Memorial University offers a different perspective in its recently released President’s Report 2016.
As every year, the annual report celebrates the innovative and exceptional work of the university’s faculty, students and staff.
‘Cultivate and mobilize’
But according to Memorial President Gary Kachanoski, this year it also reflects the belief that in difficult economic times, Memorial’s special commitment to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador is vital to help build the society and the economy for the 21st century.
“Not only are we finding efficiencies in our own operations, but through groundbreaking research by faculty and students the university is supporting innovation and helping grow the economy,” said Dr. Kachanoski. “We cultivate and mobilize the talent that helps builds a culture of innovation, thereby fulfilling our special obligation to Newfoundland and Labrador.
“Memorial researchers, students and staff have always sought answers to the difficult questions facing the province,” he said. “That is no different today, but is perhaps more critical now.”
The report highlights the 2015-16 advancements in the directions outlined by the university’s three frameworks in Research, Public Engagement, and Teaching and Learning.
Historic partnership
Among the highlights was the creation earlier this year of the Ocean Frontier Institute (OFI). Supported by a nearly $100-million investment by the federal government, the OFI is an historic partnership between the flagship universities of three Atlantic Canadian provinces: Dalhousie University, the University of Prince Edward Island and Memorial University of Newfoundland.
“Memorial researchers, students and staff have always sought answers to the difficult questions facing the province.”
The OFI is the North Atlantic’s first transnational research organization and will become one of the world’s most significant ocean science research collaborations. It will focus on the globally significant North Atlantic and Canadian Arctic gateway.
The university partners are aiming for breakthroughs in the areas of sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, sustainable coastal communities, marine safety, and ocean data and technology.
Groundbreaking successes
Aside from this key institutional initiative, the past year has been filled with groundbreaking successes across the campuses, demonstrated throughout the pages of the President’s Report 2016.
Grenfell Campus’s academic restructuring created three new academic units — School of Fine Arts, School of Arts and Social Science, and School of the Science and Environment — with new deans for each announced this past summer.
The Marine Institute took another big step in developing the Holyrood Marine Base into a world-class facility to support the applied research, education, training and testing requirements of Newfoundland and Labrador’s growing ocean technology industry.
The Labrador Institute recruited a new director, while the partnership continues with the Faculty of Education to offer teacher education in the Aboriginal and northern context on site.
“That in the freedom of learning, their sacrifice might not be forgotten.”
The report also focuses on the themes of student success, Aboriginal Peoples and commemoration, particularly significant given this year is the 100th anniversary of the tragedy at Beaumont-Hamel, France, the national catastrophe that would serve as the impetus for the creation of Memorial University, “that in the freedom of learning, their sacrifice might not be forgotten.”
Online report
Dr. Kachanoski encourages all those with an interest in Newfoundland and Labrador’s university to explore the report to learn about the exceptional people studying and working at the university, and how Memorial is contributing to the social, economic and cultural life of our province, Canada and beyond.
“Please take a few moments to look through this online publication, where we more fully outline our planned progress over the past year,” he said.
To view the report, which also includes statistical and financial highlights for 2015-16, please visit here.
