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Dr. Trimbee delivers annual State of the University address

Dr. Annette Trimbee speaks in front of the audience during the 2018 State of the University Address.

Dr. Annette Trimbee addresses the audience during the 2018 State of the University. ©UWinnipeg

Dr. Annette Trimbee, UWinnipeg President and Vice-Chancellor, delivered her annual State of the University Address today. She used the address to provide updates on the University’s five strategic directions: academic excellence and renewal; student experience and success; Indigenization; research excellence, knowledge mobilization, and impact; and financial and institutional resilience.

“What each of our strategic directions share in common is a set of guiding principles that we used to originally create them in 2015,” Dr. Trimbee told the assembly. “Three years later, we are staying true to those principles, and the result is measurable progress.”

The address reflected on the changing expectations of universities as employers seek job-ready graduates who can adapt to new jobs in the digital age. The University of Winnipeg remains committed to providing high-quality education, while maintaining its reputation as an accessible post-secondary option for under-represented and non-traditional students.

“Our accessibility is deeply embedded in our identity, and it’s something that all of us take pride in,” she said. “We want to keep opening pathways to a UWinnipeg education, as well strengthen existing ones.”

Dr. Trimbee emphasized the importance of proper metrics in measuring success, and pointed to several figures throughout the address to highlight growth in each area. Among them included:

  • UWinnipeg’s student population in 2017 was made up of 10% Indigenous students (up from 8% in 2013) and 7.5% international students (up from 5.5% in 2013).
  • 92% of students are satisfied with their decision to attend UWinnipeg according to the Canadian University Survey Consortium.
  • Graduates are earning nearly $46,000 on average, and two thirds are leaving the University with no debt.
  • UWinnipeg had record external research funding in 2017 at over $8 million, and saw overall research funding increase 31% from 2014.
  • UWinnipeg’s administration costs are among the lowest in the country at 4.3% of its total budget, making it one of the most efficient Canadian universities according to the Canadian Association of University Business Officers.
  • This year’s budget includes an additional $200,000 in financial assistance for students (up 16.5% from 2017, and 32% from 2016).

Key accomplishments from the past year were highlighted, including the creation of graduate programs in business management and criminal justice, and new partnerships with the Canadian Museum for Human Rights and the Manitoba Metis Federation.

Dr. Trimbee also announced the year ahead would see work begin on three fundraising campaigns focused on improvements to the Opportunity Fund, new academic chairs, and renovations to Sparling Hall, Centennial Hall, and the Library.

View the State of the University Address, a transcript of the address, and the President’s Report to The University of Winnipeg Board of Regents.