President Gertler / en Health and safety remain key for fall semester, President Gertler says /news/health-and-safety-remain-key-fall-semester-president-gertler-says <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Health and safety remain key for fall semester, President Gertler says</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/UofT85747_20190611_SirDanielWilsonResidence_2466.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=rqkntPz6 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/UofT85747_20190611_SirDanielWilsonResidence_2466.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=RH6yF5X0 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/UofT85747_20190611_SirDanielWilsonResidence_2466.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=bT90chde 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/UofT85747_20190611_SirDanielWilsonResidence_2466.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=rqkntPz6" alt="Sir Daniel Residence"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>lanthierj</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2020-07-14T13:52:19-04:00" title="Tuesday, July 14, 2020 - 13:52" class="datetime">Tue, 07/14/2020 - 13:52</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item">(photo by Diana Tyszko)</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/geoffrey-vendeville" hreflang="en">Geoffrey Vendeville</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/our-community" hreflang="en">Our Community</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/coronavirus" hreflang="en">Coronavirus</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/utogether" hreflang="en">UTogether</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/president-gertler" hreflang="en">President Gertler</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Now that academic divisions have posted their course offerings for fall, students have a clearer picture of what life at the 91³Ô¹Ï will look like in September – with health and safety of the community remaining the top priority.</p> <p>Almost all undergraduate courses will have online elements, while one-third of undergraduate courses will also offer in-person opportunities for connection through instruction, tutorials, labs and experiential learning, the university announced today.</p> <p>“The University’s first priority remains the health and safety of our entire community,†President <strong>Meric Gertler</strong> <a href="/utogether2020/message-from-the-president">said in an update to faculty, staff and librarians</a>.</p> <p>“More than 90 per cent of our undergraduate course offerings will feature online (synchronous or asynchronous) delivery,†President Gertler said. “At the same time, many of these same courses will offer a significant in-person element – either through ‘dual delivery’ mode (in which students have the option of enrolling online or in-person), or through in-person classes, labs, tutorials or experiential learning placements.</p> <p>“At this stage we can report that, overall, at least one-third of our undergraduate courses will have an in-person component. In some divisions, more than half of course offerings will include an in-person option.â€</p> <p>Across the three campuses, faculty, librarians, and staff have spent months preparing for a fall term that will combine what the president called “an unyielding commitment to safety†with “the high-quality academic experience for which 91³Ô¹Ï is so widely respected.â€</p> <p>The result, President Gertler said, is “consistent with <a href="/news/u-t-plans-gradual-safe-return-our-campuses-fall-semester-mix-person-and-virtual-learning">our earlier commitment </a>to offer a rich mix of learning opportunities and formats, combining online and in-person modes of delivery.â€</p> <p>With <a href="https://news.ontario.ca/opo/en/2020/07/nearly-all-businesses-and-public-spaces-to-reopen-in-stage-3.html">the province planning to move into Stage Three </a>of its planned reopening, 91³Ô¹Ï will also be entering a new phase in its response to the pandemic. <a href="https://www.provost.utoronto.ca/planning-policy/utogether2020-a-roadmap-for-the-university-of-toronto/">UTogether 2020: A Roadmap for the 91³Ô¹Ï </a>sets out many of the processes and protocols 91³Ô¹Ï is following. Its development has been guided by the staged <a href="https://www.ontario.ca/page/reopening-ontario">reopening principles from the Province of Ontario</a>.</p> <p>Addressing COVID-19’s impact on university research labs, President Gertler said many researchers were able to continue their work without interruption since the spring. Labs that were unable to continue have begun reopening, following a process that complies with public health directives, and institutional principles and guidelines.</p> <p>“I am grateful to our faculty, staff and students who have worked so diligently to ensure a safe, orderly and successful reopening,†he added.</p> <p>Many 91³Ô¹Ï researchers applied their ingenuity and talent to questions related to COVID-19, whether to develop diagnostic tools, aid vaccine development or produce mathematical models to predict the spread of the disease. <a href="/news/u-t-launches-action-fund-support-high-impact-research-battle-against-covid-19">91³Ô¹Ï created an action fund in May</a> to support high-impact research on COVID-19.</p> <p>President Gertler also announced in his letter that a new Response and Adaptation Committee&nbsp;– a small and dedicated group led by Professor <strong>Vivek Goel</strong> – will be taking the reins of the university’s operational response from the Incident Leadership Team that steered the university through the challenging first few months of the pandemic.</p> <p><a href="/news/vivek-goel-step-down-u-t-s-vice-president-research-and-innovation-and-strategic-initiatives">Goel stepped down from his role as vice-president, research and innovation, and strategic initiatives</a> to devote more time to 91³Ô¹Ï’s COVID-19 response as a special adviser to 91³Ô¹Ï’s vice-president and provost. He was the co-lead with Vice-President and Provost <strong>Cheryl Regehr</strong> of the incident leadership team.</p> <p>“On behalf of the entire 91³Ô¹Ï community, I would like to thank Professor Regehr, Professor Goel and all the members of the ILT for their dedication and exemplary accomplishments in service to the University during this unprecedented time,†Gertler wrote.</p> <p>As the university takes unprecedented steps for a safe and smooth start to the new academic year, President Gertler thanked students, faculty, librarians, staff and students for their “leadership, perseverance and creativity†in the face of extraordinary challenges.</p> <p>“I am confident that, by continuing to work together, we will ensure a healthy, safe, and successful start to the new academic year in September,†he said.</p> <h3><a href="/utogether2020?utm_source=UofTHome&amp;utm_medium=WebsiteBanner&amp;utm_content=LookingAheadtoSeptember2020">Visit U-Together for more on the fall semester</a></h3> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Tue, 14 Jul 2020 17:52:19 +0000 lanthierj 165353 at 91³Ô¹Ï hosts Trudeau, Ukrainian president for international conference on Ukraine’s future /news/u-t-hosts-trudeau-ukrainian-president-international-conference-ukraine-s-future <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">91³Ô¹Ï hosts Trudeau, Ukrainian president for international conference on Ukraine’s future</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/signing.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=WL02lbr0 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/signing.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=kdFT1KHF 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/signing.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=mCvOaBEC 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/signing.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=WL02lbr0" alt="Photo of Zelenskyy, Trudeau and Gertler"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>geoff.vendeville</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2019-07-04T16:09:57-04:00" title="Thursday, July 4, 2019 - 16:09" class="datetime">Thu, 07/04/2019 - 16:09</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item">Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signs 91³Ô¹Ï's guest book while Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and 91³Ô¹Ï President Meric Gertler look on (photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/geoffrey-vendeville" hreflang="en">Geoffrey Vendeville</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/global-lens" hreflang="en">Global Lens</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/slavic-languages-and-literatures" hreflang="en">Slavic languages and literatures</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/global" hreflang="en">Global</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/political-science" hreflang="en">Political Science</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/president-gertler" hreflang="en">President Gertler</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/u-t-mississauga" hreflang="en">91³Ô¹Ï Mississauga</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/ukraine" hreflang="en">Ukraine</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>World leaders, diplomats and other officials gathered at the 91³Ô¹Ï this week as the university hosted the ministerial meeting at an international summit on the future of Ukraine.