May 12, 2021
Prioritizing student growth and development for a decade
A highlight of Feridun Hamdullahpur’s tenure has been watching students succeed
During his time as president and vice-chancellor, Feridun Hamdullahpur has invested deeply in the success, support and development of Waterloo students. Known for approaching students on campus to chat or say hello, Hamdullahpur often took the time to make connections. Over the past decade, he has overseen the growth and development of our campuses, a renowned co-op program and many diverse initiatives, all designed to foster student learning and growth.
>Chris Read
>Associate Provost, Students
“Feridun’s genuine care for our students has been a hallmark of his leadership,” says Chris Read, associate provost, students. “Over the last decade, he’s championed and supported initiatives and programs that focus not just on student academic success, but on every aspect of the student experience here at Waterloo. These initiatives have elevated our campus culture, allowed students to thrive during their time here and set them up for success as they continue into the workforce as industry leaders and change makers.”
A growing campus
Under Hamdullapur’s leadership, 17 innovative spaces have been added to the University of Waterloo. These include our Stratford Campus, three engineering buildings, Math 3 as well as the Student Success Office and The Centre — all added to support new and growing programs.
Students spend much of their time on our campuses, and for many, it’s their first time away from home. Buildings and spaces like Claudette Millar Hall, Waterloo’s newest residence, the upcoming PAC-SLC expansion, the Field House and Hagey Hall Hub were designed for comfortable living, studying and recreation. Waterloo’s campuses have evolved to feel like home for students.
Other supports and initiatives, such as the Student Success Office (SSO) and The Centre were created to enhance the student experience by centralizing services and making more resources available to students. Both offices were crucial supports for students when Waterloo transitioned to online learning during the global pandemic.
President Feridun Hamdullaphur poses with students from different faculties at the opening of the Student Success Office in 2011.
A leader in experiential learning
Hamdullaphur’s focus on experiential learning has ensured the successful and continued growth of North America’s largest co-op program. Hands-on work experience through Waterloo’s renowned co-op program has enriched student learning, provided students with valuable job experience and prepared them for the workplace. Co-operative education opportunities are now available for the majority of undergraduate programs and many graduate programs at Waterloo. Students are better prepared to enter the workforce with 96 per cent of co-op grads, employed six months after graduation, working in positions related to skills they acquired at Waterloo.
Meeting student needs with the right supports
Through the efforts of the President’s Advisory Committee on Student Mental Health (PAC-SMH), which began in 2017, Hamdullaphur has ensured that student mental health and wellness are pressing priorities on campus. The PAC-SMH developed 36 recommendations to improve student mental health and wellness on campus, and as of March 20, 2021, 86 per cent of those recommendations have been completed through the Committee on Student Mental Health (CoSMH).
“In 2017, when the University community rallied around concerns about student mental health, Feridun became fully engaged in the discussions. He was convinced that the University needed to demonstrate an immediate strong commitment to action on mental health,” says Walter Mittelstaedt, director of Campus Wellness. “His sponsorship of the President’s Advisory Committee on Student Mental Health (PAC-SMH), and the follow-up Committee on Student Mental Health (CoSMH) has changed the University. His leadership in this area has been consistent in calling for a culture of caring at the University and a balance between academic success and student wellness.”
In 2018, President Feridun Hamdullahpur, along with Director of Campus Wellness Walter Mittelstaedt and others participated in the student mental health forum.
In addition to mental health supports, the Equity Office and the President’s Anti-Racism Taskforce (PART) were established to combat systemic racism and improve equity opportunities on campus. In 2020 alone, more than 1,700 University community members were engaged in Human Rights, Equity and Inclusion training, which provides valuable instruction on how to make our campus more inclusive.
“Leadership at the most senior level is required in order to make real systems-level change,” says Jean Becker, senior director, Indigenous Initiatives. “It was under Feridun’s leadership that important instruments of change were established, including not only the Equity Office and the President’s Anti-Racism Taskforce, but also the Indigenous Initiatives Office. These will remain important legacies for generations to come.”
>Jean Becker
>Senior Director, Indigenous Initiatives
In 2020, when PART was initiated, Hamdullahpur and taskforce rallied together with members of the Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC) communities to influence a number of positive actions, including hiring more Black and Indigenous faculty members and a full-time counsellor dedicated to the needs of BIPOC students.
The many initiatives and actions dedicated to student support and growth that have come about under the tenure of Feridun Hamdullaphur have made an incredible difference in the lives of students and helped positively shape our community. We are thankful for Feridun Hamdullaphur’s essential contributions that have fostered a culture of leadership, growth and care at Waterloo, establishing a firm foundation for the University’s promising future.
