A collection of President Goel’s news features, publications, speeches, and announcements
Recent discover of unmarked graves
January 20, 2023
The University of Waterloo acknowledges and stands in support of Wauzhushk Onigum Nation regarding the recent announcement of 171 plausible burials at the St. Mary's Indian Residential School.
As an educational institution within Canada, we will continue to honour our commitment to Indigenous peoples, communities, histories and ways of knowing.
Waterloo connections to Order of Canada
January 4, 2023
Feridun Hamdullahpur and John Lounds were named members of the Order of Canada on December 29, 2022. Hamdullahpur’s honour is in recognition of his groundbreaking research in mechanical and mechatronics engineering and his visionary leadership in academia. Lounds, former president and CEO of Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC), was honoured for his substantial contributions to land conservation across the country.
Winter Solstice: brighter days ahead
December 15, 2002
As the days get shorter and we welcome the changing of the season, this time of the year is an opportunity to pause and reflect. Reflecting on the past year, I am grateful for many things and many people—including every one of you in our community. Thank you for all your contributions through another challenging year. Your hard work and the diverse perspectives and knowledge each of you bring to our campuses every day make our community stronger.
Remembrance Day is an important reminder
November 11, 2022
On November 11th, we remember and honour all the individuals who have and continue to serve in Canada’s military services. While terms like values, freedoms and rights have recently been connected to the political rhetoric of our times, the basis of these definitions regardless of their interpretation are a result of the sacrifice and on-going contributions of many.
Lessons learned from the pandemic
October 19, 2022
The global disruption caused by SARS‑CoV‑2 challenged all civic institutions, including Canada’s universities, to understand how they can contribute to the well-being of society amid a crisis. At the University of Waterloo, they are taking the lessons learned from their experience over the past 2 years to address the climate emergency.
Statement on Iran
October 5, 2022
Last week, I wrote to the University community to express my sadness and anger at the murder of Mahsa Amini at the hands of Tehran’s Guidance Patrol. Since Ms. Amini’s death, protesters in Iran, across the world, and right here on our campus have been bravely demanding change. Those protesters have often been students, and a few days ago, they were specifically targeted by Iranian police at several institutions, including Sharif University.
Waterloo at 100 President’s Forum Recap
October 5, 2022
More than 650 attendees from the University of Waterloo community participated in the first President’s Forum of the academic year, held on Monday, October 3.
The president shared an overview of Waterloo at 100, a visioning exercise that looks ahead to the University of Waterloo’s 100th anniversary in 2057.
Gender-based violence is never okay
September 26, 2022
The continued prevalence of gender-based violence here in Canada and around the world weighs heavily on us all. I am proud of the students who are standing up against gender-based violence. Last week’s silent protest in honour of Ms. Amini was a testament to those who organized and attended it. Ensuring that we use our voices to speak out against this abuse is crucial.
Affirming Waterloo's commitment to reconciliation
September 22, 2022
The recent Commitment Ceremony affirmed our commitment to Reconciliation, Indigenization and decolonization. I was honoured to offer both my personal commitment and my commitment as president and vice-chancellor of the University of Waterloo.
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