</p> <p>A succession of delegations arrived at Simcoe Hall on the downtown Toronto campus on Tuesday morning, representing over 30 countries at the 91³Ô¹Ï-hosted portion of the three-day Ukraine Reform Conference. It was the third annual meeting to set the agenda for reform in Ukraine after conferences in London and Copenhagen.&nbsp;</p> <p>91³Ô¹Ï President&nbsp;<strong>Meric Gertler</strong>&nbsp;greeted the dignitaries, which included recently elected Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland, who is of Ukrainian descent and delivered part of her opening remarks in Convocation Hall in Ukrainian.</p> <p>President Gertler said it was an honour for 91³Ô¹Ï to host the high-profile meeting.</p> <p>“It is a great privilege to welcome world leaders and to facilitate their discussion of the challenges and opportunities facing not only Ukraine, but the whole world,†he said.</p> <p>“The 91³Ô¹Ï strives to foster an international outlook among all members of our community, and to serve as a convenor of global conversations on the most important issues of our time. 91³Ô¹Ï, therefore, is an ideal setting for this event, which is devoted to democratic ideals and universal concerns.â€</p> <p><img data-delta="4" data-fid="11406" data-media-element="1" height="500" src="/sites/default/files/UkraineReform014.jpg" typeof="foaf:Image" width="750" loading="lazy"></p> <p><em>The conference included panel discussions that took place inside 91³Ô¹Ï’s Convocation Hall&nbsp;(photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)</em></p> <p>Freeland, for her part, lauded 91³Ô¹Ï for hosting global summits <a href="/news/photos-g7-u-t">like the G7 Foreign Ministers’ meeting last year</a> and this year’s Ukraine Reform Conference.&nbsp;</p> <p>“Universities occupy an essential space in our society by promoting research, innovation and debate,†she said. “The 91³Ô¹Ï is a premier international institution of higher learning that connects Canada to the world – and vice versa.</p> <p>“I am continuously struck by the energy and ambition of students at 91³Ô¹Ï.&nbsp;They rightly see themselves as global citizens and have bold ideas for how Canada can play a constructive role in the world today.â€</p> <p>In her remarks to the conference, Freeland said, “Ukrainians were prepared to pay the ultimate price for their freedom, and many did,†referring to protesters who died in Kiev’s Maidan square in 2014.</p> <p>She went on to denounce Russian aggression in Ukraine and the 2014 invasion of the Crimean Peninsula.&nbsp;Many countries, including Canada, also accuse Russia of fomenting an insurgency in the eastern part of the country in which 13,000 people have died. And in November, the Russian navy captured 24 Ukrainian sailors. Moscow accuses them of illegally entering Russia waters, although Kiev denies the allegation.</p> <p>“Let me say to the people of Ukraine who are here today and those who are listening to us that Canada continues to stand with you,†Freeland said.&nbsp;</p> <p><img data-delta="2" data-fid="11404" data-media-element="1" height="500" src="/sites/default/files/zelenskiy.jpg" typeof="foaf:Image" width="750" loading="lazy"></p> <p><em>Ukrainian President&nbsp;Volodymyr Zelenskyy peppered his speech with sports references, including to Wayne Gretzky, who has Ukrainian ancestry, and the Toronto Raptors&nbsp;(photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)</em></p> <p>The first day of the conference featured panel discussions on sovereignty, security and prosperity and transforming Ukraine into a high-income country. Much of the talk focused on making progress in Ukraine “irreversible,†with a long-term possibility of the country entering the European Union.</p> <p>The conference comes at a pivotal moment for Ukraine. Zelenskyy, an actor-comedian, beat the odds to win the presidency in April and parliamentary elections are to be held later this month.&nbsp;</p> <p><img alt="Volodymyr Zelensky and Justin Trudeau" data-delta="7" data-fid="11409" data-media-element="1" height="500" src="/sites/default/files/UkraineReform066.jpg" typeof="foaf:Image" width="750" loading="lazy"></p> <p><em>Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau&nbsp;(photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)</em></p> <p>Speaking in Convocation Hall, bedecked with flags and lit up in the blue and yellow of Ukraine, Trudeau also pledged Canada’s support for the country in Eastern Europe.</p> <p>“It is absolutely vital that, in the face of foreign interference, we reinforce democracy in Ukraine to ensure a vibrant, prosperous and free society,†he said.&nbsp;</p> <p>To that end, Ottawa announced more than $45 million in development aid and policing assistance for Ukraine and said it won’t recognize Russian passports issued to Ukrainians in the Donbas, a region in eastern Ukraine and southwestern Russia.</p> <p><img data-delta="6" data-fid="11408" data-media-element="1" height="500" src="/sites/default/files/D70_8180-Edit.jpg" typeof="foaf:Image" width="750" loading="lazy"></p> <p><em>Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland and 91³Ô¹Ï President Meric Gertler&nbsp;(photo by Lisa Sakulensky)</em></p> <p>In his own speech, Zelenskyy compared his country to the championship-winning Toronto Raptors.</p> <p>“Basketball isn’t exactly my game,†Zelenskyy joked. The Raptors “reflect the task facing Ukraine –&nbsp;to win when you’re the underdog and achieve the impossible,†he said in Ukrainian, which was translated live.</p> <p><img data-delta="5" data-fid="11407" data-media-element="1" height="500" src="/sites/default/files/D70_8363.jpg" typeof="foaf:Image" width="750" loading="lazy"></p> <p><em>The conference’s&nbsp;delegates pose for a group photo (photo by Lisa Sakulensky)</em></p> <p><strong>Aurel Braun</strong>, a professor of international relations and political science at 91³Ô¹Ï Mississauga, who specializes in the challenges of transformation of socialist systems in the former Soviet bloc, says one of Ukraine’s top priorities going forward will be to address corruption.</p> <p>“Ukraine is a potentially wealthy country,†he said. “It has tremendous human talent, including scientific talent. It has vast natural resources – and yet it is desperately poor, and corruption has been one of the key elements.â€</p> <p>He added that the location of the conference is fitting both because Canada is home to 1.3 million Ukrainians and because 91³Ô¹Ï has a “glorious tradition†in Slavic studies.</p> <p>“We were among the first universities to develop a major centre for Russian and east European studies,†he said.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Thu, 04 Jul 2019 20:09:57 +0000 geoff.vendeville 157164 at 91³Ô¹Ï leads Canadian universities, ranks among top institutions worldwide in QS World University Rankings /news/u-t-leads-canadian-universities-ranks-among-top-institutions-worldwide-qs-world-university <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">91³Ô¹Ï leads Canadian universities, ranks among top institutions worldwide in QS World University Rankings</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/QS%20world%20university%20rankings%20-weblead.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=jPSSSmPU 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/QS%20world%20university%20rankings%20-weblead.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=2iXJyFXW 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/QS%20world%20university%20rankings%20-weblead.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=eCtZI2L8 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/QS%20world%20university%20rankings%20-weblead.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=jPSSSmPU" alt="photo of students crossing road in front of University College"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>Christopher.Sorensen</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2019-06-19T10:00:10-04:00" title="Wednesday, June 19, 2019 - 10:00" class="datetime">Wed, 06/19/2019 - 10:00</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item">(photo by Laura Pedersen)</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/romi-levine" hreflang="en">Romi Levine</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/global-lens" hreflang="en">Global Lens</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/global" hreflang="en">Global</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/president-gertler" hreflang="en">President Gertler</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/qs-world-university-rankings" hreflang="en">QS World University Rankings</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/rankings" hreflang="en">Rankings</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>A stellar academic reputation helped secure the 91³Ô¹Ï’s position as one of the top post-secondary institutions in the world in the latest QS World University Rankings.