UBC president to chair AUCC board of directors

MONTREAL – Stephen Toope, president and vice-chancellor of The University of British Columbia, 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 Montreal.

Prof. Toope, a Montreal native, was named president and vice-chancellor of UBC in 2006, and began his second five-year term in July 2011. He has been instrumental in expanding the institution’s role as a living laboratory in sustainability, deepening its international engagement and advancing student learning.

As an international law scholar, Prof. Toope represented Western Europe and North America on the UN Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances from 2002 to 2007. Prior to joining UBC, he was president of the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Foundation. From 1994-1999, Prof. Toope served as the youngest dean in the history of McGill University’s faculty of law.

“It is a privilege for me to serve in this role,” said Prof. Toope.  “Every member of the AUCC brings different qualities, but we share a common commitment to helping Canada meet the challenges of our world.  I look forward to working with members to strengthen support for education, research and service to our communities.”

Prof. Toope succeeds outgoing AUCC chair Michel Belley, rector of the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, who has been chair since 2009.

Also announced today was the appointment of Elizabeth Cannon, president of the University of Calgary, as regional director for the West for a two-year term, and of Yves Beauchamp, director general of the École de technologie supérieure, as regional director for Québec, also for a two-year term. Dr. Beauchamp has filled this role on AUCC’s board since January 2011.

AUCC’s membership is made up of university presidents, rectors and principals representing the interests of their 95 institutions across the country. Twelve members serve on the board of directors, along with the Association’s president Paul Davidson.

AUCC is the voice of Canada’s universities both at home and abroad.

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For more information:

Helen Murphy
AUCC Communications Manager
hmurphy@aucc.ca
Cell: 613-608-8749