Stoicheff selected to head Canada’s U15 group of universities

“I am proud to represent the University of Saskatchewan and honoured to have been selected to lead this influential group of top research universities in the country,” said Stoicheff, who has been involved with the U15 since being named president of USask seven years ago. “The U15 group of universities receives close to 80 per cent of all the federal university research funding allocated each year and conducts 83 per cent of contracted private-sector research in the country. We are committed to fostering the development and delivery of long-term, sustainable higher education and research policy and programs in Canada.”

Stoicheff follows University of British Columbia President Santa Ono, who begins his new position as president of the University of Michigan on October 13. Stoicheff was elected to serve as the new U15 chair of the board at its August 2022 Annual General Meeting in Toronto.

“We are delighted to have Dr. Stoicheff take on this role to lead the U15 group and we know he will provide excellent leadership for our members,” said Dr. Chad Gaffield, chief executive officer of the U15 group of Canadian research universities. “President Stoicheff and the University of Saskatchewan have long been strong supporters of the association and leaders in collaborative research. His appointment will ensure the continued development and delivery of sustainable higher education and research policy.”

USask is one of five Western Canadian universities in the U15 group, along with UBC, the University of Alberta, University of Calgary, and the University of Manitoba. Other U15 institutions include Dalhousie University, University of Laval, McGill University, McMaster University, University of Montreal, University of Ottawa, Queen’s University, University of Toronto, University of Waterloo, and Western University.

“From the challenge of climate change to water and food security, to vaccine research and pandemic preparation, the country’s U15 universities are leading research efforts that the world needs and the University of Saskatchewan is proud to be doing its part,” said Stoicheff. “The U15 universities share a commitment and a passion for research innovation and collaboration. We know that we are stronger together, as we strive to make a difference, in our communities, our country, and around the world.”

Beginning his eighth year as USask president and vice-chancellor, Stoicheff began his 36-year career at USask in 1986. After serving first as a professor and then dean of the College of Arts and Science, Stoicheff was appointed the 11th president of USask in 2015. He has helped lead the university’s development into one of Canada’s top research-intensive medical-doctoral universities, with global impact in water and food security, synchrotron science, medical imaging, pandemic research, and agricultural innovation.

Stoicheff has also helped drive USask’s mandate to be a leader in Indigenization and Reconciliation, increasing Indigenous student enrolment and support systems at USask, and enhancing and developing the university’s close connections with local and national Indigenous communities, governments, and organizations. Under his leadership, the university has created productive partnerships with world-leading institutions around the globe, bolstered by a commitment to internationalization, innovation, and collaboration.