</p> <p>The prestigious annual list, published by higher education firm Quacquarelli Symonds, ranked 91³Ô¹Ï first in Canada and 29<sup>th</sup> out of more than 1,000 universities worldwide.</p> <p>Among public institutions, meanwhile, 91³Ô¹Ï ranked 18<sup>th</sup> globally and third in North America. &nbsp;</p> <p>“The 91³Ô¹Ï is grateful to be recognized once again as one of the top academic institutions in the world,†said 91³Ô¹Ï President <strong>Meric Gertler</strong>.</p> <p>“It is a reflection of our commitment to excellence as a leading&nbsp;institution of research and learning.â€</p> <p>The QS World University Rankings is based on six measures: academic reputation, employer reputation, international student and faculty scores, a faculty-student ratio score and a citations-faculty score.</p> <p>91³Ô¹Ï, which was 28<sup>th</sup> globally in the same ranking last year, achieved some of its highest marks in the academic and employer reputation measures. The university rose one spot to 17<sup>th</sup> globally in the academic reputation measure this year, and eight spots, to 27<sup>th</sup> from 35<sup>th</sup>, in employer reputation.</p> <p>Six other Canadian universities were in QS’s top 200 this year. They include McGill University, which ranked 35<sup>th</sup> and the University of British Columbia, which ranked 51<sup>st</sup>.</p> <p>The top-ranked university on this year’s list was the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.</p> <p>In the QS World University Subject Rankings earlier this year, <a href="/news/u-t-ranks-first-canada-2019-qs-world-university-subject-rankings">91³Ô¹Ï held the top spot nationally</a> for five broad subject areas and ranked in the top 10 globally for six subjects.</p> <p>In the <em>Times Higher Education </em>ranking, 91³Ô¹Ï leads Canadian universities and is <a href="/news/u-t-one-only-eight-universities-globally-place-top-50-subject-rankings-times-higher-education">one of only eight universities in the world to place in the top 50 across 11 subjects</a>.</p> <p>91³Ô¹Ï continues to be the highest ranked Canadian university and one of the world’s top-ranked public universities in the five principal international rankings: Times Higher Education, QS World Rankings, Shanghai Ranking Consultancy, U.S. News Best Global Universities and National Taiwan University.</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Wed, 19 Jun 2019 14:00:10 +0000 Christopher.Sorensen 156911 at 'A really pivotal player': President Meric Gertler on 91³Ô¹Ï's contribution to Toronto's booming tech scene /news/really-pivotal-player-president-meric-gertler-u-t-s-contribution-toronto-s-booming-tech-scene <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">'A really pivotal player': President Meric Gertler on 91³Ô¹Ï's contribution to Toronto's booming tech scene</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/0523_MericCollision003.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=9JhVLIn- 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/0523_MericCollision003.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=IMSuxMRV 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/0523_MericCollision003.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=86_GNfV- 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/0523_MericCollision003.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=9JhVLIn-" alt="Meric Gertler at Collision"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>Christopher.Sorensen</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2019-05-24T10:19:38-04:00" title="Friday, May 24, 2019 - 10:19" class="datetime">Fri, 05/24/2019 - 10:19</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item">91³Ô¹Ï President Meric Gertler underscored the university’s role in supporting Toronto’s thriving tech industry and the region’s innovation economy during a panel discussion at this week’s Collision conference (photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/simona-chiose" hreflang="en">Simona Chiose</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/city-culture" hreflang="en">City &amp; Culture</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/ontario-impact" hreflang="en">Ontario Impact</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/alumni" hreflang="en">Alumni</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/artificial-intelligence" hreflang="en">Artificial Intelligence</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/entrepreneneurship" hreflang="en">Entrepreneneurship</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/global" hreflang="en">Global</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/graduate-students" hreflang="en">Graduate Students</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/president-gertler" hreflang="en">President Gertler</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/research-innovation" hreflang="en">Research &amp; Innovation</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/startups" hreflang="en">Startups</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/undergraduate-students" hreflang="en">Undergraduate Students</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/vector-institute" hreflang="en">Vector Institute</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>The 91³Ô¹Ï is making significant contributions to the thriving Toronto tech industry and the region’s innovation economy, 91³Ô¹Ï President <strong>Meric Gertler</strong> told the Collision tech conference Thursday during a panel discussion on how start-ups can prepare for success.</p> <p>“The university is both a really pivotal player in generating talent, [while] attracting and retaining talent,†said President Gertler.</p> <p>“That makes a big difference in a city like this.â€</p> <p>He added the university’s goal is to create well-rounded graduates and entrepreneurs who understand customers’ needs and deliver advanced solutions. &nbsp;“We have focused on core competencies we want to develop in our students – things like being able to work well in teams, being able to communicate and collaborate effectively across cultural boundaries,†President Gertler said.</p> <p>“We are trying to take advantage of the fact that Toronto is such a global city, and our student body is so global, to make sure we develop those capacities in our students.â€</p> <p>The three-day Collision conference wrapped up Thursday. It was the first of three years that the North American tech conference will be hosted&nbsp;in Toronto. Over 25,000 people from 120 countries, 800 investors and over 70 trade missions attended.</p> <p>Almost 20 91³Ô¹Ï start-ups participated in the event, including fintech firm Tenzor AI, and MedMe Health, which offers caregivers and patients help in adhering to medication regimes.</p> <p>The schedule was packed with talks, seminars and day and evening networking events for investors and start-ups. New partnerships were also hatched, <a href="/news/lg-expands-research-partnership-u-t-focuses-ai-applications-businesses">including an expanded collaboration between 91³Ô¹Ï and LG</a> that will focus on AI applications for businesses.&nbsp;</p> <p><img class="migrated-asset" src="/sites/default/files/0523_MericCollision008_0.jpg" alt></p> <p><em>91³Ô¹Ï is building&nbsp;a “highway†between its existing and aspiring entrepreneurship community, President Gertler said&nbsp;(photo by Nick Iwanyshyn)</em></p> <p>Across various panels and speeches by the private sector and government, a consensus seemed to emerge: This is Canada’s moment.</p> <p>Prime Minister Justin Trudeau kicked off the event Monday telling the opening night crowd that education and immigration policies are ensuring next-generation companies have the talent they need.</p> <p>The “Canadian advantage is in providing extraordinarily well educated, hardworking, forward thinking, creative, ambitious Canadians to be part of the global economy,†Trudeau said.</p> <p>Ontario Premier Doug Ford echoed those comments in remarks Tuesday.</p> <p>“If you are considering investing in Ontario, the most important thing you should look at is the people,†he said.</p> <p>“Ontario has the best educated workforce in the world.â€</p> <p>Over the past decade, 91³Ô¹Ï entrepreneurs have created more than 500 companies and generated more than $1 billion in investment. The university will continue to build on those successes and is now creating a “highway†between its existing and aspiring entrepreneurship community, according to President Gertler.</p> <p>For example, 91³Ô¹Ï recently launched <a href="/news/true-blue-fund-will-support-early-stage-startups-u-t">a new $5-million True Blue Fund</a> for entrepreneurship that targets early-stage start-ups.