President Goel reflects on the academic year as we head into the summer months
As we head into the Canada Day long weekendÌý²¹²Ô»å summer monthsÌý(a reminder that the University will be closed for an additional day this Monday), I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible year w±ð’v±ð had at the University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ. It has been a year of progress and momentum, marked by the creativity, commitment, and care that define our community.Across our campuses, in our labs and studios, and in communities around the world, UÀ¶Ý®ÊÓƵ continues to be guided by our values as w±ð’v±ð celebrated major milestones and laid the groundwork for the future.Ìý
Thanks to the hard work of our Community Relations and Events team who organize Convocation, this June, thousands of graduates from multiple classes crossed the stage to receive their degrees, diplomas, and certificates. As I shared the stage with Jagdeep Singh Bachher, the University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ’s committed new Chancellor, we couldn’t help but see that for some, this moment had been years in the making—and for all, it was their entrance into the exclusive club of 255,000+ members of the UÀ¶Ý®ÊÓƵ global alumni network.Ìý
This year we continued to make important investments in our physical spaces and long-term vision of being Canada’s leading university in health technology innovation. The announcement that our North Campus will be home to the region’s new hospital signals an exciting new chapter of collaboration between healthcare providers, researchers, and educators.Ìý
That vision is already taking shape at our Health Sciences Campus in downtown Kitchener, where we celebrated the opening of the . This new space is equipped with cutting‑edge labs, workshops, and collaboration zones, and has become home to , enabling our flagship incubator to grow beyond its original garage footprint.Ìý
These health-related investments also connect to our leadership in digital-health scale-up and applied research. Hosting the Times Higher Education Digital Health 2025 summit in April brought more than 200 global leaders to campus, highlighting À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ’s ability to shape the future of patient-care innovation through research, entrepreneurship, and partnerships.Ìý
As the weather warms, ±õ’v±ð noticed the new Indigenous Outdoor Gathering Space being used as it was intended—a shady stop on the way between classes, work, and meals, where students and employees can pause, relax, and reflect.Ìý
The l, designed by Indigenous artist Kyle Joedicke, is another example of what it means to act with purpose in our efforts to decolonize campus. Ten per cent of revenue from merchandise sales featuring the new logo goes directly to the Indigenous Student Development Fund, supporting the next generation of leaders.Ìý
Throughout the year, our community has continued to engage with complex and often difficult conversations, from affordability and mental health to free expression and belonging. These dialogues are central to our academic mission and are essential to our growth. They remind us that being a values-based institution means not shying away from hard questions, but approaching them with openness, care, and a willingness to listen and learn.Ìý
While this year has also brought financial challenges that required tough decisions and collective resilience, I have been encouraged by the way our community has responded—with creativity, care, and a shared commitment to our mission.Ìý
I want to acknowledge the enormous contributions of our faculty and staff this year. Even in these challenging circumstances our Advancement team raised a total of $66.7 million last year. This achievement highlights the kind of dedication and creativity shaping every success w±ð’v±ð celebrated, and I know many of you are looking forward to well‑deserved time off this summer.Ìý
For those with children, I know many of you will be staying connected to campus through our growing slate of summer programs for kids, creating new ways for families to engage with À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ.Ìý
To our students, thank you for your curiosity, leadership, and resilience. Whether you are taking summer courses, travelling, enjoying time off, or continuing your co‑op work terms, your energy and ideas are what drive this institution forward. The co‑op experience remains one of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ’s most distinctive strengths, and each of you taking part in work terms this summer are experiencing a somewhat unique opportunity to learn and gain job experience by doing.Ìý
As we continue the community engagement work on the new Campus Plan, I encourage everyone to participate in the Open Houses and surveys taking place this summer. Your input and collaboration will ensure our physical spaces reflect the future ·É±ð’r±ð building together.Ìý
Looking ahead, we will carry this momentum into what will be an exciting and productive fall. Thank you for everything you have done this year. I wish each of you a restful, safe, and joyful summer.Ìý
