UOIT president, Dr. Ronald Bordessa, announces he will retire after next academic year
June 7, 2010
Dr. Bordessa will continue as president for one more year
OSHAWA, ON. - Dr. Ronald Bordessa, president and vice-chancellor of the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) has advised the Board of Governors that he plans to retire from the presidency at the conclusion of his current contract in June 2011.
"We are extremely grateful to President Bordessa for his transformational leadership and confident that he has positioned our new university well for the decades ahead," said Board Chair Peter Williams. "President Bordessa is an inspirational, highly respected leader and his contributions are many, perhaps most significant is his vision and commitment to strengthen the socio-economic infrastructure of our community by establishing such a strong presence in downtown Oshawa."
President Bordessa will continue to lead the university for another year until he retires in June 2011. During that time Dr. Bordessa will preside over the opening of the General Motors of Canada Automotive Centre of Excellence (ACE), the Clean Energy Research Lab, the move of the Faculty of Social Science and Humanities and more than 1,000 students, faculty and staff to downtown Oshawa and the opening of the Energy Research Centre next spring. Each of these significant milestones bears the mark of his stellar leadership and will serve to enhance his legacy.
"Dr. Bordessa is a big picture thinker. He looks ten to twenty years ahead as he so eloquently describes a vision for UOIT that will see it double its enrolment and size by 2020," said UOIT's chancellor, the Honourable Perrin Beatty. "He will not be easy to replace. However, he has laid a solid foundation for his successor and I am confident that our board, faculty and staff will find the right person to move the university ahead."
The Board of Governors will immediately initiate a comprehensive search process that will engage stakeholders to ensure an exceptional leader is hired.
"I have been honoured to lead UOIT as its president during its formative and challenging years, to help realize the dreams of its founders, and lay the foundation for its continuous contribution to the revitalization and increasing prosperity of Durham Region and our province," said Dr. Bordessa. "The nature and magnitude of our growth has been far greater than I ever anticipated when I assumed the presidency four years ago. This would not have been possible without the significant contribution of the people I have had the pleasure to work with during my tenure. I look forward to continuing to lead UOIT and adding to its list of outstanding accomplishments in the coming year. I will leave next June with mixed emotions, having enjoyed five tremendous years here."
About UOIT
As an innovative university, UOIT delivers a leading-edge learning environment that uniquely combines academic knowledge, research opportunities, hands-on skills and a vibrant student life. UOIT's more than 6,500 undergraduate and graduate students are taught by professors who are experts in their fields from around the world. As Ontario's first laptop-based university, the university offers a diverse array of challenging undergraduate and graduate degree programs through its faculties of Business and Information Technology; Criminology, Justice and Policy Studies; Education; Energy Systems and Nuclear Science; Engineering and Applied Science; Health Sciences; and Science. UOIT's commitment to research excellence has resulted in millions of dollars in grants and awards, including six Canada Research Chairs. To find out more, visit www.uoit.ca or call 905.721.8668.
About Ontario Tech University
A modern, forwarding-thinking university, Ontario Tech advances the discovery and application of knowledge to accelerate economic growth, regional development and social innovation. We inspire and equip our students and our graduates to make a positive impact in a tech-focused world. For us, it’s not only about developing the next tech breakthrough. Understanding and integrating the social and ethical implications of technology differentiates us as university. Learn more at ontariotechu.ca.
Media contact
Lisa Banks
Communications and Marketing
Ontario Tech University
905.721.8668 ext. 2072
289.404.6351
lisa.banks@uoit.ca