</p> <p>91³Ô¹Ï entrepreneurs like <strong>Allen Lau</strong>, co-founder and CEO of story-sharing platform Wattpad, with more than 65 million users, said the quality and global experience of university graduates in Toronto, combined with the city’s regional and national connections to other tech ecosystems, are keeping tech companies in Canada.</p> <p>“Almost from day one we were able to build a workforce that can support our global ambitions,†said Lau, a 91³Ô¹Ï alumnus.</p> <p>He added that about half the company’s workforce speaks another language, a crucial benefit for a company with an international customer base.</p> <p>“I don’t believe that many cities in the world can do that. I am not saying Toronto is the only one, but Toronto is probably the best one to do that,†he told the audience.</p> <p>Other speakers noted that Canada and Toronto will continue to be top destinations for the tech industry thanks in part to initiatives like the <a href="/news/toronto-s-vector-institute-officially-launched">Vector Institute for Artificial Intelligence</a>.</p> <p>“Our AI ecosystem has done a really good job of putting Toronto on the map as a cluster of excellence,†said Candice Faktor, a managing partner with Faktory Ventures, a Toronto-based early-stage tech fund.</p> <p>“[<a href="https://www.provost.utoronto.ca/awards-funding/university-professors/">University Professor</a> Emeritus] <strong>Geoffrey Hinton </strong>and his lab and his descendants have become world recognized … So the corporate R&amp;D labs are being set up here, global talent is really interested in working with the best here,†she said of Vector’s chief scientific advisor who is sometimes dubbed the “godfather of deep learning.â€</p> <p>Twenty-five thousand jobs related to AI are anticipated in the Toronto region alone, according to <strong>Bianca Miller </strong>of&nbsp;the Vector Institute. To keep up, universities and companies will have to graduate new cohorts in the field while upskilling current employees, she said.</p> <p>Failing to make those investments will lead to missed opportunities, Miller added, pointing to estimates that AI will add as much as US$15.7 trillion to the global economy by 2030.</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Fri, 24 May 2019 14:19:38 +0000 Christopher.Sorensen 156759 at Like TIFF for tech: Collision conference shines a spotlight on city’s booming innovation scene /news/tiff-tech-collision-conference-shines-spotlight-city-s-booming-innovation-scene-0 <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">Like TIFF for tech: Collision conference shines a spotlight on city’s booming innovation scene</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/Toronto-sign-web-lead.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=HOMr6Aq5 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/Toronto-sign-web-lead.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=T997nDpJ 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/Toronto-sign-web-lead.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=1ZLmIumK 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/Toronto-sign-web-lead.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=HOMr6Aq5" alt="photo of the &quot;Toronto&quot; sign at Nathan Phillips Square"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>Christopher.Sorensen</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2019-05-16T12:26:48-04:00" title="Thursday, May 16, 2019 - 12:26" class="datetime">Thu, 05/16/2019 - 12:26</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item">91³Ô¹Ï President Meric Gertler and alumnus Allen Lau, the CEO of Wattpad, will be among the conference's more than 600 speakers, while several 91³Ô¹Ï startups will be in attendance (photo courtesy of Collision)</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/rahul-kalvapalle" hreflang="en">Rahul Kalvapalle</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/global-lens" hreflang="en">Global Lens</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/schwartz-reisman-innovation-centre" hreflang="en">Schwartz Reisman Innovation Centre</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/alumni" hreflang="en">Alumni</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/artificial-intelligence" hreflang="en">Artificial Intelligence</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/creative-destruction-lab" hreflang="en">Creative Destruction Lab</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/impact-centre" hreflang="en">Impact Centre</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/president-gertler" hreflang="en">President Gertler</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/research-entrepreneurship" hreflang="en">Research &amp; Entrepreneurship</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/research-innovation" hreflang="en">Research &amp; Innovation</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/rotman-school-management" hreflang="en">Rotman School of Management</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/startups" hreflang="en">Startups</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/thisistheplace" hreflang="en">ThisIsThePlace</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/utest" hreflang="en">UTEST</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/vector-institute" hreflang="en">Vector Institute</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p><strong>Roberto Cervantes</strong> and his team at CryptoNumerics are keen to take advantage of next week’s giant Collision tech conference to put the startup co-founded by 91³Ô¹Ï alumni on the map.</p> <p>One of the world’s fastest-growing and most influential technology conferences, Collision’s arrival in Toronto speaks to the rising importance of the city’s thriving tech and startup scene – not to mention the support it has received from 91³Ô¹Ï and its various innovation partners.</p> <p>The three-day affair, which has relocated to Toronto from New Orleans for the next three years, will feature over 600 speakers as well as exhibits catering to the startup and tech sectors. It kicks off on Monday and wraps up on Thursday.</p> <p>“We’re going to use Collision to talk to people and spread the word about who we are,†said <strong>Cervantes</strong>, a co-founder of CryptoNumerics, which uses artificial intelligence, or AI, to help companies in the financial and medical sectors crunch people’s data without compromising privacy.</p> <p>“We want to talk to the corporate ventures and the innovation departments of companies to see how we can get in.â€</p> <p>Cervantes adds that Collision’s move to Toronto will give startups like CryptoNumerics, which received support from 91³Ô¹Ï’s Creative Destructive Lab, an unprecedented degree of global exposure. “Collision will bring a lot of people who might not have come to Canada and Toronto otherwise,†he said. “It’s a very positive thing for Toronto startups because it will offer access to other startups, investors and different ways of thinking and doing things.â€</p> <p><img alt class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__10963 img__view_mode__media_large attr__format__media_large" height="453" src="/sites/default/files/Cryptonumeric-team-%28embed%29_0.jpg" typeof="foaf:Image" width="680" loading="lazy"></p> <p><em>“Collision will bring a lot of people who might not have come to Canada and Toronto otherwise,†said&nbsp;Roberto Cervantes (second from right), one of&nbsp;CryptoNumerics' co-founders (photo courtesy of&nbsp;CryptoNumerics)</em></p> <p>Collision arrives in Toronto at a time when the city’s tech and startup scene has plenty of momentum behind it. Just last year, for example, <a href="/news/toronto-added-more-tech-jobs-last-year-silicon-valley-or-anywhere-else-report">commercial real-estate firm CBRE said Toronto added more tech jobs than San Francisco, Washington and Seattle combined</a>, and now ranks among North America’s top five tech talent markets. Meantime, a recent report by Silicon Valley think-tank Startup Genome ranked the Toronto-Waterloo region 13<sup>th</sup> globally, and number one in Canada.</p> <p>As for 91³Ô¹Ï, the university <a href="/news/landmark-100-million-gift-university-toronto-gerald-schwartz-and-heather-reisman-will-power">recently announced plans for the Schwartz Reisman Innovation Centre</a>, a 750,000-square-foot complex designed to anchor 91³Ô¹Ï’s unique cluster of world-leading artificial intelligence scientists and biomedical experts, its world-class entrepreneurship network, and the country’s largest concentration of student- and faculty-led startups. The centre was made possible by a $100 million gift to the university from Canadian business luminaries <strong>Gerald Schwartz</strong> and <strong>Heather Reisman</strong>.</p> <p>In 2017, 91³Ô¹Ï also made headlines for partnering with government and industry to launch the Vector Institute for Artificial Intelligence, which counts deep-learning pioneer and <a href="https://www.provost.utoronto.ca/awards-funding/university-professors/#section_2">University Professor</a> Emeritus <strong>Geoffrey Hinton</strong> as its chief scientific adviser.</p> <p><strong>Charles Plant</strong>, a longtime tech entrepreneur and investor who is at 91³Ô¹Ï’s Impact Centre accelerator, said landing Collision could give the city an extra push to launch it into the top echelon of tech ecosystems.</p> <p>“Collision is a great opportunity for us to make a bigger impact to show the world what we’re doing,†Plant said, adding that the conference has the potential to do for Toronto’s tech industry what the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) did for the city’s film scene.</p> <p>“TIFF put Toronto on the map and associated Toronto with the film industry in a way that enabled it to grow more effectively. I think that’s what Collision can do for the tech industry. It can put Toronto in a place in the world that’s more prominent.â€</p> <p>The speakers announced for this year’s summit include leading figures from Fortune 500 companies, heads of some of the world’s most exciting startups and influential figures from media, entertainment and sport.</p> <p>91³Ô¹Ï President <strong>Meric Gertler</strong> will speak to the challenge of scaling up companies and innovation ecosystems during a panel discussion titled “Managing Unexpected Growth,†scheduled for May 23 at Collision’s Startup University stage. 91³Ô¹Ï alum <strong>Allen Lau</strong>, <a href="/news/content-factory-how-u-t-alumnus-allen-lau-disrupting-way-books-movies-and-tv-shows-are-made">CEO of self-publishing startup Wattpad</a>, will also be on the panel.</p> <p><img alt class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__10964 img__view_mode__media_large attr__format__media_large" height="453" src="/sites/default/files/Wattpad-Allen-Lau-%28embed%29.jpg" typeof="foaf:Image" width="680" loading="lazy"></p> <p><em>Alumnus Allen Lau, who is co-founder and CEO of the story-telling platform Wattpad, will be on a panel with 91³Ô¹Ï President Meric Gertler (photo courtesy of Wattpad)</em></p> <p>“Toronto is fast becoming one of the top global cities for technology innovation, so it’s only fitting that one of the world’s most influential technology conferences should move to our city,†said <strong>Derek Newton</strong>, 91³Ô¹Ï’s assistant vice-president of innovation, partnerships and entrepreneurship.</p> <p>“91³Ô¹Ï is proud to be one of the pillars of Toronto’s startup ecosystem, with our world-class research, talent production pipeline, assortment of accelerators and the university’s leadership role as a founding partner of innovation organizations like the MaRS Discovery District and the Vector Institute, which are crucial to making this city the vibrant technology hub that it is today.</p> <p>“We look forward to Collision’s speakers, events and workshops energizing and inspiring the next generation of innovators from 91³Ô¹Ï.â€</p> <p>91³Ô¹Ï will have a strong presence at Collision and will maintain a booth near the conference’s main stage, with a rotating cast of university-linked startups, incubators, co-op programs and alumni given the chance to engage with attendees.</p> <p>Among the 15 or so startups to be featured at 91³Ô¹Ï’s booth is Blue J Legal, <a href="/news/u-t-startup-blue-j-legal-raises-us7-million-plans-cross-border-expansion">which uses AI to predict the outcomes of tax and employment law cases</a>.</p> <p>“We see Collision as an excellent opportunity to share our vision of bringing absolute clarity to the law, everywhere and on demand,†said Michael Rodgers, director of marketing at Blue J Legal, which received support from 91³Ô¹Ï’s UTEST program and the Creative Destruction Lab (CDL), a seed-stage accelerator affiliated with the Rotman School of Management.</p> <p>“It’s a chance for us to showcase our one-of-a-kind technology and connect with innovative companies and professionals pushing the envelope of what’s possible in their respective fields.â€</p> <p>91³Ô¹Ï <a href="file://vault13/home13$/sorens28/My%20Documents/entrepreneurs.utoronto.ca/Collision">will also host innovation tours during the conference</a>, giving attendees the chance to learn about opportunities to collaborate with the university’s vibrant research and entrepreneurship community.</p> <p>“We’ve heard from Silicon Valley alumni of ours, investors, potential corporate partners and startups looking for talent,†said <strong>Keri Damen</strong>, managing director of 91³Ô¹Ï Entrepreneurship. “It’s a great opportunity to showcase 91³Ô¹Ï, Toronto and Canada at large to the global tech community.</p> <p>“Collision will bring in hundreds of global media, so it’s a great opportunity for us to reach a wider audience and let them know about the fantastic work being done here at 91³Ô¹Ï.â€&nbsp;</p> <p>91³Ô¹Ï entrepreneurs have created over 500 startups over the past decade and have generated more than $1 billion in investment. The university’s innovation network – which includes 10 campus-linked accelerators – is <a href="/news/u-t-entrepreneurship-ranked-among-best-university-managed-business-incubators">ranked among the world’s top five university-based incubators</a> in the world, according to UBI Global.</p> <p>Plant said 91³Ô¹Ï’s world-leading leading research makes it perfectly placed to produce new tech companies. He hailed the impact of 91³Ô¹Ï Entrepreneurship in fostering a community of innovators and entrepreneurs – something he said didn’t exist during his early days as an entrepreneur.</p> <p>“We’ve now acquired a community of people who know each other, that work together, that see each other at events,†he said. “That’s fundamental to establishing a successful tech economy.â€</p> <p>However, Plant said several challenges remain, particularly related to the scaling up of promising startups into world-leading companies.</p> <p>“If we can figure out how to scale companies, our potential is limitless,†he said. “91³Ô¹Ï has raw potential like you wouldn’t believe.â€</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Thu, 16 May 2019 16:26:48 +0000 Christopher.Sorensen 156705 at How 91³Ô¹Ï is re-thinking higher education for a changing world: President Meric Gertler in India's BW Education /news/how-u-t-re-thinking-higher-education-changing-world-president-meric-gertler-india-s-bw <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">How 91³Ô¹Ï is re-thinking higher education for a changing world: President Meric Gertler in India's BW Education</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/UofT13284_20170720_PresidentMericGertler_weblead.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=MxtviaUN 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/UofT13284_20170720_PresidentMericGertler_weblead.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=A3_FFoje 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/UofT13284_20170720_PresidentMericGertler_weblead.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=jWj62wLn 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/UofT13284_20170720_PresidentMericGertler_weblead.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=MxtviaUN" alt="Photo of 91³Ô¹Ï President Meric Gertler"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>Christopher.Sorensen</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2019-05-13T14:20:25-04:00" title="Monday, May 13, 2019 - 14:20" class="datetime">Mon, 05/13/2019 - 14:20</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item">(photo by Lisa Sakulensky)</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/global-lens" hreflang="en">Global Lens</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/myhal-centre-engineering-innovation-entrepreneurship" hreflang="en">Myhal Centre for Engineering Innovation &amp; Entrepreneurship</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/cities" hreflang="en">Cities</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/graduate-students" hreflang="en">Graduate Students</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/president-gertler" hreflang="en">President Gertler</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/undergraduate-students" hreflang="en">Undergraduate Students</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>From re-imagining the physical design of classrooms to encouraging students to apply knowledge to real-world problems, the 91³Ô¹Ï is constantly looking to improve how education is imparted in a rapidly changing world, 91³Ô¹Ï President <strong>Meric Gertler</strong> said in a wide-ranging interview with India’s&nbsp;<em>BW Education</em>.</p> <p>"Learning will work best when it is situated in a rich environment where there are real problems at hand, on your doorstep,†President Gertler said, citing the challenge of expanding affordable housing in Toronto as an example of a pressing societal problem that 91³Ô¹Ï students and faculty are tackling from several perspectives, from urban planning and architecture to civil engineering and economics.