As Deep Saini settles in as Dalhousie’s new president and vice-chancellor, he brings to the role a deep admiration for the achievements of those who came before him.
“What an honour to be granted the privilege of serving Dalhousie at this moment in its evolution,” said Dr. Saini at a welcome reception last week on Studley Campus. “Two hundred years of history and the last decade with incredible successes.”
He spoke to a packed room of staff, faculty and students gathered at the meet-and greet event in LeMarchant Place Friday about Dal’s “incredible reputation” for both outstanding research and outstanding undergraduate experience.
While Dr. Saini celebrated the progress of centuries past, he also brought a message of ambition for the future to the gathering — expressing his desire to “work together” to take Dal to the next level.
“That next level is not going to be a timid ambition,” he said.
Prioritizing people
Dr. Saini said he intends to be a very people-oriented leader on a quest to meet as many Dalhousians as possible. To that end, he plans to be visible and present around campus often.
“You will find me walking around the campus all the time,” he said. “I invite you today to stop me when our paths cross and tell me what it is that excites you and what wakes you up in the morning and why it is you can’t wait to get to your offices.”
Dr. Saini addresses members of the Dal community
Professor Boris Worm, a marine ecologist who runs a lab in the Department of Biology at Dal, said there was a lot to like about Dr. Saini’s approach.
“He’s warm, community oriented, open, which is exactly what we need.”
Attendees lined up following Dr. Saini’s remarks for a chance to chat and snap a photo.
Andrea King, an instructor in Dal’s English for Academic Purposes program, organized for a group of her students to attend last week’s event to meet the president. She said her students — all international students studying English before they start their full-time studies — wanted a chance to meet the president. “Because they’ll be graduating from the university, they really wanted to meet the president before he started and then see him again on stage when they graduate,” she said.
Andrea King and students pose with Dr. Saini
The reception also drew a number of student athletes, including Emily Holt, a second-year medical sciences student and varsity basketball player. She said she stopped by last week’s event with some of her fellow Dal Tigers to hear from Dr. Saini — who they’d heard is a big sports fan.
“I think it’s exciting what he’s going to do with Dal,” she said. “I hope he brings the university towards even better things.”
Another Tiger in attendance, Annika Rose, a fourth-year Kinesiology student who plays on the women’s hockey team, said she and some teammates wanted to let Dr. Saini know that they appreciate his support. “We wanted him to have a good welcoming from the varsity student athletes,” she said.
Words of welcome, words of thanks
For Candace Thomas, chair of Dalhousie’s Board of Governors and a member of the search committee that selected the new president, Dr. Saini’s approach holds appeal not just for what it promises to bring Dalhousie but also the broader region.
“He’s a post-secondary leader, an educational visionary and a distinguished researcher whose reputation spans borders,” said Thomas, in her opening remarks introducing Dr. Saini. “Yet he also understands how vital an institution like Dalhousie is in building a stronger future for Atlantic Canada.”
Candace Thomas
Dr. Saini thanked Teri Balser, Dal’s provost and vice-president academic, for stepping in as interim president last year so that he could finish off his work at the University of Canberra, where he had been president for the past few years.
Now, as he refocuses his energies on Dalhousie, he does so with a spirit of optimism and collaboration.
“The most exciting part of our journey lies ahead,” he said. “That journey starts now. I would like all of us to fasten our proverbial seatbelts and get ready for the excitement that is coming.”
A welcome reception for Dr. Saini will be held on Sexton Campus this afternoon (Jan. 22), with events on Carleton Campus and the Agricultural Campus scheduled for next week. Full details.
