From the President

Note: This is the President’s message that launched Waterloo’s 2013-2018 Strategic Plan. Visit the Bridge to 2020 to learn more about Waterloo’s current Strategic Plan development efforts.


A distinguished past — a distinctive future

The world beckons. For a fast-evolving globe, where the pace of emerging challenges often outstrips available answers.

Answering the world’s call requires a bold and unconventional approach — one that combines deep knowledge, extraordinary research, broad-based experience and academic excellence. It requires interdisciplinary approaches and a single-minded and forward-looking focus on advancing knowledge and meeting society’s needs. Without hesitation, the University of Waterloo accepts this challenge.

Over the next five years, Waterloo’s Strategic Plan will drive our efforts forward, with a clear view of where energy and resources must be focused. Waterloo will build on our foundational strengths to answer society’s call and emerge as one of the world’s top innovation universities. This Plan will be anchored by an accountability framework that measures and monitors progress towards our ambitious but achievable goals.

The University of Waterloo is the right institution at the right time.

This is our strategic plan, and we each have a vital role to play in its ultimate success.

Feridun Hamdullahpur
President and Vice-Chancellor