HALIFAX, NS – M. Allister Surette, Recteur et vice-chancelier, Université Sainte-Anne, Church Point, NS, has been appointed Chair, Association of Atlantic Universities (AAU). The AAU is an advocacy organization working on behalf of the region’s 16 universities.
M. Surette will lead the AAU for the next two years. He was appointed by his colleagues during the AAU Council’s recent Fall meeting at the University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, NB.
During AAU Council’s Fall meeting, university Presidents generally projected positive enrolment growth for 2019-2020 despite the well-known demographic challenges facing Atlantic Canada (note that, the AAU will release its Preliminary Enrolment data for 2019-2020 on October 15th).
M. Surette attributed positive enrolment growth across the region’s universities to a few factors including, “the wide-ranging diversity among our universities; our collective emphasis on great teaching and, the growing opportunity offered to many undergraduate students to actively participate in research that matters.”
He added that, “all of our institutions work hard at ensuring our campuses offer a unique and welcoming student experience and high-quality educational opportunities.”
The new AAU Chair also noted that campus infrastructure renewal remains the most significant challenge facing universities in Atlantic Canada.
“We are public institutions that drive economic growth, social development and talent attraction across the region. Government investment is essential to help universities address the growing accumulated deferred maintenance issue if we are to maintain high quality and continue to attract top students, faculty and senior staff to Atlantic Canada.”
To learn more about Allister Surette please visit: https://www.usainteanne.ca/allister-surette
The Association of Atlantic Universities (AAU) represents the interests of universities across the region, ensuring public visibility for the important role they play in preparing future leaders of our communities, in path-breaking research and innovation, and in contributing to the economic, cultural and social prosperity of life in Atlantic Canada.
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For further information, contact
Peter Halpin, Executive Director, Association of Atlantic Universities
(902) 425-4238 or (902) 497-4419