</p> <p>Students immersed in active problem-solving expand their skill-sets and boost their career prospects, but they also contribute to making Toronto a more livable city, which ultimately benefits 91³Ô¹Ï in what President Gertler termed “a case of enlightened self-interest.â€</p> <p>President Gertler also noted how 91³Ô¹Ï is experimenting with classroom designs – notably in the Myhal Centre for Engineering Innovation &amp; Entrepreneurship – to accommodate the shift towards increasingly interactive and group-focused education.</p> <h3><a href="http://bweducation.businessworld.in/article/Era-Of-The-Sage-On-The-Stage-Is-Over-Meric-Gertler-President-of-University-of-Toronto/11-05-2019-170394/">Read President Gertler’s full interview with <em>BW Education</em></a></h3> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Mon, 13 May 2019 18:20:25 +0000 Christopher.Sorensen 156671 at 91³Ô¹Ï, Ryerson, York and OCAD address student housing challenges, solutions at StudentDwellTO symposium /news/u-t-ryerson-york-and-ocad-address-student-housing-challenges-solutions-studentdwellto-symposium <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">91³Ô¹Ï, Ryerson, York and OCAD address student housing challenges, solutions at StudentDwellTO symposium</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/main--1140-x-760.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=6xGo4Rcu 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/main--1140-x-760.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=onR4Yl_- 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/main--1140-x-760.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=s8QYK5MP 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/main--1140-x-760.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=6xGo4Rcu" alt="Photo of students walking at 91³Ô¹Ï Scarborough"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>Romi Levine</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2019-05-03T13:34:18-04:00" title="Friday, May 3, 2019 - 13:34" class="datetime">Fri, 05/03/2019 - 13:34</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item">Students at all four Toronto universities struggle with housing affordability, researchers say (photo by Ken Jones)</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/romi-levine" hreflang="en">Romi Levine</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/city-culture" hreflang="en">City &amp; Culture</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/four-corners" hreflang="en">Four Corners</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/cities" hreflang="en">Cities</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/housing" hreflang="en">Housing</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/john-h-daniels-faculty-architecture" hreflang="en">John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/ontario-institute-studies-education" hreflang="en">Ontario Institute for Studies in Education</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/president-gertler" hreflang="en">President Gertler</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/studentdwellto" hreflang="en">StudentDwellTO</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/u-t-mississauga" hreflang="en">91³Ô¹Ï Mississauga</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/u-t-scarborough" hreflang="en">91³Ô¹Ï Scarborough</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Affordability has become a primary concern for Toronto residents – from the rising value of homes to soaring rents. But in conversations about affordable housing, one group is often left out: post-secondary students.</p> <p>The presidents of Toronto’s universities – the 91³Ô¹Ï, Ryerson University, OCAD University and York University – are pooling their resources and expertise to address this fundamental issue faced by students through the StudentDwellTO initiative.</p> <p>Since 2017, faculty and students at the four universities have been working together to conduct an extensive literature review, teach studio courses, hold focus groups with students, analyze data and look for solutions to student housing issues.</p> <p>Their work converged this week at StudentDwell+, a two-day symposium held at York University where groups presented their findings and scholars from around the world shared their expertise.</p> <h3><a href="/news/u-t-ocad-ryerson-york-collaborate-massive-joint-research-project-affordable-housing">Read more about StudentDwellTO</a></h3> <p>The symposium began with a panel discussion with senior leaders from the four universities: 91³Ô¹Ï President <strong>Meric Gertler</strong>, OCAD President and Vice-Chancellor Sara&nbsp;Diamond, York President and Vice-Chancellor <strong>Rhonda Lenton</strong> and Ryerson Vice-President of Research and Innovation Steven Liss.</p> <p>President Gertler told symposium attendees that universities can achieve more by working together.</p> <p>“We are all in this big, expensive city, we all have many, many students that have complicated lives. Many of them commute, many of them have part-time jobs, many of them have family obligations and many of them are on financial aid,†he said.</p> <p>“This is a theme that is common to all four universities.â€</p> <p>More than 60 per cent of undergraduate students are on needs-based financial aid, continued President Gertler, adding that the numbers are higher at 91³Ô¹Ï Scarborough and 91³Ô¹Ï Mississauga.</p> <p>“Our students face growing challenges in terms of their financial situation,†he said.</p> <p><img alt class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__10835 img__view_mode__media_original attr__format__media_original" src="/sites/default/files/StudentDwell-embed-750-x-500.jpg" style="width: 750px; height: 500px; margin: 10px;" typeof="foaf:Image"><br> <em>91³Ô¹Ï President Meric Gertler&nbsp;participates in a panel discussion on student housing with representatives from Toronto’s other universities&nbsp;(photo by Romi Levine)</em></p> <p>The four universities had previously worked together on StudentMoveTO, a large-scale survey of student travel behaviours. The results detailed the sacrifices students were making by paying a premium to live close&nbsp;to campus or&nbsp;commute long distances to get to school.</p> <p>“The StudentMove data is amazing because you really see that the longer the commute, the more students try and concentrate their learning and their research experience and their on-campus work experience into a couple of days,†said Diamond.</p> <h3><a href="/news/studentmoveto">See the results from StudentMoveTO</a></h3> <p>At the symposium, members of StudentDwell’s core team presented some of the initial findings from 26 focus groups conducted&nbsp;with 116 students on six campuses. They&nbsp;included concerns about: limited on-campus housing options; predatory landlords; high&nbsp;transportation costs;&nbsp;and limited ability to participate in extracurricular activities if students lived far away from&nbsp;their classes.</p> <p>Students also said their physical and mental well-being had taken a toll because of housing-related stress, including feelings of isolation from not being able to participate fully in campus life.</p> <p>In speaking with students and reading literature on student housing, it became clear that one of the key issues is that students are rarely consulted in the decision-making processes around student housing, said Shelagh McCartney, an assistant professor at Ryerson’s School of Urban and Regional Planning and a StudentDwell member.</p> <p>“There's a lot of perspective from parents and from developers in these discussions, but there are very few from actual students,†she told <em>91³Ô¹Ï News</em>.</p> <p>When it comes to finding solutions for student housing challenges, it’s not about finding a silver bullet, but “trying to understand how you can leverage positive and negative things to actually come up with an opportunity to do something,†said <strong>Mauricio Quirós Pacheco</strong>, an assistant professor, teaching stream at the John H. Daniels Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Design who is also part of StudentDwell.</p> <p>The StudentDwell team&nbsp;suggested ways for universities to get started on addressing students'&nbsp;housing needs.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Marcelo Vieta</strong>, assistant professor at 91³Ô¹Ï’s Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, said universities should look beyond developers&nbsp;to forge housing partnerships with non-profits, governments and co-operatives. He also said it was important to amplify student voices by teaming up with organizations such as student unions.</p> <p>While design solutions are also being looked at, changing policy is also an important part of the equation, said Vieta.</p> <p>“It's this unregulated private market with abusive landlords that's a major issue that's directly impacting [students’] education,†he told <em>91³Ô¹Ï News</em>.