University of Waterloo names Vivek Goel as 7th president, vice-chancellor

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 19 -- University of Waterloo has named Vivek Goel, a distinguished scholar with extensive achievements in research, teaching and leadership across both public and private sectors, as the seventh president and vice-chancellor.

Goel, who begins his five-year term on July 1, next year has been recognised in Canada and worldwide as a leading public-health researcher, health-services evaluation expert, and champion for the use of research evidence in health policymaking.

He has held several senior roles at the University of Toronto, including Vice-President and Provost and most recently as Vice-President of Research and Innovation, according to a statement.

Currently serving as a member of the federal government’s COVID-19 Immunity Task Force and Scientific Advisor for the CanCOVID Research Network, the public health physician was previously the founding president and chief executive officer of Public Health Ontario.

Chair of the University of Waterloo’s Board of Governors, Cindy Forbes said Goel was uniquely qualified to guide the institution and bolster strengths at the intersection of health, society and technology.

“I look forward to working with Dr Goel as he leads Waterloo on its transformational path and builds on the achievements of President Feridun Hamdullahpur.”

The appointment represents the culmination of an almost year-long effort by a 19-member presidential nominating committee comprising students, staff, faculty and board governors, in consultation with stakeholders across campus and the broader community.

Goel obtained his medical degree from McGill University and did his post-graduate medical training in community medicine at the University of Toronto. He obtained a master’s degree (MSc) in health administration from the University of Toronto and a master’s degree (MS) in biostatistics from Harvard University’s School of Public Health.

-- BERNAMA