Welcome to the Office of the President
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
President and Vice-Chancellor
Featured news
President Goel leads Waterloo into bold new futures
Vivek Goel officially installed as Waterloo’s seventh president and vice-chancellor
Hundreds of viewers tuned in virtually to the ceremony that took place live on November 8, 2021 at Engineering 7, where President Goel was formally endowed the duties and responsibilities of office.
Watch the installation ceremony:
Health data is essential
November 22, 2021
Fostering a clinical data ecosystem in Canada is more important than ever. Leaders in the health-care space, including Waterloo’s President and Vice-Chancellor Vivek Goel, motivated calls for more organized and accessible forms of gathering and sharing health data across the country.
Remembrance Day
November 11, 2021
Remembrance Day is an important day of reflection in Canada and many countries around the world.
November 11th marks the anniversary of the formal end of the First World War hostilities. On this day we remember and honour all the individuals who have and continue to serve in Canada’s Armed Forces through times of war, armed conflict and peace.
Thrive Month
October 15, 2021
Thrive Month focused on building a culture of wellbeing and normalizing mental health struggles for Waterloo students and employees. President Goel shares a message to the University community to kick off Thrive Month.
President's Forum
October 6, 2021
On October 6, President Vivek Goel held a forum to share his perspectives and opportunities for the University. This forum was the first of what will be a series of three sessions that will explore themes from the University’s strategic plan. The president was joined by a panel of Waterloo senior leaders to explore the future of work and how the University develops talent for a complex future.
National Day of Truth and Reconciliation
September 30, 2021
President Goel and Jean Becker, Senior Director, Indigenous Initiatives and Interim AVP, Human Rights, Equity & Inclusion reflect on National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
Keep the umbrella handy to weather the next storm
September 15, 2021
Once the pandemic clouds clear, it’s inevitable that public research budgets will come under scrutiny. But cutting research budgets is tantamount to throwing away your umbrella when the rain stops.
Our experience with COVID- 19 has demonstrated that we not only need to be prepared for events like global pandemics, but we also need to be able to mount flexible responses that can quickly adapt to new challenges. As I write in the The Hill Times, that involves investing in research capacity that can be mobilized for this type of adaptive response.
Read the full article on The Hill Times (for subscribers)
