Dear members of the 鶹ýվ Community,
It is our pleasure to provide you with an update on the recent activities of 鶹ýվ’s Board of Governors. You can learn more about the Board’s mandate and membership on its
The Board of Governors held the second regular meeting on February 19, 2026. The full minutes of the meeting’s open session will be available following approval at the Board’s next meeting on April 23, 2026. In the meantime, we would like to share with you the meeting’s important discussions, decisions, and developments.
Thank you for your interest in the work of the Board of Governors. If you have any questions, ideas, or comments, please write to mcgill.president [at] mcgill.ca (mcgill[dot]president[at]mcgill[dot]ca).
Sincerely,
Deep Saini, President and Vice-Chancellor
Maryse Bertrand, Chair, 鶹ýվ Board of Governors
Key Updates
The Board of Governors, on the recommendation of the Finance and Infrastructure Committee, endorsed the IT Strategic Plan 2025-2028, with the understanding that each IT project that emanates from the Plan will be considered for approval in accordance with the University’s policies and governance processes.
The Plan sets out a roadmap to modernize 鶹ýվ’s IT operating model in support of academic excellence, research innovation, and operational efficiency. It focuses on modernizing 鶹ýվ’s core digital platforms (e.g., Banner), strengthening cybersecurity through enhanced risk-based governance and monitoring, as well as cultivating a data culture and enabling responsible AI through policy, literacy, and infrastructure.
Also from the Finance and Infrastructure Committee, the Board received an update on Horizon 鶹ýվ initiatives, including the launch of Workday Expense, a travel and expense management system that replaces the former Minerva process and is expected to streamline how staff submit, manage, and approve travel and expense claims.
From the Audit & Risk Committee, the Board was informed that the Committee had approved the External Audit Plan for the year ending April 30, 2026, as presented by Deloitte, LLP, and had endorsed the Internal Audit Strategic Plan (2026–2029), which sets out a three-year roadmap that aligns audit activities with institutional priorities and emerging risks.
The Board also received an update on cybersecurity matters, including an overview of 鶹ýվ’s evolving cyber threat environment and on-going efforts to strengthen risk mitigation and safeguard institutional systems and data.
The Board of Governors was also apprised of the Joint Board–Senate Working Group on Board–Senate Cohesion, which was established following the November 2025 joint meeting of the two bodies. The Working Group is developing a survey to assess the current state of collaboration, communication, and mutual understanding between the Board and Senate, with a view of bringing forward recommendations to further strengthen shared governance at 鶹ýվ.
The Board received the following presentations:
- The University Advancement Annual Report, presented by Marc Weinstein, Vice-President (University Advancement), which provides an overview of UA’s FY25 financial achievements and campaign extension, as well as information on transformative gifts, donor impact, alumni activities, volunteer engagement, and communications in 2024-2025.
- An overview of 鶹ýվ Libraries, including the Libraries’ Strategic Priorities (2025-2030) and recent Golden Ink exhibition, presented by Professor Guylaine Beaudry, Trenholme Dean of Libraries.
President’s Remarks
President Deep Saini provided the following updates pertaining to a range of recent developments from across 鶹ýվ.
Government Relations
The President began by noting recent political developments in Québec following Premier François Legault’s resignation in early January. A leadership race within the Coalition Avenir Québec is underway, with Ministers Christine Fréchette and Bernard Drainville as the main contenders; a new leader is expected to be selected on April 12. The University is monitoring developments and will assess any potential implications for 鶹ýվ as the government’s direction becomes clearer.
He also addressed Bill 1 (Loi constitutionnelle de 2025 sur le Québec) and Bill 9 (Loi sur le renforcement de la laïcité au Québec). Bill 1 proposes constitutional changes that could strengthen parliamentary sovereignty and limit judicial review. Through the Bureau de coopération interuniversitaire (BCI), Québec’s universities have jointly raised concerns about the potential impact on institutional autonomy. Bill 9 would expand the application of secularism rules across public institutions, with some broadly drafted provisions creating uncertainty for universities. The President reaffirmed that academic freedom and institutional autonomy must remain protected.
At the federal level, the President highlighted the launch of the $1.7 billion Canada Impact+ Research Chairs program and noted that recruitment efforts are underway for a first intake this fall. He also referenced Canada’s new Defence Industrial Strategy, emphasizing the federal government’s recognition of research-intensive universities as key partners in advancing national security and economic sovereignty. 鶹ýվ is prepared to contribute to efforts aimed at ensuring that Canadian research excellence generates long-term impact for the country.
The President reported on a recent visit by the Honourable Julie Dabrusin, Minister for the Environment and Climate Change, to view the progress underway at the 鶹ýվ Sustainability Park site, including its 171 geothermal wells. The visit comprises broader advocacy efforts for the project at the federal level.
The President also shared that he has joined Mayor Martinez Ferrada’s newly formed Table des partenaires sur le rayonnement et l’attractivité de Montréal, which brings together key institutions to strengthen Montréal’s international profile — an initiative aligned with 鶹ýվ’s strengths as a world-class university and its “Engage Locally” strategic priority.
In this context, President Saini also noted that he will deliver an address to Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montréal on February 25, focusing on 鶹ýվ’s role as a locally anchored, globally connected partner to the city's business community.
International Relations
On the international front, the President reported on a recent 13-day mission to India and the United Arab Emirates. In India, he met with partners in Delhi and Chandigarh to advance collaborations across multiple sectors and later participated in Universities Canada’s India mission in Goa, including the QS India Summit. The visit coincided with a broader series of Canadian engagements with India, including a visit by Prime Minister Carney in late-February focusing on trade.
In the United Arab Emirates, the President attended the World Governments Summit in Dubai, where 鶹ýվ signed a memorandum of understanding with the Khalifa Foundation to establish the UAE–Indonesia Future Leaders Program, supported by a $17.5 million donation. The initiative builds on longstanding partnerships in the region and will advance collaboration in priority areas including sustainability, engineering, health and teacher education.
Selected Kudos
Finally, the President concluded by highlighting a selection of outstanding recent achievements from across the 鶹ýվ community.
- 鶹ýվ ranked among Canada’s top three universities in 10 of 11 subjects in the 2026 Times Higher Education World University Rankings by Subject.
- 鶹ýվ student Jasmine Zhao is the recipient of the prestigious Schwarzman Scholarship.
- Professors Siva Reddy and Katelin Schutz were named 2026 Sloan Research Fellows, a distinction awarded to outstanding early-career researchers.
- More than two dozen 鶹ýվ community members served in official roles at the Milano–Cortina Winter Olympic Games, including athletes Lilah Fear and Kayla Tutino.
- Under the leadership of Professors Viviane Yargeau and Christopher Manfredi, the 鶹ýվ community raised $402,000 for Centraide of Greater Montreal, surpassing its campaign goal.
Reports and Presentations
The Board of Governors received the following reports: