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
On April 11, President Vivek Goel held a President's Forum to share the Waterloo at 100 vision.
The hybrid forum was an opportunity for staff and faculty to hear from President Goel how the Waterloo at 100 vision will help guide the University into an uncertain, yet promising future.
Hosted as part of the 2023 Staff Conference, the President answered a wide array of questions from both an in-person and online audience about the future of the University.
Growing Waterloo’s connections in Africa
December 5
Over the next week, I’m joining a University of Waterloo delegation on a trip to South Africa and Ghana. Meeting with post-secondary and government leaders, we hope to learn ways to create meaningful partnerships.
As the second-fastest growing region in the world, Africa has a bright future on the horizon. Working with partners across the continent, we are excited to explore ways we can co-create research and teaching opportunities that benefit local communities across Africa and have a global impact.
Addressing reports of hate on our campuses
November 29
Last week, I had the opportunity to sit down with groups of Palestinian and Jewish students to hear from them how the ongoing conflict is affecting them here at Waterloo. I appreciated the opportunity to listen and learn directly from them. I was also saddened and deeply concerned by some of the things I heard, namely, that these students and their colleagues continue to face antisemitism, anti-Palestinian racism and Islamophobia on our campuses.
Remembrance Day 2023
November 10
As we mark Remembrance Day this year, we are reminded that the shadow of violent conflict is not confined to the pages of history books; it is a present and pressing reality. November 11 is our opportunity to honour the sacrifices of those who have put themselves in harm’s way to preserve our freedoms. The consequences of these wars ripple across communities, time and distance, affecting us all in profound ways.
How our university responds to world events
October 24
Our main priority when considering if, when and how the University should respond is our community. We try to centre you, our faculty, staff and students, in everything we do – including responding to world events. But I know that processes or standard practices can always be made better. With this in mind, we will undertake a review of how we make decisions about commenting on world events.
Convocation Fall 2023
October 19
To our graduates, my heartfelt congratulations. Convocation ceremonies recognize your hard-work and perseverance during your time at the University of Waterloo. You cross the stage having gained more than the lessons learned in the classroom, library or lab. You have built relationships and forged networks with peers and instructors. Those connections are the basis of a vibrant and expansive community at the heart of our institution’s rich history and its success to date.
Statement on the Israel-Hamas War
October 16
As we return to our campuses after Reading Week, the world looks different than it did before we left. I express my sorrow for those who are grieving unimaginable loss, and I want to extend support to anyone whose family or friends are directly impacted by the conflict.