The University of Waterloo's next vice-president academic and provost is a highly respected professor and accomplished senior administrator at the University of Toronto.

Ian OrchardProfessor Ian Orchard is a distinguished professor of biology at the University of Toronto Mississauga. He served as a vice-president of the University of Toronto, and principal of the University of Toronto Mississauga for eight years, during which time he led the growth and development of the University of Toronto Mississauga into a semi-autonomous campus of the University of Toronto. He was previously the University of Toronto's first vice-provost, students, and also held positions as vice-dean and associate dean in the Faculty of Arts & Science.

"His proven track record as a forward-thinking and engaged senior administrator and commitment to excellence makes Professor Orchard a natural choice as Waterloo's next vice-president academic and provost," said Feridun Hamdullahpur, president and vice-chancellor of the University of Waterloo. "His breadth of talent and experience will support us in our efforts to becoming one of the top innovation universities in the world. I am very excited to have Professor Orchard joining our team.”

At the University of Toronto, Professor Orchard helped implement the university’s student financial aid program, established guaranteed funding packages for doctoral-stream students, and oversaw unprecedented enrolment and financial growth at the Mississauga campus.

In recognition for his contribution, the University of Toronto established the Ian Orchard Student Initiatives Fund in 2010. Its goal is to enhance the student experience and strengthen the sense of community through the funding of student-led projects and events.

“Waterloo has a well-deserved international reputation for innovation, extraordinary research, and a groundbreaking approach to entrepreneurship and co-operative education,” said Professor Orchard.  “I am looking forward to working with all segments of the university community to help Waterloo achieve the goals set out in its strategic plan, and achieve its full potential as a world leader in higher education."

An expert in insect neurobiology with more than 200 research publications, Professor Orchard has been funded by NSERC since 1982, has chaired the NSERC Animal Physiology Grant Selection Committee, and has presented numerous invited papers at international conferences. He earned a Doctor of Science degree (1988), a PhD (1975), and a B.Sc. (1972), all from the University of Birmingham, in England.

Professor Orchard succeeds Professor Geoff McBoyle, who served as vice-president academic and provost on an interim basis. His five-year term at Waterloo begins July 1, 2014.

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