ASSOCIATION OF ATLANTIC UNIVERSITIES
Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray, President and Vice-chancellor, Saint Mary's University, Halifax, N.S., appointed Chair, Association of Atlantic Universities (AAU)

Dr. Robert (Rob) Summerby-Murray, President and Vice-chancellor, Saint Mary's University, Halifax, N.S., has been appointed Chair, Association of Atlantic Universities (AAU).

Dr. Summerby-Murray will serve a two-year term as Chair, effective immediately.

In addition to Dr. Summerby-Murray, AAU Council (Presidents) appointed the following to the AAU Executive Committee:

• Dr. Denis Prud'homme, Recteur, Université de Moncton, Vice-chair
• Dr. Paul Mazerolle, President, University of New Brunswick
• Dr. Greg Keefe, Interim President, University of Prince Edward Island
• Dr. Neil Bose, President Pro Tempore, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador
• Dr. Andy Hakin, President, St. Francis Xavier University
• Dr. Peggy Shannon, President, NSCAD University

Upon his appointment, Dr. Summerby-Murray, noted that the core values of the region's universities are centred upon research and innovation, student success, social mobility, community engagement, leadership, and accountability.

"These core values are central to the contribution of strong public universities to regional prosperity and social and cultural development," said Dr. Summerby-Murray.

"Ensuring our campuses are innovative, accessible, safe, secure and welcoming to all students is fundamental to making Atlantic Canada an education destination, locally, nationally and internationally," he said. An important continuing agenda item for the AAU will be the fostering of its positive working relationship with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to facilitate the efficient processing of international student visa applicants accepted by our universities and to ensure alignment between immigration policies and the social and economic growth aspirations of Atlantic Canada.

"Universities play a significant role in regional population growth by attracting, educating, and helping retain international students in communities across Atlantic Canada. We will continue to work collaboratively and cooperatively with our provincial and municipal governments to create affordable student housing on and off campus as well as reliable and efficient public transit systems," said Dr. Summerby-Murray.

He also noted that, "our university leaders know that improving access to healthcare is a top priority for Atlantic Canadians. In addition to graduating thousands of students annually who have been educated and trained to work in all aspects of healthcare delivery, our institutions are also focused on promoting healthy and active lifestyles among our students, values that will remain with them, their families, and communities in which they reside into the future."