The first Governors' Council of the Université de l'Ontario français (UOF) was named on April 9 in order to officially launch its starting plan, with the goal of welcoming its first students as early as 2020.
"We have the ambition of offering four transdisciplinary university program slots to support the long-awaited project of a Francophone university for and by Franco-Ontarians. UOF intends to become a 21st-century university renowned locally and internationally due to the excellence of its schooling, achievements, students and faculty. I gladly join this first Council, with all its experience, skill and values of inclusiveness and diversity in our society."
- Dyane Adam, Chair, Technical Implementation Committee - Université de l'Ontario français
1. The Governors
Dyane Adam was named by governmental decree as chairperson of the planning committee for a French-language university in 2016; she chaired the Technical Implementation Committee for Université de l'Ontario français in 2017.
John M. Beck In 2013, the Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships (CCPPP) named him PPP Champion; in 2015, the Federal Ministry of Finance named him to the board of administrators of PPP Canada.
Normand Côté played an essential role for over 20 years in the Canadian Bankers' Association by representing the banking sector and all Canadian employers in various parliamentary and senatorial hearings, and in the UN's International Labor Organization in Geneva.
Frédéric Dimanche is a marketing professor and director of the Ted Rogers School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Ryerson University in Toronto. In 2013, Frédéric was elected as a fellow of the prestigious International Academy for the Study of Tourism (IAST).
Rodrigue Gilbert is Leader of Transport and Logistics for Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC) Canada. He boasts over 20 years of management experience in the fields of technology management, operations and sales and marketing management in a large selection of industries.
Koubra Haggar is a young Hamiltonian in 12th grade at Georges-P.-Vanier High School. She is part of the student council in Conseil scolaire Viamonde, is president of the Regroupement des élèves conseiller.ère.s francophones de l'Ontario (RECFO), and is vice-president of the Fédération de la jeunesse franco-ontarienne (FESFO).
Fété Ngira-Batware Kimpiobi is licensed in Social, Administrative and Political Studies, with a focus on International Relations, from the Free University of Kinshasa (ULK, Democratic Republic of Congo). After arriving in Canada near the end of 1999, Fété Ngira-Batware moved to Niagara and became General Manager of Solidarité des femmes et familles immigrantes francophones du Niagara (Sofifran).
Marième Lo is director of African Studies programs and full professor of Women's and Gender Studies at the University of Toronto. Professor Lo's research and publications focus on the political economy of gender and development with a particular focus on female entrepreneurship, gender equality and female empowerment.
Jacques Naud is First Vice-President, Sales and Distribution, for Knowledge First Financial. He boasts over 30 years of experience in the financial services industry. Aside from his professional activities, Mr. Naud has also always been very active in his community, especially in the matter of business, education, and health.
Florence Ngenzebuhoro is currently General Manager of the Centre francophone de Toronto, the largest Francophone multiservice centre in Ontario. She has also implemented the concept of actively offering services in French in the communities of Hamilton, Welland, Port Colborne, London, Windsor and Sarnia.
Glenn O'Farrell Glenn is fascinated by technology; he has studied economy, law, business and business management. Mr. O'Farrell is an innovative senior executive with a resume that underscores his ability to develop and implement transformational strategies, both in the public and private sector.
Marie-Andrée Vermette is a lawyer and associate of WeirFoulds LLP in Toronto. She chairs the commercial litigation group of WeirFoulds. Mrs. Vermette works in the field of civil litigation, commercial litigation and public law.
2. Vision of Learning Based on the Co-Creation of Knowledge
With a spirit of innovation and the pursuit of excellence, Université de l'Ontario français will offer, for each study program, an education focused on the skills associated with the realities of the workplace and their evolution. The co-creation of knowledge, experimentation and innovative research will constitute the essence of learning, in order to make the university into a breeding ground for creativity, analysis, and the business aptitudes necessary in an ever-evolving economy.
Transdisciplinary, digital, collaborative learning spaces will be focused on social issues, and will be the basis for education and knowledge creation.
UOF will officially open in 2020, with a focus on jobs of the future, specifically the following university programs:
- Human Plurality
- Globalized Economy
- Urban Environments
- Digital Cultures
ABOUT UNIVERSITÉ DE L'ONTARIO FRANÇAIS
Université de l'Ontario Français (UOF) is the first independent Francophone university in Ontario. It promotes the growth of the Francophonie by contributing to social changes through a commitment to seeking solutions to the great social problems of the 21st century. UOF fosters sharing, creation, and the transfer of knowledge, and promotes a transdisciplinary environment. It therefore develops the potential of learners, optimizes the French fact, and democratizes its use on the job market. As a true laboratory of cutting-edge innovation and research, UOF offers its university community an operational model based on blockchain technology. It contributes to creating new generations of knowledge.
