Axworthy’s State Of The University Address 2011 Now Available

WINNIPEG, MB – With over $150 million invested in the downtown, The University of Winnipeg has already become a significant catalyst for change and revitalization in the inner-city. That is one of the themes that Dr. Lloyd Axworthy, President and Vice-Chancellor, UWinnipeg touched on in his State of the University address on Friday, September 9, 2011.

Axworthy also addressed the changing demographics in Winnipeg and Manitoba with the growing population of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples as well as the inflow of 15,000 plus new Canadians, representing the fastest growing populations. He released UWinnipeg’s 2011 preliminary enrolment numbers which saw Aboriginal applicants jump by 24%, reflecting the University’s efforts to offer respectful and engaging programming tailored to the interests and needs of these students.

“Piece by piece, building by building, program by program, we’ve realized that so many more opportunities and directions are beginning to present themselves,” he said. “But we must remain conscious of who we serve and not to over extend ourselves. We are a University on the move, but it is still very much under construction.”

Axworthy also committed the University to drafting and signing a Community Charter, that will promote and ensure the best interests of the local community, including active participation and access to facilities and programs. He concluded by announcing that this fall, a process of consultation with faculty, staff and the community will begin to determine and guide the next phase of UWinnipeg’s development.

“The time has come to ask ourselves, in five or 10 years time, when we remove the scaffolding to reveal all that we’ve accomplished, what vision do we want to see as we step back to admire our efforts?”

Read Dr. Axworthy’s State of the University Address, 2011 at http://www.uwinnipeg.ca/index/cms-filesystem-action/pdfs/admin/axworthy-state-of-the-university-address-110909.pdf.