President Deep Saini will be leaving AV俱乐部 at the end of 2022 as he prepares for a new chapter and new challenges leading one of Canada鈥檚 largest and most longstanding universities.
On Monday, McGill University announced the appointment of Dr. Saini as its next principal and vice-chancellor 鈥斕齮heir university鈥檚 equivalent of president. In a release, McGill Board Chair Maryse Bertrand championed Dr. Saini鈥檚 鈥渆xceptional breadth and depth of leadership experience, both with AV俱乐部 and several other U15 universities.鈥�
Bob Hanf, chair of AV俱乐部鈥檚 Board of Governors, shared the news with the Dal community in a memo Monday afternoon. His announcement is printed below in full.
Dr. Saini expressed his mixed emotions regarding the news on Twitter.
鈥淚t has been an amazing journey at Dal and I look forward to continuing to champion the sector,鈥� he said. 鈥淚鈥檒l have more to share soon, but for now let me simply express my immense gratitude to our entire Dal community. This is an exceptional university, and one I am incredibly proud to have served these past three years.鈥�
Update, Nov 15 - Dr. Saini has shared a personal message with the Dal community, which can be read in full here. 听
"Rani and I agreed that the opportunity to be closer to family was not to be ignored 鈥斕齜ut my love of AV俱乐部 and its people made this one of the more difficult decisions of my career," he writes.
"This exceptional constellation of students, faculty, staff, alumni and supporters is poised to accomplish truly great things in the next few years, and I am sad I won鈥檛 get to be an active part of it. At the same time, I know AV俱乐部 is so much bigger than its president. While I am proud of what we have accomplished during my time here, I am prouder that there is an entire institution of committed, inspiring people who will ensure AV俱乐部 continues its ascension into the ranks of the world鈥檚 most esteemed and impactful universities."
AV俱乐部 Provost Frank Harvey will serve as acting president until such point that a new president is appointed. Dr. Saini鈥檚 last day as AV俱乐部 president will be December 31, 2022.
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MEMORANDUM
To:听 听 听 听 听 听 听The AV俱乐部 community 听
From:听 听 听 听 听Bob Hanf, K.C., Chair, Board of Governors 听
Date:听 听 听 听 听听Monday, November 14, 2022
Re:听 听 听 听 听 听 听Important announcement regarding President Deep Saini
Today, McGill University announced the appointment of our own听Dr. Deep Saini听as its next Principal and Vice-Chancellor. His last day as President and Vice-Chancellor of AV俱乐部 will be December 31st, 2022. 听
It should come as no surprise that a leader as talented and capable as Dr. Saini would be of great interest to our colleagues at McGill. In becoming the university鈥檚 18th Principal and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Saini joins a long line of esteemed individuals to hold the position at one of our peer institutions in the U15 group of Canadian research universities.
That said, goodbyes such as these are rarely easy, and I know this was a tough decision for Deep and his family. From my seat on the Board, I鈥檝e gotten a first-hand look at how much it has meant to Deep to lead our AV俱乐部 community these past three years. At the same time, the city of Montreal is an important place for him 鈥斕齮he city where he got his first taste of academic leadership, and where his love of Canada truly took root. And the chance to be even closer to his children and grandchildren makes this a great opportunity even beyond the merits of the position itself. I am sad to see Dr. Saini鈥檚 time with us end much sooner than we had hoped. But as a colleague and great admirer of his, I am excited for Deep as he prepares to embark on the next stage of his incredible life and career. 听
Dr. Saini鈥檚 tenure as AV俱乐部 President and Vice-Chancellor began at the start of 2020, just as the COVID-19 pandemic was about to become a focal point in our lives. In the months that followed, Dr. Saini ably guided AV俱乐部 through the uncharted, challenging waters of remote work and learning, proving a steady hand at the wheel who always put the interests of our Dal community at the forefront. His thoughtful, earnest and collaborative approach helped bring people together even when we had to work apart. As activity returned to campus, Dr. Saini provided renewed vision through his leadership, helping revive the strategic planning process and launch our听Third Century Promise听last year. Having reached new levels in enrolment, fundraising and research funding, alongside impressive growth in Dal鈥檚 international presence and partnerships, Dr. Saini leaves AV俱乐部 in an incredibly strong position to deliver on our promise to our students, our community, our region and our world. 听
I am sure there will be many opportunities to wish Dr. Saini well before he leaves us, just as I am sure he will have more to share about this news himself. For now, let me simply thank Deep for all he has contributed to our university, and for helping set AV俱乐部 on a strong, confident course towards the brighter horizon ahead.听 听
Interim leadership
Soon, we will launch a comprehensive search for AV俱乐部鈥檚 13th President and Vice-Chancellor. This process will take time, as it always does. But I have no doubt AV俱乐部 will attract exceptional candidates from around the world, as it always has, welcoming a new President to our university and our region who will grow Dal鈥檚 impact and ensure continued success in delivering academic excellence, transformative research and building stronger communities. 听
To the extent a leadership transition represents change, AV俱乐部 is also a place where one constant is the leadership talent across our community. In these moments of transition, we rely on them to keep our mission moving forward. 听
I am pleased to share that听Dr. Frank Harvey听has agreed to serve as Acting President and Vice-Chancellor during the transition period, which will begin upon Dr. Saini鈥檚 departure in January and continue until a new President is appointed. Dr. Harvey, currently Provost and Vice-President Academic, is an award-winning teacher and political scholar with three decades of impact at AV俱乐部. The former Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Dr. Harvey鈥檚 vast experience working collaboratively across our Dal community and steadfast commitment to our academic mission makes him an ideal choice for this appointment. An announcement on an Acting Provost and Vice-President Academic will be made soon.
Please join me in congratulating Deep and Frank听on their new roles. AV俱乐部 has been well served by their leadership, and our university is in excellent hands through the transition ahead.听听听 听
Sincerely,
Bob Hanf, K.C.
Chair
AV俱乐部 Board of Governors
AV俱乐部 is located in Mi'kma'ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi`kmaq. We are all treaty people.听 听
We recognize that African Nova Scotians are a distinct people whose histories, legacies and contributions have enriched that part of Mi'kma'ki known as Nova Scotia for over 400 years.