University of Calgary lifts its Eyes High
September 28, 2011
New strategy aims for top five status by the university’s 50th anniversary in 2016
The University of Calgary today released its new strategic direction, a bold and ambitious vision to become one of Canada’s top five research universities, grounded in innovative learning and teaching and fully integrated with the community of Calgary, by the university’s 50th anniversary in 2016.
The strategy was developed through Project Next, a months-long, campus-wide strategy planning process that reached out to the entire university community – students, faculty, and staff – and to alumni and leaders in the city of Calgary.
The result is Eyes High – a collective strategic direction for the next five years that belongs to everyone at the university.
“I would like to thank the thousands of people in our community and beyond who shared their aspirations, goals and values for the University of Calgary through the most extensive consultation process ever undertaken on our campus,” said Elizabeth Cannon, president. “We saw and heard at every turn the pride and genuine desire to make this a truly great university. And we learned that we are a community and a city of courageous thinkers and leaders, and that we are determined to look far up and to dream very big.”
The essence of the strategy is a statement that defines the university’s future direction:
The University of Calgary will be a global intellectual hub located in Canada’s most enterprising city. In this spirited, high-quality learning environment, students will thrive in programs made rich by research and hands-on experiences. By our 50th anniversary in 2016, we will be one of Canada’s top five research universities, fully engaging the communities we both serve and lead.
The strategy statement is supported by three foundational commitments:
- Sharpen focus on research and scholarship;
- Enrich the quality and breadth of learning;
- Fully integrate the university with the community.
The strategy also articulates eight core values shared by the university community: curiosity; support; collaboration; communication; sustainability; globalization; balance; and excellence.
With the strategic direction established, the next step for the university is to develop the roadmap to reach its goals and realize its potential.
“I look forward to the years ahead, working with everyone in the community to transform the strategy into concrete action, and to advance the University of Calgary on the national and international stage” added Cannon. “I am extremely proud to lead a university with such a daring vision for the future.”
Read the full Eyes High strategy document