As Deep Saini settles in as AV俱乐部鈥檚 new president and vice-chancellor, he brings to the role a deep admiration for the achievements of those who came before him.
鈥淲hat an honour to be granted the privilege of serving AV俱乐部 at this moment in its evolution,鈥� said Dr. Saini at a welcome reception last week on Studley Campus. 鈥淭wo hundred years of history and the last decade with incredible successes.鈥�
He spoke to a packed room of staff, faculty and students gathered at the meet-and greet event in LeMarchant Place Friday about Dal鈥檚 鈥渋ncredible reputation鈥� 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 鈥� expressing his desire to 鈥渨ork together鈥� to take Dal to the next level.
鈥淭hat next level is not going to be a timid ambition,鈥� 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.
鈥淵ou will find me walking around the campus all the time,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 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鈥檛 wait to get to your offices.鈥�
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鈥檚 approach.
鈥淗e鈥檚 warm, community oriented, open, which is exactly what we need.鈥�
Attendees lined up following Dr. Saini鈥檚 remarks for a chance to chat and snap a photo.
Andrea King, an instructor in Dal鈥檚 English for Academic Purposes program, organized for a group of her students to attend last week鈥檚 event to meet the president. She said her students 鈥� all international students studying English before they start their full-time studies 鈥� wanted a chance to meet the president. 鈥淏ecause they鈥檒l 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,鈥� 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鈥檚 event with some of her fellow Dal Tigers to hear from Dr. Saini 鈥� who they鈥檇 heard is a big sports fan.
鈥淚 think it鈥檚 exciting what he鈥檚 going to do with Dal,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 hope he brings the university towards even better things.鈥�
Another Tiger in attendance, Annika Rose, a fourth-year Kinesiology student who plays on the women鈥檚 hockey team, said she and some teammates wanted to let Dr. Saini know that they appreciate his support. 鈥淲e wanted him to have a good welcoming from the varsity student athletes,鈥� she said.
Words of welcome, words of thanks
For Candace Thomas, chair of AV俱乐部鈥檚 Board of Governors and a member of the search committee that selected the new president, Dr. Saini鈥檚 approach holds appeal not just for what it promises to bring AV俱乐部 but also the broader region.
鈥淗e鈥檚 a post-secondary leader, an educational visionary and a distinguished researcher whose reputation spans borders,鈥� said Thomas, in her opening remarks introducing Dr. Saini. 鈥淵et he also understands how vital an institution like AV俱乐部 is in building a stronger future for Atlantic Canada.鈥�
Candace Thomas
Dr. Saini thanked Teri Balser, Dal鈥檚 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 AV俱乐部, he does so with a spirit of optimism and collaboration.
鈥淭he most exciting part of our journey lies ahead,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hat journey starts now. I would like all of us to fasten our proverbial seatbelts and get ready for the excitement that is coming.鈥�
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.
