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Canberra Today 15°/17° | Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

Canada’s Deep Saini to take the reins at UC

Prof Deep Saini

Chancellor and chair of the University of Canberra Council, Professor Tom Calma says Professor H. Deep Saini has been appointed.

“Professor Saini, currently a Vice-President of the University of Toronto, Canada’s top-ranked, largest and most research-intensive university, and Principal of the University of Toronto Mississauga campus, will take up the position on 1 September 2016,” Tom said.

“He will succeed Professor Stephen Parker AO, who will step down from the role on 1 July 2016, after over nine years in the job. The University Council will appoint an acting Vice-Chancellor until Professor Saini commences his appointment.

“The University’s governing body is delighted the internationally experienced university leader and academic has agreed to become the University of Canberra’s fifth Vice-Chancellor.

“Professor Saini’s outstanding academic pedigree and vast international experience will be key to delivering on our vision to be recognised as one of Australia’s most innovative tertiary institutions; world-ranked, with regional, national and international reach.

“His extensive administrative leadership and proven track record as an accomplished agent of positive change under diverse circumstances will help us realise our mission of an ‘Educated Life’, as well as our ambitious campus development objectives.

Professor Calma also paid tribute to the University’s current Vice-Chancellor, Professor Parker for his exceptional leadership and remarkable contribution to the growth and development of the University of Canberra and to Australian tertiary education in general.

“I would like to sincerely thank Professor Parker for his tireless dedication, passionate guidance, and relentless determination to make this one of the best young universities in Australia.

“His legacy has set solid foundations to now take the University to the next stage of growth and competitiveness.

“This will be an exciting period for the University of Canberra and I look forward to working with Professor Saini towards this new phase.”

Professor Parker said he was very pleased to learn about this appointment.

“Professor Saini comes from a very senior position in a truly world-leading university and will be great for the University of Canberra,” Stephen said.

“He will have my full support as I hand over the many exciting projects that the University is undertaking.”

Professor Saini, a notable plant physiologist, said he was thrilled to be appointed the University’s Vice-Chancellor at such a fantastic time for the institution.

“The University of Canberra is on an audacious academic path. It has remarkably enterprising, distinctive and bold plans, which are already producing impressive results,” he said.

“I am both humbled and honoured to have the opportunity to lead an institution with so much grit and promise at such a critical juncture in its evolution. I look forward to the next phase of the University of Canberra’s transformation as a global leader in mission-oriented education and problem-solving research with a solid intellectual core.”

Professor Saini added he is very pleased to return to Australia, where he spent some time both as a student and an academic.

“Much of what I am today was shaped during my doctoral studies in Australia. My wife and I started our shared journey here. It is a privilege to now return to serve the country where it all began and to which I owe the crucial formative steps of an exceptionally rewarding career.”

About Deep Saini

Professor Saini is an experienced administrator, researcher and teacher. He is currently the Principal of University of Toronto Mississauga and a Vice-President of the University of Toronto.

He began his Canadian academic career at the University of Alberta as a post-doctoral fellow, joined the Université de Montréal where he served as the director-general of the Plant Biology Research Institute and then moved to the University of Waterloo as dean of the Faculty of Environment.

In August 2010, Professor Saini assumed leadership of the University of Toronto Mississauga. During his tenure, he was in charge of overseeing several multi-million construction projects on campus.

Under his guidance, University of Toronto Mississauga launched its most ambitious fundraising campaign to date – the Boundless Campaign for the University of Toronto Mississauga. With its $60 million goal, the Campaign has established the Institute for Management and Innovation, a new sector-specific model of business school, and the Centre for South Asian Civilizations, with its strong ties to this dynamic global community.

Professor Saini holds numerous leadership roles both within his profession and in the community. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Research, Innovation, Commercialization Centre and a member of the City of Mississauga’s Economic Development Advisory Board. He has also served as president of the Canadian Society of Plant Physiologists, president of the Federation of Canadian Plant Science Societies and a member of Export Development Canada’s Advisory Council on Corporate Social Responsibility.

Professor Saini is an experienced university administrator and advocate for higher education, and has received a number of honours including the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and recognition on the Canadian “Power List 2011” by India Abroad Magazine.

He completed his undergraduate and master’s degrees at the Punjab Agricultural University in Ludhiana, India, and holds a doctorate in plant physiology from the University of Adelaide.

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