TRU poised to become ‘Canada’s first truly modern university’

NEWS — Though it’s already 40 years old as an institution, Thompson Rivers University is poised to become a “modern” university, says president Dr. Alan Shaver.

In a lengthy verbal report to the TRU Senate this evening (Monday), Shaver described a draft document for the university’s strategic priorities. The draft plan will go to the TRU board of governors for input and then formal submission Feb. 14.

Shaver said the white paper sets priorities, with the first one being successful students. He said while many universities think of themselves as being comprehensive, there’s no such thing. He said they aren’t comprehensive in the sense of offering everything for everybody, but they can be comprehensive in what they are able to do to meet the needs of students who come to them.

The plan has been developed through an extensive consultation process with a wide variety of stakeholders, he said.

“It’s important to understand that we’re actually building Canada’s first truly modern university here.”

Shaver said TRU has tremendous diversity in its student population. “That diversity should be put to work. That diversity is a source of tremendous creativity.”

He said the strategic priorities also include building the “research capacity” of TRU, as well as “entrepreneurial capacity.”