Welcome to the Office of the President
The Office of the President assists the President with activities on and off campus which includes working with internal and external stakeholders and managing communications and outreach.
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
President and Vice-Chancellor
News
President Goel responds to PART Report
April 27
The University of Waterloo strives to support an equitable environment where everyone in our community can learn, grow and thrive. In 2020, we formed the President’s Anti-Racism Taskforce (PART) and made a public commitment to engage our community and address systemic racism across our campuses.
In consultation with the University community, PART developed eighty-eight recommendations to address racism at the University.
Implementation of such a comprehensive set of recommendations requires us all to make a commitment to enact changes here at Waterloo. I look forward to working with the University community to implement the recommendations.
Though we have a great deal of work ahead of us, this report also highlights the great work that has already happened across our campuses.
Anti-racism is the shared responsibility of our entire community – not that of a specific leader or a campus unit. I encourage everyone in the University community to take action to ensure that the PART recommendations are successfully implemented.
Thoughts on Convocation and the summer ahead
June 16
The pandemic and current global events have heightened awareness of existing global challenges, and highlighted the important role universities play in uncovering solutions and developing talent. Academia plays a vital role in preserving and enhancing democracy by offering a safe place for free inquiry and preparing our students to be global citizens.
Educating global citizens to better understand the world
June 3
The pandemic and current global events have heightened awareness of existing global challenges, and highlighted the important role universities play in uncovering solutions and developing talent. Academia plays a vital role in preserving and enhancing democracy by offering a safe place for free inquiry and preparing our students to be global citizens.
National Indigenous History Month
June 1
Now is an important time to reflect on Truth and Reconciliation, and acknowledge that there is still much to do in order to address the many inequalities and challenges established over generations of colonialism, intolerance and lack of action. We all play a role in building and fostering strong and healthy connections with Indigenous Peoples.
Statement on Buffalo murders
May 16
This weekend many of us will have watched and read the news from Buffalo of another devastating mass murder motivated by racial hatred and an ideology of white supremacy. Events like these force us all to confront the horrible reality of gun violence in the United States, but most importantly the reality that racialized people, particularly Black people, face every day.
Recognizing Asian Heritage Month
May 16
Asian Heritage Month is an opportunity to recognize the many accomplishments and contributions that Canadians of Asian heritage, including our colleagues and sudents here at the University, continue to make in Canada. It is important to recognize that Asian culture is not one monolith, but a mosaic of cultures and traditions—all of which add rich diversity to our communities.
A memo about respect and civility
May 5
It’s clear that our community must do some healing after two years of isolation and to address this pernicious movement to disrespectful, often hate-fueled dialogue. As we work together to reconnect and rekindle relationships, we must celebrate and preserve the University as a place where we can have different opinions and respectfully challenge one another to think differently.
As health care goes digital, many risk being left behind
April 7
Canadians have grown accustomed to having personal and community health information at their fingertips, via devices and apps that literally put our health in our hands. For the most part these are welcome innovations. But what if you’re someone who has no access, or limited access, to technology? It’s a conundrum with growing implications for social equity and community health.
Competing talent brain drain or brain gain
March 29
Speaking at the Toronto Board of Trade’s Workforce Summit 2.0, President Goel discussed the shared responsibility of the post-secondary education sector and industry to develop the talent that will reshape our local and global post-pandemic recovery.
President's statement on Russia's invasion of Ukraine
March 4
University of Waterloo is unwavering in our solidarity with the innocent victims of this invasion, and we stand in support of those who are calling for an end to the invasion. I recognize, too, that conflicts and tragedy are happening and have happened in many places around the world.