</p> <p><img alt class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__10842 img__view_mode__media_large attr__format__media_large" src="/sites/default/files/2018-08-12-Spadina%20sussex-resized2_0.jpg" style="width: 317px; height: 453px; margin: 10px; float: left;" typeof="foaf:Image">During the presidents’ panel discussion, President Gertler echoed these challenges.</p> <p>“The status quo is clearly not working here,†he said. “We do need to find creative alternatives that depart from the standard private market model.â€</p> <p>One of the ways the 91³Ô¹Ï is doing so is through its <a href="/news/four-corners-u-t-unveils-development-strategy-campus-housing-other-key-services">“four corners†real estate strategy</a>, according to President Gertler.</p> <p>The&nbsp;strategy, which includes new residences like the proposed tower at Spadina and Sussex Avenues (left),&nbsp;focuses on “how we can utilize our land assets in particular in ways that generate value for the university and enhance our academic vision, and, at the same time, enhance the livability of everyone in the Greater Toronto Area,†President Gertler said.</p> <p>91³Ô¹Ï is in conversations with “socially-minded†developers who have a “shared goal of ensuring the continued dynamism of the city by ensuring people who live there are diverse in every sense of the word, including their socioeconomic position,†President Gertler added.</p> <p>All four university leaders stressed the important role universities play in quality of life for Toronto residents and in addressing urban challenges.</p> <p>“You see an increasing awareness of the importance of understanding the impact universities are actually having in bringing together multiple sectors, in bringing together not-for-profits or private industry to collaborate together and really leveraging individual strengths, and how to make a maximum difference or a maximum impact with a particular problem we're dealing with,†said Lenton.<br> <br> In holding an event like StudentDwell+, Quirós Pacheco said those conversations between stakeholders can begin to take place.</p> <p>“It's one of the few times where you really understand the breadth of the problem, but also the breadth of the expertise that are at the table and just how global the problem is.â€</p> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> <div>&nbsp;</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Fri, 03 May 2019 17:34:18 +0000 Romi Levine 156557 at President Gertler on how 91³Ô¹Ï can prepare students for the 'fourth industrial revolution' /news/president-gertler-how-u-t-can-prepare-students-fourth-industrial-revolution <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">President Gertler on how 91³Ô¹Ï can prepare students for the 'fourth industrial revolution'</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/Gertler-Korea-1140-x-760.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=Gjzj2_xA 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/Gertler-Korea-1140-x-760.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=KuU0VY6j 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/Gertler-Korea-1140-x-760.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=oUhl_GqH 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/Gertler-Korea-1140-x-760.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=Gjzj2_xA" alt="Photo of Meric Gertler"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>Romi Levine</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2018-10-17T13:09:35-04:00" title="Wednesday, October 17, 2018 - 13:09" class="datetime">Wed, 10/17/2018 - 13:09</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item">91³Ô¹Ï President Meric Gertler calls himself a “techno-optimist†(photo by Lisa Sakulensky)</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/global-lens" hreflang="en">Global Lens</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/artificial-intelligence" hreflang="en">Artificial Intelligence</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/graduate-students" hreflang="en">Graduate Students</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/president-gertler" hreflang="en">President Gertler</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/undergraduate-students" hreflang="en">Undergraduate Students</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>In an era where artificial intelligence and automation are becoming commonplace, “how can we educate our students to be ready for the disruptive changes brought by the fourth industrial revolution,†asks 91³Ô¹Ï President <strong>Meric Gertler&nbsp;</strong><a href="http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20181017000781">in an interview with the <em>Korea Herald</em></a>.</p> <p>The answer, he says, is to prepare them to be resilient and to strengthen competencies they can use throughout their career, which include: “capacities for communication, creative problem-solving, teamwork and emotional intelligence.â€&nbsp;</p> <p>President Gertler spoke with the Seoul-based publication during a recent trip to Korea&nbsp;about the intersection of technology and education. In the article, he calls himself a “techno-optimist.â€</p> <p>“The history of technological development shows that the very forces that disrupt the economy also create new employment opportunities and whole new industries that we can’t predict,†he says.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <h3><a href="http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20181017000781">Read the article in the<em> Korea Herald</em></a></h3> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Wed, 17 Oct 2018 17:09:35 +0000 Romi Levine 145160 at President Meric Gertler receives honorary degree from Shanghai Jiao Tong University /news/president-meric-gertler-receives-honorary-degree-shanghai-jiao-tong-university <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">President Meric Gertler receives honorary degree from Shanghai Jiao Tong University</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2017-03-28-gertler-china-lead.jpg?h=e3784ac9&amp;itok=xrs70bkE 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/2017-03-28-gertler-china-lead.jpg?h=e3784ac9&amp;itok=k6dt-Pqo 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/2017-03-28-gertler-china-lead.jpg?h=e3784ac9&amp;itok=Vk2xbn8G 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2017-03-28-gertler-china-lead.jpg?h=e3784ac9&amp;itok=xrs70bkE" alt="photo of meric gertler at Shanghai Jiao Tong University"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>ullahnor</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2017-03-31T11:02:12-04:00" title="Friday, March 31, 2017 - 11:02" class="datetime">Fri, 03/31/2017 - 11:02</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item">President Meric Gertler speaking at the commencement ceremony at Shanghai Jiao Tong University where he received an honorary degree (photo courtesy of Shanghai Jiao Tong University)</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/noreen-ahmed-ullah" hreflang="en">Noreen Ahmed-Ullah</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-legacy field--type-string field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Author legacy</div> <div class="field__item">Noreen Ahmed-Ullah</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/global-lens" hreflang="en">Global Lens</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/global" hreflang="en">Global</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/international" hreflang="en">International</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/president-gertler" hreflang="en">President Gertler</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>President <strong>Meric Gertler</strong> has become one of the few North American scholars to receive an honorary degree from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in China.</p> <p>He received the honour Sunday from the public research university at a commencement ceremony for students receiving advanced degrees. It was part of a six-day international trip that took him to Belfast, London and through the streets of Shanghai on a rented bike. Those who keep an eye on his Instagram account were also treated to an explainer on how best to enjoy XiaoLongBao steamed dumplings.</p> <p><img alt class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__4080 img__view_mode__media_original attr__format__media_original" src="/sites/default/files/gertler-china-2017.JPG" style="width: 750px; height: 466px; margin: 10px;" typeof="foaf:Image"></p> <p>Previous recipients of an honorary degree from Shanghai Jiao Tong include Thomas Rosenbaum, president of Caltech University, Peter Salovey, president of Yale University,&nbsp;and Junichi Hamada, president of the University of Tokyo.</p> <p>At the ceremony, President Gertler talked about the partnership between the 91³Ô¹Ï and Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and he quoted alumnus and Governing Council member <strong>Mark Rowswell</strong> – known in China as the popular entertainer Dashan.