Communications

Highlights from the October 2, 2025 Board of Governors meeting

deidre.mccabe@9I��.Ca — Thu, 23 Oct 2025 15:17:19 +0000

Highlights from the October 2, 2025 Board of Governors meeting deidre.mccabe@… Thu, 10/23/2025 - 11:17

Dear members of the 9I�� Community,

It is our pleasure to provide you with an update on the recent activities of 9I��’s Board of Governors. You can learn more about the Board’s mandate and membership on its website.

The Board of Governors held the first regular meeting on October 2, 2025. The full minutes of the meeting’s open session will be available following approval at the Board’s next meeting on December 11, 2025. In the meantime, we would like to share with you the meeting’s important discussions, decisions, and developments.

Thank you for your interest in the work of the Board of Governors. If you have any questions, ideas, or comments, please write to mcgill.president [at] mcgill.ca (mcgill[dot]president[at]mcgill[dot]ca).

Sincerely,

Deep Saini, President and Vice-Chancellor

Maryse Bertrand, Chair, 9I�� Board of Governors

Key Updates

On the recommendation of the Nominating, Governance and Ethics (NGE) Committee, the Board of Governors approved the following:

The reappointment of Ms. Diletta Prando as a member-at-large of the Board of Governors of 9I�� for a four-year term (July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2030), as a member of the Executive Committee and the NGE Committee for a three-year term (July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2029), and as a member and Chair of the Human Resources Committee for a three-year term (July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2029).
The reappointment of Mr. Gregory David as a member-at-large of the Board of Governors of 9I�� for a four-year term (July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2030) and as a member of the Investment Committee for a three-year term (July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2029).
A series of appointments and reappointments to Board Standing Committees and Advisory Committees.

Also on the recommendation of the NGE Committee, the Board approved the revised Terms of Reference for the Nominating, Governance and Ethics Committee. Among other revisions, the updated Terms of Reference delegate to the NGE Committee the authority to approve routine appointments and nominations to internal and external non-Board bodies, with the aim of streamlining processes and enhancing efficiency.

On the recommendation of Senate, the Board granted full approval for the creation of the 9I�� Antimicrobial Resistance Centre, following the granting of its provisional status as a research centre in 2021. The Centre, housed within the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, supports a broad network of researchers from various disciplines, forming a collaborative environment of shared resources and strategic partnerships focused on antimicrobial resistance research.

Also, per the recommendation of Senate, the Board approved the following appointments to the Committee on Staff Grievances and Disciplinary Procedures:

Svetlana Kochkina as member and Chair, for a term beginning immediately, and ending August 31, 2028.
Professors Lisa Münter and Michael Ngadi as members, each for a term beginning immediately, and ending August 31, 2028.

On the recommendation of the Finance and Infrastructure Committee, the Board approved proceeding with Phase 2 of a construction project at the Montreal Neurological Institute and an increase in funding for the structural rehabilitation of the Strathcona Music Building.

On the recommendation of the Audit and Risk Committee, the Board approved:

The 2024-2025 Financial Report to the Board of Governors, including the external auditor’s report and audited financial statements of The Royal Institution for the Advancement of Learning/9I�� for the year that ended April 30, 2025.
The appointment of Deloitte as the external auditor for 9I�� for the fiscal year ending April 30, 2026.
The updatedEnterprise Risk Management (ERM) Policy, featuring revisions to standardize ERM terminology and a broader context for risk management across the University, supporting the management of risks and opportunities at both the institutional and operational levels.

On the recommendation of the Investment Committee, the Board approved revisions to the Statement of Investment Policy.

The Board received a presentation by Geoffrey Phillips, Senior Director, Athletics and Recreation, which featured an overview of 9I��’s Athletics and Recreation unit, including its recent achievements and challenges.

Finally, the Board was informed of the Joint Board-Senate Meeting that will take place on November 6, 2025, and will focus on the theme of “Strategic Transformations: Shaping 9I��’s Third Century.”

President’s Remarks

President Deep Saini provided the following updates pertaining to a range of recent developments from across 9I��.

