AUCC names J.-L Michel Belley of Chicoutimi new chair

Ottawa, October 28, 2009 — J.-L. Michel Belley, rector of the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, began a two-year term as chair of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada’s board of directors today at AUCC’s membership meeting in Ottawa.

AUCC is the national association of executive heads of public and private not-for-profit universities and university degree-level colleges.

“I will strive to provide continuity during my mandate,” said Dr. Belley. “I hope to share with Canadians my conviction of the increasingly essential role that universities play in the economic, social and cultural development of the country. For Canada to maintain its position as one of the best economies in the world,” he said, “it must invest in the knowledge economy.”

Dr. Belley is the seventh rector of the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi and graduated from UQAC himself in 1973 with a bachelor in finance administration. He earned a master’s degree from the Université de Sherbrooke and a PhD from the Université de Rennes, France. He has been a professor in economic and administrative sciences at UQAC since 1978. Dr. Belley is also the secretary-treasurer of the executive council of the Conference of Rectors and Principals of Quebec Universities (CREPUQ), the provincial association of executive heads of universities.

As UQAC rector since 2001, Dr. Belley has been instrumental in expanding the institution’s role in research tied to the regional economy and intensifying international connections. He has served as vice-chair for the past year.

“Dr. Belley has an enviable record of improving the educational experience for students at his institution and making university research relevant for Canada and the world,” said AUCC president Paul Davidson. “We look forward to working with him to continue to provide an authoritative and constructive voice for Canada’s universities nationally and internationally.”

Dr. Belley succeeds Tom Traves, president of Dalhousie University, who has been chair since 2007. Dr. Traves will remain on the board as past chair. Other board members are:

• Stephen Toope, president of the University of British Columbia
• Max Blouw, president of Wilfrid Laurier University
• David Naylor, president of the University of Toronto
• Robert Campbell, president of Mount Allison University
• David Turpin, president of the University of Victoria
• Judith Woodsworth, president of Concordia University
• J. Colin Dodds, president of Saint Mary’s University
• Heather Munroe-Blum, principal of McGill University
• Sheldon Levy, president of Ryerson University
• Michael Stevenson, president of Simon Fraser University
• Paul Davidson, president and CEO of AUCC

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View J.-L. Michel Belley’s bio and photo.

For more information please contact:

Leslie Cole
Assistant Director of Communications
Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada