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| From the President |  |
The
approaching festive season is a good time for reflection: another
semester and another year have passed. This past year has been
most eventful and important.
We have concluded four collective agreements with NAPE, two CUPE
locals and MUNFA. It is regrettable that the MUNFA strike occurred,
but the dedication with which MUNFA members returned to work
was most gratifying for our students and community. I would have
preferred to have reached an agreement without a strike; however,
the collective agreement process worked and we came to terms.
As we move into the festive season, I hope that we can all put
the strike behind us and focus on what we do best: teach students,
engage in research and creative pursuits, and serve our communities.
The essence of a fine university is its people. This belief is
exemplified in the present issue of The Communicator because
it contains a number of features on our outstanding faculty and
staff. For example, on page 5 you can read about exemplary employees
who were recognized at a ceremony held on Nov. 15. While a great
many people at Memorial work very hard and effectively, I feel
that we should not be reticent about drawing attention to those
who have made particularly outstanding contributions. On page
9 we therefore highlight some of our outstanding teachers and
researchers.
On pages 10-13 you will find the names of employees who have
dedicated 20 or more years to the service of Memorial University.
Such service represents almost a lifetime of dedication. On page
6 you can read about pensioners who have been recognized this
year by the Memorial University Pensioners Association.
This fall also brought some excellent news. We launched the Oil
and Gas Development Partnership in September, and Landmark Graphics
Corporation made a very generous donation of software (worth
over $10 million) in support of this initiative on Nov. 24. The
Marine Institute has just received funding from the provincial
government that will enable us to double the intake of students
into the marine transportation programs.
On Dec. 14, we announced a new partnership with Ascension Collegiate
in Bay Roberts, designed to share expertise and recruit students.
Without question, there is much more good news to come. I look
forward to working with you to make our university an even better
place of learning, research, creativity and work.
I hope that you will take time during the upcoming holiday season
to relax and enjoy time with your family. With best wishes for
peaceful holidays and a very happy new year.
Axel Meisen
PRESIDENT AND VICE-CHANCELLOR