Updates to The University of Western Ontario’s strategic plan were on the agenda at the first Leaders’ Forum of the 2010/2011 academic year. While the forum was for academic and administrative leaders, all Western faculty and staff are invited to learn more about the information presented and discussed by visiting the Leaders Digest website.
A record audience of 250 academic and administrative leaders came together to hear President Amit Chakma’s reflection on the past year at Western, as he praised the work of leaders, staff and faculty. Chakma then turned his focus to the future, affirming his confidence that Western has what it takes to become a world-class university, and challenging all leaders to engage their colleagues and staff in this effort.
Western’s new Provost, Janice Deakin, offered leaders an informative update on Western’s strategic directions, including increased focus on raising Western’s international profile, expanding its educational reach in the region and around the world, enhancing the quality of its programs, and enhancing supports for faculty and staff. The provost joined Vice-President (Resources and Operations) Gitta Kulczycki in answering leaders’ questions about the opportunities and challenges presented by these directions.
Leaders are encouraged to share what they gleaned from the discussions with their colleagues and staff. All members of the Western community are encouraged to go to the Leaders Digest to see a copy of the Strategic Directions document, see a short video clip with highlights of the Provost’s presentation and view the presentation slides.
In addition, over the next few weeks, the Leader’s Digest page will be updated with answers to additional questions spurred by the Forum discussion.