The University of Waterloo’s President and Vice-Chancellor, Vivek Goel, has advised the Board of Governors that, due to family circumstances, he will not seek re-appointment when his current term ends on June 30, 2026.
On behalf of the Board of Governors and the entire Waterloo community, we offer our sincere thanks for his dedicated service so far to the University and we look forward to working together until the end of his term.
In just over three years of Vivek’s leadership, we have already accomplished so much together. The University has undertaken a visioning exercise to chart a long-term vision for the institution – Waterloo at 100 – including five interconnected “Global Futures” which aim to leverage our strengths and differentiators through collaborative and interdisciplinary approaches in our educational programs, research and innovation activities to address the world’s most pressing challenges.
We have also launched new institutional values: think differently, act with purpose and work together, which reflect the founding strengths and differentiators defining Waterloo’s unique impact in Canada and the world.
Vivek’s passion for and commitment to sustainability and Indigenous reconciliation are already evident across campus from physical spaces, to dedicated resources and a commitment to access for Indigenous students, faculty and staff.
He has supported and driven governance reviews for the Board of Governors and Senate to ensure our processes and practices are open, transparent and engaged. He has also driven the development of integrated planning and budgeting to support collaborative and coordinated decision-making. It’s this work that will help us all navigate the financial headwinds we are facing now, and in the years ahead.
President Goel was integral in the University’s North campus being selected as the site of Grand River Hospital and St. Mary’s General Hospital’s new joint hospital, serving Waterloo-Wellington and beyond. Working with the hospitals, he has also driven the development of the CareNext initiative which will propel the development and adoption of health innovations in this region and beyond.
We are grateful for all that Vivek has accomplished to date and will have an opportunity to thank him more formally before the end of his term in 2026. He has already left a lasting impact on the University and we look forward to seeing what more he accomplishes. We wish Vivek all the best when he steps back to focus on his family.
The Board will initiate a search for the next president with support from the Secretariat. Further details and update will be made available as nominations and elections for the Presidential Nominating Committee commence in the coming weeks.
Murray Gamble
Chair, Board of Governors
