On April 18, 2012, Dr. Feridun Hamdullahpur, Vice President and Chancellor of the University of Waterloo, delivered remarks on teaching and learning at Canadian universities at the International Exhibition and Conference on Higher Education in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The 21st century is proving to be an incredibly exciting but also incredibly challenging time for post secondary education. As we’ve heard over the last day and a half, multi-dimensional shifts in the world are inspiring new dialogue about the role of universities, what really matters in post secondary education, and how we can remain relevant to our students and our communities. My remarks will address the key question implied in the background paper to this conference: Does a focus on research inevitably cause universities to neglect basic teaching and learning? My short answer is no. On the contrary, I would argue that in today’s knowledge and creative economy, the two must go hand in hand. In fact as we’ve discovered over the course of my own university’s history, they reinforce each other and ensure continuing relevance. In fact, as we’ve discovered over the course of my own university’s history, they reinforce each other and ensure continuing relevance.
In our experience, a powerful approach that combines experiential learning within a research environment, plus connectivity within and exposure to business, industry and the community, ensures relevancy and stimulates curiosity.
This combination creates the perfect environment for innovation across the spectrum -- from the futuristic knowledge being developed in our Quantum Nano Centre to the start up businesses and new products that emanate from many of our study areas.