
