</p> <p>“He said, and I quote, 'I didn’t go to China to be a comedian, but a bridge between East and West,'†President Gertler told students and their families.&nbsp;</p> <p>“The partnership between our two universities – and indeed our two countries – is a bridge that truly spans the globe,†he said. “It supports a bustling, two-way traffic of talent, enabling the flow of ideas and the generation of solutions to some of the most important, shared challenges of our time.&nbsp;</p> <p>“It fosters a deep appreciation of the power and necessity of international cooperation, in a period of history when some other countries are retreating to within their borders.â€</p> <p><img alt class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__4085 img__view_mode__media_original attr__format__media_original" src="/sites/default/files/gertler-china-audience-embed.jpg" style="width: 750px; height: 563px; margin: 10px;" typeof="foaf:Image"><br> <em>President Meric Gertler at the commencement ceremony on Sunday (photo courtesy of Shanghai Jiao Tong University)</em></p> <p>The president pointed out that scholars at the two universities have co-authored 524 publications in the past five years alone.</p> <p>“This kind of collaboration is fostering global prosperity by generating and transmitting new ideas – and the innovations that come from them – as never before in our history,†he said.</p> <p>This was the president’s fourth trip to China since he took office in 2013. During his second trip, in December 2015, he toured various Chinese universities and gave a talk at the Canadian embassy in Beijing on the role of leading universities and their host city-regions in driving prosperity.</p> <p>He continued to build on that theme throughout this trip, when speaking to alumni in London on March 21 and in delivering the Eaton Lecture in Belfast on March 23. The latter is an annual event hosted by Queen’s University Belfast and funded through an endowment from the Eaton Foundation.</p> <p>“In regions around the world – from Boston to Beijing to Belfast, to my own home in Toronto – the partnership between research-intensive universities and their host city-regions is a fundamental, mutually beneficial catalyst for innovation, resilience and prosperity,†he said.</p> <p>“Universities help create urban dynamism. They are recognized as sources of well-educated talent, creativity, entrepreneurship, resilience and the capacity for places to reinvent their economies. They also bring long-term stability to their host regions, while at the same time connecting these places to the&nbsp;wider world. They have emerged as major drivers of local, national and international prosperity.â€</p> <p><img alt class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__4079 img__view_mode__media_original attr__format__media_original" src="/sites/default/files/gertler-china-2017-2_0.JPG" style="width: 750px; height: 570px; margin: 10px;" typeof="foaf:Image"></p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Fri, 31 Mar 2017 15:02:12 +0000 ullahnor 106301 at 'A stark alternative': President Meric Gertler on Canada's openness and inclusiveness in a changing world /news/stark-alternative-president-meric-gertler-canada-s-openness-and-inclusiveness-changing-world <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">'A stark alternative': President Meric Gertler on Canada's openness and inclusiveness in a changing world</span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2016-12-08-the-lead.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=ryoFKemk 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/2016-12-08-the-lead.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=80suUkBI 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/2016-12-08-the-lead.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=WjPshlYe 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2016-12-08-the-lead.jpg?h=afdc3185&amp;itok=ryoFKemk" alt="Photo of 91³Ô¹Ï"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>ullahnor</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2016-12-08T10:00:54-05:00" title="Thursday, December 8, 2016 - 10:00" class="datetime">Thu, 12/08/2016 - 10:00</time> </span> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/global-lens" hreflang="en">Global Lens</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/alumni" hreflang="en">Alumni</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/students" hreflang="en">Students</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/us" hreflang="en">U.S.</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/donald-trump" hreflang="en">Donald Trump</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/brexit" hreflang="en">Brexit</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/president-gertler" hreflang="en">President Gertler</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/prospective-students" hreflang="en">Prospective Students</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/undergraduate-education" hreflang="en">Undergraduate Education</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-subheadline field--type-string-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Subheadline</div> <div class="field__item">“I think we’re doing many things right now that will position us as a stark alternative to things that are happening in other countries, including the U.K. and the U.S.â€</div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>91³Ô¹Ï President <strong>Meric Gertler</strong> speaks about Canadian universities' potential to “capitaliseâ€&nbsp;on political climates in the U.S. and U.K. in&nbsp;today's<em> <a href="https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/university-of-toronto-president-meric-gertler-canadas-openness-is-stark-alternative-to-uk-us">Times Higher Education</a></em>.</p> <p>“There’s no question that with the kind of uncertainty that Brexit has triggered and also with the political climate south of the border in the U.S. and the kind of election campaign [there] over the last…months, Canada has certainly emerged as a place of stability, of openness, of inclusiveness,†said President Gertler, who spoke to <em>Times Higher Education</em> before Donald Trump was elected as the next American president.</p> <p>“I think we’re doing many things right now that will position us as a stark alternative to things that are happening in other countries, including the U.K. and the U.S.,†he said.</p> <p>He said it was a time for change at Canadian universities.</p> <p>“One gets a sense that it is a particularly interesting moment where Canadian universities have an opportunity to capitalise on some great advantages if we do it intelligently.â€</p> <p>Canada hopes&nbsp;to attract 450,000 international students by 2022, roughly double the numbers in 2011. President Gertler told <em>Times Higher Education</em> that the key to meeting this target is the Canadian government's plans to relax the citizenship process for international students and the federal government's increased investment in research and scientific infrastructure.</p> <p>“There’s no question that one of the factors that attract students to study in Canada is the opportunity to stay here after they graduate and build lives and build careers here,†he said.</p> <h3><a href="https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/university-of-toronto-president-meric-gertler-canadas-openness-is-stark-alternative-to-uk-us">Read the <em>Times Higher Education</em>&nbsp;article</a></h3> <p>91³Ô¹Ï is organizing events for prospective students and alumni in New York City&nbsp;on Dec. 13 and in Washington D.C. on Dec. 15.</p> <h3><a href="/news/we-north-u-t-invites-prospective-us-students-and-alumni-events-nyc-and-washington-dc">Read the <em>91³Ô¹Ï News</em> article about U.S. students</a></h3> <p>The NYC event will feature a talk called 'Saving The World: Innovative Sustainable Development At 91³Ô¹Ï,' moderated by Professor&nbsp;<strong>Joseph Wong</strong>&nbsp;of the Faculty of Arts &amp; Science, 91³Ô¹Ï's associate vice-president and vice-provost,&nbsp;international student experience. The talk will include&nbsp;professors from the Faculty of Applied Science &amp; Engineering, Faculty of Medicine and Rotman School of Management.</p> <h3><a href="https://utoronto.askadmissions.net/Portal/EI/ViewDetails?gid=623577bbe7cc618ae442089f281d0736822087">Learn more about the NYC event&nbsp;</a></h3> <p>At the Washington D.C. event, a talk called &nbsp;'Aftershocks: A Global View On The U.S. Election' will feature professors&nbsp;from the Faculty of Arts &amp; Science, the 91³Ô¹Ï Scarborough and the Rotman School of Management. Professor <strong>Peter Loewen</strong> will moderate.&nbsp;</p> <h3><a href="https://utoronto.askadmissions.net/Portal/EI/ViewDetails?gid=62357785e2a10695b74c62a9401cc2f3a87043">Learn more about the Washington D.C. event</a></h3> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Thu, 08 Dec 2016 15:00:54 +0000 ullahnor 102726 at