Deep Saini named next vice-chancellor of University of Canberra

Professor Deep Saini, vice-president of the University of Toronto and principal of U of T Mississauga, has been named the next vice-chancellor (president) of the University of Canberra in Australia.  

Saini will begin his new duties Sept. 1, succeeding Stephen Parker, who has been in the post since 2007.  

“Professor Saini leaves UTM with a remarkable record of accomplishment,” said U of T President Meric Gertler. “His leadership over a period of continued rapid growth has placed UTM in an increasingly strong position as a vibrant hub of innovation and higher education in the western GTA and well beyond.

“On behalf of the entire University of Toronto, I thank him for his great work and I wish him well in his very exciting new position.”

During Saini’s tenure, UTM has grown substantially. He has overseen the opening of the Instructional Centre and Innovation Complex as well as the completion of the Terrence Donnelly Health Sciences Complex. A phased reconstruction is underway on the campus’ original North Building with Deerfield Hall opening in 2014, and now construction of the second phase, a separate building focused on academic and student space, is scheduled to begin later this month. During his time as vice-president and principal, UTM established the Institute for Management & Innovation, a new sector-specific model of business school, and the Centre for South Asian Civilizations. Saini has also overseen the transition of the campus’ governance structure to a new tri-campus council model.  

“I’m so proud of the fine faculty, students and staff we have at UTM,” said Saini. “The many accomplishments of the last several years were made possible by their dedication and commitment to excellence. I know UTM will continue to grow and thrive well into the future and will continue to make a significant impact not only on Mississauga but on the entire region.” 

For Saini, this is not the first time his career path has taken him to Australia. After completing his undergraduate and master’s degrees at the Punjab Agricultural University in Ludhiana, India, he earned a doctorate in plant physiology from the University of Adelaide. He began his Canadian academic career at the University of Alberta as a post-doctoral fellow, then joined the Université de Montréal where he served as director-general of the Plant Biology Research Institute. He then moved to the University of Waterloo as dean of the Faculty of Environment.  

Saini assumed leadership of the University of Toronto Mississauga in July, 2010.