Message from the President

Memorial University was established to honour the sacrifice of those who lost their lives in the First World War and subsequent conflicts, creating a special bond between this institution and the people of the province. Being responsive to the needs of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians is core to our central mission and the work that we do, every day, on all our campuses.

A Corporate Research Associates poll conducted in late 2018 reported that most of the people of the province believe Memorial is a powerful contributor to economic prosperity, immigration and community engagement. The poll showed that 80 per cent of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians believe that Memorial does a good job of meeting the needs of business, industry and society in terms of providing a well-prepared workforce for the future. It also found that 79 per cent believe Memorial is fully engaged with communities.

As you read through this year’s report, you will learn more about how Memorial is active and engaged throughout the province and beyond. In compelling examples, community members in Norris Point, Placentia Bay, Makkovik, Baie Verte and Nunavut generously shared their stories with us, illustrating how Memorial University’s people and programs are having a tangible impact in their regions.

Endeavours small and large by Memorial’s students, faculty, staff and alumni have significant effects on economic development and diversification, population demographics and labour market, health care, climate change, healthy communities, food security and more. Our local action is having global impact.

This action and impact are also why Memorial University was founded in 1925 and why the university has been supported and funded since then by governments, industry, foundations, alumni and donors. It is why one of the very first pieces of legislation to be passed by the new province of Newfoundland and Labrador in 1949 was the Memorial University Act. Premier Joseph Smallwood said during the second reading of the bill: “There is no reason why, if we have the vision and if we have the courage … the university of Newfoundland for its size should not be the most distinguished university in the whole world.”

In March 2018 our provincial government announced its intention to undertake a review of public post-secondary education in the province. Since then government has issued the review’s terms of reference, introduced the panel of experts to conduct it and set the timeline for completion by late 2020.

This review must ensure that Newfoundlanders and Labradorians continue to benefit from and have access to a national-class, comprehensive, teaching and research university—as every other province has.

Memorial will continue to share information about the significant progress, accomplishments and changes at our institution since the last review in 2004-05, and I encourage members of the university community to engage in the review process.

Thank you.

Memorial University was established to honour the sacrifice of those who lost their lives in the First World War and subsequent conflicts, creating a special bond between this institution and the people of the province. Being responsive to the needs of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians is core to our central mission and the work that we do, every day, on all our campuses.

A Corporate Research Associates poll conducted in late 2018 reported that most of the people of the province believe Memorial is a powerful contributor to economic prosperity, immigration and community engagement. The poll showed that 80 per cent of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians believe that Memorial does a good job of meeting the needs of business, industry and society in terms of providing a well-prepared workforce for the future. It also found that 79 per cent believe Memorial is fully engaged with communities.

As you read through this year’s report, you will learn more about how Memorial is active and engaged throughout the province and beyond. In compelling examples, community members in Norris Point, Placentia Bay, Makkovik, Baie Verte and Nunavut generously shared their stories with us, illustrating how Memorial University’s people and programs are having a tangible impact in their regions.

Endeavours small and large by Memorial’s students, faculty, staff and alumni have significant effects on economic development and diversification, population demographics and labour market, health care, climate change, healthy communities, food security and more. Our local action is having global impact.

This action and impact are also why Memorial University was founded in 1925 and why the university has been supported and funded since then by governments, industry, foundations, alumni and donors. It is why one of the very first pieces of legislation to be passed by the new Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador in 1949 was the Memorial University Act. Premier Joseph Smallwood said during the second reading of the bill: “There is no reason why, if we have the vision and if we have the courage … the university of Newfoundland for its size should not be the most distinguished university in the whole world.”

In March 2018 our provincial government announced its intention to undertake a review of public post-secondary education in the province. Since then government has issued the review’s terms of reference, introduced the panel of experts to conduct it and set the timeline for completion by late 2020.

This review must ensure that Newfoundlanders and Labradorians continue to benefit from and have access to a national-class, comprehensive, teaching and research university – as every other province has.