Message from President Vivek Goel
Welcome. As President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Waterloo, I am proud to welcome you to our innovative institution.
The best and brightest are drawn to the University of Waterloo for our renowned academic programs, our world-leading co-operative education and our teaching and research excellence.
Waterloo has long fostered a culture of curiosity, exploration, risk-taking, entrepreneurship, global stewardship and leadership. In 1957, innovation and entrepreneurship brought University of Waterloo into being, as a group of business leaders imagined a new university built to tackle some of the world’s most daunting challenges.
Today, with more than 42,000+ students attending annually, Waterloo is #1 in Canada for experiential learning and employer-student connections. We bring bold ideas and brilliant minds together — inspiring innovations with global impact today and in the future.
During this period of rapid societal, technological and environmental change, our focus over the next few years is to continue to build on our unconventional foundation. We will position Waterloo to develop talent for a complex future, advance research for global impact and strengthen Waterloo’s sustainable and diverse communities.
Whether you are already part of our University community or looking to learn more about our institution, I invite you to connect with us, read our strategic plan or visit one of our campuses.
Sincerely,
Vivek Goel, CM, OOnt
President and Vice-Chancellor
News
University of Waterloo President appointed to the Order of Ontario
January 1
The President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Waterloo, Vivek Goel, is among the 2024 appointments to the Order of Ontario announced by the Honourable Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and Chancellor of the Order of Ontario.
The Order of Ontario is the province’s highest civilian honour. It is awarded to an Ontarian who has shown the highest level of excellence and achievement in their field, and whose impact has left a legacy in our province, in our country and around the world.
Looking back at 2024
December 18
The end of the year is a time to reflect on where we’ve been and where we are going.
Through the ups and downs of this past year, our community consistently demonstrated its resiliency. 2024 has reminded us of the importance of listening to one another, sharing ideas and collaborating.
It has also been full of many achievements. This year, I asked some of my colleagues to share their highlights from 2024.
Vivek Goel to end his tenure as President in 2026
October 30
Vivek Goel, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Waterloo, 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.
President Goel is announcing his plans now to allow time for the University to begin the processes to appoint a successor.
University of Waterloo selected as site for new regional hospital
July 22
In a landmark development for health-care innovation and regional transformation, the University of Waterloo has been selected as the site of Grand River Hospital and St. Mary’s General Hospital’s new joint hospital, serving Waterloo-Wellington and beyond.
Building disruptive technologies is at the core of what we do, and since our inception, the University of Waterloo has also been disrupting the boundaries of health.