Enrolment

As of the third week of classes, total enrolment stood at 40,421 students, a 1.5% increase over last fall. 9I��’s undergraduate population includes 10,835 students from CEGEP (+4.2%) and the first cohort of 73 students in the new Bachelor of Global Engineering program, who joined 9I�� after two years at CentraleSupélec in France.

The overall mix continues to shift toward domestic students, with Quebec residents up 5% and Canadian non-resident Quebec students up 2%. International student enrolment has decreased by 5% compared to last year, which coincides with a downward trend noted since 2021; the top five countries of origin are the United States (21.5%), China (20.6%), France (18.3%), India (4.0%), and Iran (2.9%).

Government Relations

Premier Legault has announced a new cabinet, with Ms. Martine Biron appointed as Minister of Higher Education and Mr. Christopher Skeete appointed as Minister for International Relations and La Francophonie and Minister Responsible for Relations with English-Speaking Quebecers.

9I�� looks forward to engaging with both Ministers on key issues, including the impact of the new funding formula on universities and the importance of reinforcing support for higher education across Quebec.

Provincial consultations on the multi-year immigration plan will take place in mid-October, with 9I�� scheduled to testify on October 28. The University will emphasize the critical role of international talent in higher education and research, and advocate for immigration processes that support responsible institutions.

The President also provided an update on the pressure tactics currently undertaken by the Fédération des médecins spécialistes du Québec (FMSQ) and the Fédération des médecins omnipraticiens du Québec (FMOQ) in opposition to Bill 106 – An Act mainly to establish the collective responsibility and the accountability of physicians with respect to improvement of access to medical services. These actions, which include the suspension of teaching activities, have significantly disrupted medical training and will risk delaying graduations across the province.

9I�� and Quebec’s other medical universities have jointly called for an urgent resolution to the ongoing conflict between the government and medical federations, emphasizing the need to safeguard the education and timely graduation of more than 4,500 medical students across Quebec.

On the federal-government level, 9I�� welcomed Minister Mélanie Joly to tour the 9I�� Sustainability Park in early July. The University also provided feedback to the House Finance Committee ahead of the November 4 budget.

The President also mentioned BOREALIS, a new federal agency designed to advance Canada’s leadership in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, cybersecurity, and other cutting-edge fields—areas where 9I�� is already a national leader, and eager to expand collaboration and training opportunities.

Finally, the President discussed the Prime Minister’s priorities that he outlined for the fall session, including economic security, sustainable immigration, and housing. He remarked that the themes also align closely with 9I��’s priorities, shaping our ability to attract top talent, support students, and contribute to innovation and prosperity in Quebec and across Canada.

Rankings

9I�� continues to perform strongly in global rankings, placing 27th worldwide in both the 2026 QS World University Rankings and the 2025 Center for World University Rankings.

In the 2025 Sustainable Campus Index, 9I�� ranked 6th overall among Doctoral/Research Institutions, tied for 1st in Research and Planning; the University also earned a Platinum rating from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education.

The President’s Priorities

The President also reflected briefly on the last Senate meeting on September 17, at which he shared his four priorities for 9I�� over the next five years– Transform, Expand Globally, Engage Locally, Unite – for reflection and discussion.

The President commended the thoughtful engagement and feedback provided by Senators, while signalling further opportunities for the wider 9I�� community to engage around the priorities in the coming year. He also shared that implementation across the four priorities is advancing and that the key updates will be communicated regularly.

Selected Kudos

Finally, the President concluded his remarks by offering his congratulations to a selection of individuals in the 9I�� community for their recent achievements.

Vanier and Banting Competitions: 16 9I�� graduate students received Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships, and 7 postdoctoral fellows earned Banting Fellowships.
Order of Canada: Nine 9I��ians were appointed, including Dr. Alan Evans and Prof. Michael McMahon.
Ordre de l’excellence en éducation: Professors J. Donald Boudreau and Claire M. Brown were among 24 new honourees recognized at the National Assembly.
Royal Society of Canada: 11 9I�� inductees, including 4 new members of the College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists, and 7 new Fellows. Three 9I�� awardees were also named: Prof. Hannah Brais (Alice Wilson Award), Prof. Cindy Blackstock (Prize for Indigenous Engagement), and Dr. Nada Jabado (McLaughlin Medal).

