As I travel I often ask my seat mate in the plane, or my taxi driver, to list some of the major universities in the Atlantic region. More often than not, Memorial University is not mentioned. After seven years as the university's vice-president (acad emic), I believe more than ever that our greatest weakness has been our failure to tell the world about our many strengths.
We know that the grass is always greener in the pasture next door. But many faculty colleagues coming back from sabbatical leave often spontaneously comment with a tinge of surprise that in many aspects Memorial compares very favorably to whatever un iversity they were visiting. That is not a surprise to me - I have found this to be true from the very first week I started to work here. Throughout the university there are pockets of real excellence among students, staff and faculty alike. And across t he board, I happily compare Memorial's teaching and research programs with universities far better known to my travel companions over the years.
We need to get that message out-and fast. Universities everywhere are under great pressure. Governments have cut back funding. Competition from newer institutions is stiffening, whether the challenge comes from virtual universities, from university- colleges, from the now numerous industry-based universities, or the rapidly developing for-profit universities. Monopolies are crumbling. For the first time in its history perhaps, Memorial's survival will depend on its ability to win the hearts and mi nds of the general public, of government and, above all, of the dwindling number of students graduating from high school each year.
Does the university have the tools? Very much so. Does it have the will? I hope so - but the health of our university is only assured when every single person working at Memorial understands and accepts that the game has changed. Value for money, s ervice, reliability, in general a much higher student focus and true excellence in all we do, be it scholarship or teaching. become the key issue.
Memorial University is Newfoundland's largest and most developed natural resource, and it is self-renewing, too! Historically it has enjoyed very fair support from the provincial government. Joey Smallwood's decision to create a university was a piec e of enlightened public policy crucial to the social, cultural and, yes, economic development of the province and its people. I will no longer be able to add my voice to those who urge the government of the day to remember this, but you can. Stress the positive. No institution is perfect and blemishes are easiest seen close-up. I, however, will leave remembering Memorial as one of the finest institutions in which I have worked.
The past seven years have, at times, been challenging, but also immensely rewarding. Memorial University, and the Newfoundland community at large, have enriched my life. For that I am grateful.
Jaap Tuinman,
Vice-president (academic) and pro vice-chancellor