University of Lethbridge President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Digvir Jayas is welcomed at the Science Commons building, February 7, 2023. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

New University of Lethbridge President and Vice-Chancellor welcomed

Feb 7, 2023 | 4:38 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Dr. Digvir Jayas toured the University of Lethbridge (U of L) on Tuesday, February 7, 2023, in advance of assuming his upcoming role as President and Vice-Chancellor of the post-secondary institution.

Jayas was invited to a welcoming event at the U of L Science Commons building. He says he has not been to all of the buildings at the U of L yet, but he was impressed by the Science Commons facility.

“I think the University of Lethbridge has excellent facilities and Science Commons would meet the standards of any university you can think of. I certainly like the way the building has been designed,” says Jayas.

Dr. Jayas is currently the Vice President (Research and International) at the University of Manitoba, where he has served for the past 12 years. He is a former Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Stored-Grain Ecosystems, and he was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2018 for “his advancements to agricultural practices worldwide, and for his promotion of academic and scientific research in Canada.”

Jayas told media that, prior to applying for the job, he was not overly familiar with the U of L. When the U of L’s search committee reached out to him, he says he spent as much time as he could learning about the university, the city, and the region.

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“The more I read about [the U of L], and especially the university’s committment to the kind of things which I have been doing throughout my career, I thought that if the committee felt that I was the right person, and I [brought] these strengths in the areas the university wants to go, and I can contribute significantly, that made me decide to submit the application,” says Jayas.

Jayas says he does not want to set too many goals for the university now, as he plans to meet with faculty, students, industry leaders, and the public to come up with a community-led vision.

He did, however, state that he wants to partner with Lethbridge College on the creation of more joint programs. Jayas also plans to work on developing an engineering program at the U of L.

U of L Board of Governors Chair Dean Gallimore says there was a “deep pool” of candidates looking to replace outgoing President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Mike Mahon; many of whom he felt would have done a great job.

Gallimore says there were a few qualities about Jayas that made him and the rest of the search committee feel that he was the best person to take the helm of the university.

“The research that he’s done in the past directly ties to southern Alberta,” says Gallimore, “I mean, his area of research was in agriculture — he’s an agricultural engineer. More importantly, he is a tremendous individual. He was in the Order of Canada. I mean, that’s not something that comes easily. That’s a testament to his character.”

Jayas’ first day on the job will be July 1, 2023. In the months leading up to that time, Jayas says he plans to meet with the U of L’s transition team, including Mahon.

Dr. Jayas will be officially sworn in to the position during the fall 2023 convocation ceremony at the U of L.

READ MORE: Dr. Digvir Jayas named University of Lethbridge President and Vice-Chancellor

Dr. Digvir Jayas will start his new role as the U of L’s new President and Vice-Chancellor on July 1, 2023. (Photo: University of Lethbridge)