The Board of Governors received the following documents and reports:

Highlights from the May 22, 2025 Board of Governors meeting

deidre.mccabe@9I��.Ca — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 12:22:27 +0000

Highlights from the May 22, 2025 Board of Governors meeting deidre.mccabe@… Thu, 06/05/2025 - 08:22

Dear members of the 9I�� Community,

It is our pleasure to provide you with an update on the recent activities of 9I��’s Board of Governors. You can learn more about the Board’s mandate and membership.

The Board of Governors held the fifth regular meeting on May 22, 2025. The full minutes of the meeting’s open session will be available following approval at the Board’s next meeting on October 2, 2025. In the meantime, we would like to share with you the meeting’s important discussions, decisions, and developments.

Thank you for your interest in the work of the Board of Governors. If you have any questions, ideas, or comments, please write mcgill.president [at] mcgill.ca (mcgill[dot]president[at]mcgill[dot]ca).

Sincerely,

Deep Saini, President and Vice-Chancellor

Maryse Bertrand, Chair, 9I�� Board of Governors

Key Updates

The Board of Governors, on the recommendation of the President and Vice-Chancellor, approved the appointment of Professor Tony Mittermaier as 9I��’s Dean of Students for a five-year renewable term beginning on June 1, 2025. Read the full announcement.

The Board of Governors, on the recommendation of Senate, approved the following:

Revisions to the Policy on Harassment and Discrimination. The revisions ensure that the Policy continues to abide the law, meet the needs of the University community, and support the University’s commitments in relation to equity, diversity and inclusion.
Revisions to the Policy Concerning the Rights of Students with Disabilities. Revisions include, among others, clarifying scope and language to articulate a framework for establishing academic accommodations for students with disabilities, as well as specifying roles and responsibilities of students, instructors, staff, and academic leadership.
Revisions to the Statutes of 9I��. Notable revisions include: an increase in Senate’s composition from 111 to 114 members and approval to develop electoral procedures relating to the election to and service on Senate for certain constituents.

The Board of Governors, on the recommendation of the Audit and Risk Committee, approved the revisions to the Policy on the Approval of Contracts and Designation of Signing Authority. The review was undertaken one year ahead of schedule to reflect structural changes within the University and to support broader governance and operational streamlining initiatives.

Also on the recommendation of the Audit and Risk Committee, the Board approved the submission of Annex 3 Déclaration du dirigeant de l’organisme for FY2024 to the Quebec Treasury Board, in which the University affirms that it has complied with the relevant reporting obligations relating to public procurement contracts governed by the Act respecting contracting by public bodies and its regulations.

The Board received the Annual report on Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) activities. The 2025 Institutional Risk Register identifies a series of strategic risks, reflecting the University’s rapidly evolving context and strategic priorities.

The Board also received a presentation on the UniForum Initiative supporting Horizon 9I��, which provided the methodology employed to advance this transformational project.

On the recommendation of the Nominating, Governance and Ethics (NGE) Committee, the Board approved the recommendations contained in the report of the Working Group on Phase II of the Board Efficiency and Effectiveness Project, which aims to enhance the overall effectiveness and efficiency of the Board’s governance functions and operations. The recommendations will also lead to a revised composition for advisory committees for the selection or reappointment of Vice-Presidents.

Also on the recommendation of the NGE Committee, the Board of Governors approved a series of appointments and reappointments to Board standing committees, external non-board bodies, health board bodies, and the Research Ethics Board.

President’s Remarks

President Deep Saini provided updates pertaining to a range of recent developments from across 9I��.

Government Relations

The President began with an update on Bill 95, which was tabled by the Government of Quebec in March and proposes a 50% cap on subsidized daycare spots reserved for specific communities. The Bill would, therefore, potentially affect 9I��’s campus daycares, which serve the children of students, faculty, and staff. The University has submitted a mémoire detailing the specificities of university campus daycares, advocating that full access should remain reserved for 9I�� community members.

