President Vivek Goel reflects on his time as president and vice-chancellor.
As I conclude my term as President, I want to thank you for the opportunity and the privilege of serving this extraordinary university community.
When I look back over my time here, what stands out most is all of you: your passion, your curiosity, and your commitment to making this institution even better. It’s what makes Waterloo distinctive.
Waterloo’s accomplishments over the past five years belong to this entire community. My role has been to listen, learn from you, and help move forward the many ideas that come from members of our community. I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to have worked alongside you.
These have not been easy years. We have faced a global pandemic and a period of significant change and uncertainty in the world around us. What has always stood out to me is how this community comes together to meet those challenges. We have held true to our core principles of academic freedom, free inquiry and integrity, and we continue to focus on the important work we do by living our values of thinking differently, acting with purpose, and working together.
I leave this role with a deep sense of gratitude and a great deal of confidence in Waterloo’s future. I know this community will continue to come together, to support one another, and to take on the big challenges ahead.
I am also happy to share that I’m not going very far. I will be continuing as a faculty member at the University of Waterloo, with appointments in the School of Pharmacy and the School of Public Health Sciences. I look forward to staying connected and contributing to work in health, technology, and society in the years ahead.
Thank you for all that you do for Waterloo. It has truly been an honour.
