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University of Manitoba launches strategic plan for 2015–2020

November 26, 2014 — 

At its meeting of November 25, 2014, the University of Manitoba’s Board of Governors approved Taking Our Place, the University’s strategic plan for 2015 – 2020, which had been recommended by the University’s Senate earlier this month.

The University held over 50 input sessions with groups from across campus, engaging almost 1,200 faculty, staff, students and alumni. This feedback was used to inform the plan, which will function as a guide for decision-making over the next five years. The plan builds on the 2009 Strategic Planning Framework while taking into account learning experiences collected along the way.

Taking Our Place identifies the University’s mission, vision and values, and articulates a pledge to pursue relationships and dialogue with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples based on mutual trust, respect, and reciprocity, and to move forward with Indigenous communities in a spirit of reconciliation and collaboration.

It also lays out five institutional priorities:

  • Inspiring Minds through innovative and quality teaching
  • Driving Discovery and Insight through excellence in research, scholarly work and other creative activities
  • Creating Pathways to Indigenous achievement
  • Building Community that creates an outstanding learning and working environment
  • Forging Connections to foster high impact community engagement

Each priority details the specific goals and supporting actions the University will focus on to achieve success in these areas.

“These priorities will guide us in moving forward on a path that makes sense for us as Manitoba’s largest and sole research-intensive university,” said Dr. David Barnard, President and Vice-Chancellor. “Together, working with this plan as our guide, we will take our place as a leader on the national and global stages.”

President Barnard noted Taking Our Place is a refinement of the previous framework and that the conversations held with our community reaffirmed and refined the University’s strategic priorities.

Dr. Joanne Keselman, Vice-President (Academic) and Provost, chaired the Strategic Planning Committee, which included representation from across the University community. The extensive process of soliciting and reviewing feedback from the University community guided the committee on the direction of Taking our Place.

“The input we received for this plan was tremendously valuable in identifying the priorities that continue to be important for this university community as well as to shape our future as a great university”, Keselman expressed.

The University Senate Executive Committee, Senate, Board of Governors and the community as a whole participated in the review of earlier versions of the plan before a revised draft was submitted to Senate and the Board of Governors for approval.

“This important initiative would not be possible without the support and involvement of faculty, staff, students and alumni and, in particular, the endorsement from the University’s Senate and Board of Governors,” Keselman stated.

In addition to the plan being published online in its entirety, a printed summary will be available at a later date. Read the plan here.

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