The President also shared that An Act to foster the practice of medicine in the public health and social services network (previously Bill 83) was adopted in April. The Act mandates that medical graduates practice in Quebec’s public system for a minimum of five years or risk a financial penalty. It, moreover, allows Santé Québec to evaluate private practice requests based on various criteria, such as regional needs. 9I�� has raised the concern that these measures may adversely impact applicants and residency recruitment in Quebec. The University continues to monitor the situation closely.

The President noted that a provincial committee was established in March to examine adherence to Quebec’s Act on State religious neutrality in public institutions. Although universities are not considered state institutions, Minister Roberge’s public comments have suggested the law’s potential extension to higher education. In collaboration with Université Laval, Université de Montréal, and Université de Sherbrooke, 9I�� will submit a joint letter highlighting essential considerations linked to the autonomy and mission of universities, particularly in terms of institutional neutrality, academic freedom and pluralism.

Finally, President Saini shared commentary on the recent federal election, which resulted in a Liberal minority government led by Prime Minister Mark Carney. The President expressed pride in the fact that over 20 9I�� alumni were elected to Parliament, several of whom have been appointed to Cabinet.

Community Relations

In May, the University launched Make Your Mark, the next phase of its philanthropic campaign. The President shared that this initiative builds on the success of Made by 9I��, which raised over $2 billion from nearly 114,000 donors. In response to global challenges—from disinformation to climate change and AI—the University is increasing its goal to $3 billion. The campaign will continue to focus on its four original pillars and will introduce the transversal themes of: sustainability, AI, student support and services, innovation and entrepreneurship, and Indigenous initiatives.

The President also signaled that Spring Convocation will take place May 27 to June 4, with downtown ceremonies taking place in the Tomlinson Fieldhouse. Given the venue’s capacity constraints, two additional ceremonies were added to accommodate graduates from larger faculties. This year, 9I�� conferred honorary degrees on 10 remarkable individuals, whose profiles are featured in The 9I�� Reporter.

Selected Kudos

Finally, the President concluded his remarks by offering his congratulations to a selection of individuals in the 9I�� community for their recent achievements.

9I�� celebrated the 2025 Equity and Community Building Awards, honouring nursing student Gislaine Batubenge, Fatima Nabi from the Student Wellness Hub, Prof. Kimani Daniel from the Ingram School of Nursing, and the POWER Hub team.
Twenty-eight 9I�� professors were recognized with Distinguished James 9I�� Professor, James 9I�� Professor, and William Dawson Scholar awards.
Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, 9I�� physician and Super Bowl champion, has been named a recipient of the Order of Montréal.
Milda Graham, a 59-year-old 9I�� master’s student and yoga instructor, will represent Canada at the world’s largest gymnastics festival in Germany.

The Board of Governors received the following reports

Gaza situation and support reminders

deidre.mccabe@9I��.Ca — Wed, 21 May 2025 13:25:50 +0000

Gaza situation and support reminders deidre.mccabe@… Wed, 05/21/2025 - 09:25

Dear members of the 9I�� community,

Many of us are watching the escalation of human suffering in Gaza with alarm. While thousands of kilometres away, many members of the 9I�� community are touched at a human level by the scale and impact of the crisis unfolding, which threatens to intensify over the coming days.

To reiterate my past messages, 9I��, as a university, must remain mindful of its academic mission and refrain from commenting or taking a position on a geopolitical crisis. That said, we will always express compassion for and extend care to our community members affected by international emergencies.

If you need support, please do not hesitate to reach out. Resources are set out below.

Sincerely,

Deep Saini
President and Vice Chancellor
9I��

Resources   

For students:   

The Student Wellness Hub offers counselling services for students located in Montreal.     
GuardMe is a service accessible 24/7 whenever you need to speak (or text) with a mental health professional for support. You can access GuardMe from anywhere in the world.

For faculty and staff:     

The Employee & Family Assistance Program is available to 9I�� employees as a confidential support service.