UNews - Manju Jayas

Dr. Digvir Jayas installed as seventh ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge President & Vice-Chancellor

trevor.kenney — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 20:35:03 +0000

Dr. Digvir Jayas was installed as President and Vice-Chancellor of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge on October 13, 2023, opening a new era for southern Alberta’s university.

Jayas becomes the seventh president in ULethbridge’s 56-year history, and the installation ceremony was replete with all the pomp befitting such a significant occasion. The ceremony, presided over by Platform Marshal Dr. Sheila McManus, bear close resemblance to a convocation ceremony, complete with a full procession led by Chief Marshal Dr. Michelle Hogue (MEd '04) carrying the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ Mace.

Dr. Digvir Jayas, right, shakes hands with Board of Governors Chair Dean Gallimore after officially being installed as President & Vice-Chancellor. Chancellor Terry Whitehead looks on in the background.

Master of Science student Jemma Todoschuk opened the formal celebration with the reading of the invocation and was followed by the singing of the U of L Honour song by Dr. Leroy Little Bear (BA ’72, DASc ’04), Vice-Provost Iniskim Indigenous Relations. Representatives of government followed, with each of the federal, provincial and municipal arms offering greetings. Jayas was then welcomed by Dean Gallimore (BMgt ’84), Chair of the Board of Governors, Chancellor Terry Whitehead (BA ’94) and Alumni Association President Deirdre McKenna (BA ’94).

Post-secondary institutions across Canada also had a strong presence in the ceremony, including Lethbridge College President Brad Donaldson bringing greetings on behalf of colleges, and former ULethbridge professor and senior administrator, Dr. Lesley Brown, now President of Yukon ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ, who brought greetings on behalf of Canada’s universities.

Of the ceremony’s many highlights, a headdress transfer ceremony stood out as a seminal moment. Jayas, whose Blackfoot name Ikkayiinnii means “fast buffalo”, was captured by war veteran JR Fox in an intricate and personal ceremony that concluded with Elder Francis First Charger transferring the headdress first worn by President Emeritus Dr. Bill Cade (LLD ’12) to Jayas. Also involving Jayas’s family, the ceremony featured drumming and dancing in what was a visual and sensory feast for those in attendance.

Elder Francis First Charger adorns Dr. Digvir Jayas with a headdress following an elaborate transfer ceremony.

In his presidential address, Jayas paid tribute to the foundational builders of ULethbridge and the liberal education focus that has been a hallmark of the student experience since its inception in 1967. He also noted the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ’s commitment to a student-centred approach and the deep ties it has throughout the community, as evidenced by the many groups represented in the audience.

Jayas spoke to excellence and the collective achievements of ULethbridge researchers who have transformed the institution into one of the country’s leading research universities and the faculty, staff, students, alumni, donors and community supporters who have all played a role in that growth.

He then turned his eye to the future and a new strategic plan that will be crafted collaboratively.

“Building on our existing and emerging strengths, our strategic plan will move our university — and all of southern Alberta — forward, together,” he said. “Whether you work or study on campus, are an alumnus or a member of our external community, we encourage you to be involved in this process. Your insights are critical to developing a plan that will ensure our university and our region will succeed in the future.”

He concluded by reiterating his support for the liberal education ideals that have shaped ULethbridge over the years and challenged the audience to think about how those ideals translate to the next generation of learners.

Dr. Digvir Jayas with his wife Manju and their three sons (from left) Ravi, Rajat and Rahul.

“I promise you that I will always support and promote the value of a liberal education. As a university, we need to look at what it means to obtain a liberal education experience,” he said. “How do we incorporate content such as internationalization, work-integrated learning, Indigenous knowledge and perspectives, and broad interdisciplinary exposure as part of a liberal education, so that our students feel confident, have valuable critical thinking skills, can work effectively in teams, and feel empowered to tackle the difficult problems facing society?

He then cast his eyes to the future and a collaborative approach he sees as setting the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ up for its next great era of success.

“Our focus at ULethbridge is to transform the lives of our students and we can all contribute to that based on our abilities and roles. We bring different perspectives to decision making — and these diverse perspectives result in better decisions for all,” said Jayas. “Our university has accomplished so much over its first 56 years, and the social, cultural and economic well-being of southern Alberta is closely linked to that success. To continue to achieve, it will take all of us working together to realize our shared vision — and I can’t wait to begin.”

Dr. Digvir S. Jayas named as seventh ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge president and vice-chancellor

trevor.kenney — Thu, 19 Jan 2023 16:19:42 +0000

Dr. Digvir S. Jayas, an internationally renowned agricultural engineering researcher, decorated professor and experienced academic leader, has been chosen as the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge’s seventh president & vice-chancellor. Dr. Jayas will assume his new role on July 1, 2023.

Dr. Digvir S. Jayas, incoming ULethbridge president and vice-chancellor.

Jayas comes to ULethbridge from the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Manitoba where he most recently was vice-president (research and international) for the previous 13-plus years. An accomplished researcher, Jayas is a former Tier I Canada Research Chair in Stored-Grain Ecosystems, a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, and in 2018 was appointed an Officer of the Order of Canada for “his advancements to agricultural practices worldwide, and for his promotion of academic and scientific research in Canada.”

ULethbridge Board of Governors Chair, Dean Gallimore (BMgt ’84), chaired the search committee for the new president, saying Jayas excelled in all the areas the group identified as priorities.

“Throughout this process it became readily apparent that Dr. Jayas is an outstanding relationship builder who has an innate ability to bring people together, whether it be as a professor, researcher or administrator,” says Gallimore. “That he also conducts a research program of vital importance to the southern Alberta region and has continually gravitated to leadership roles within a comprehensive research university as well as external national agencies made him the ideal person to be at the forefront of the next era of the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge.”

Jayas conducts research related to the drying, handling and storing of grains and oilseeds and digital image processing for grading and processing operations in the agri-food industry. He sees his background aligning with the strategic directives of ULethbridge.

“Firstly, when I look at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge, I see values that align with my values. This is a place that is committed to liberal education, committed to creating a respectful work environment for students, faculty and staff, and committed to the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion,” says Jayas. “I also see a desire to continue to grow research and further impact society through this valuable work, enhancing opportunities for researchers and the undergraduate and graduate students they mentor.”

Born in India, Jayas earned a Bachelor of Agricultural Engineering at G.B. Pant ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Agriculture and Technology in Pantnagar, India. He came to Canada for his graduate schooling, first at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Manitoba (master of science, agricultural engineering) and then the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Saskatchewan (doctorate in agricultural engineering). He began his professional academic career at the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ of Manitoba as an assistant professor in the Agricultural Engineering Department in 1985.

As his career progressed, his reputation as an influential researcher and leading voice in agrology grew. He collaborated with researchers in several countries and has had significant impact on the development of efficient grain storage, handling and drying systems in Canada, China, India, Ukraine and the United States. He has authored or co-authored over 1,000 technical articles in scientific journals, conference proceedings, and books dealing with issues of storing, drying, handling and quality monitoring of grains and foods.

All the while, Jayas says he is guided by the simple principles imparted by his grandparents while growing up in India.

“I grew up on a farm and spent a lot of time with my grandparents. My grandfather instilled in me a strong work ethic and a desire to serve my community,” says Jayas. “Growing up on a farm, I learned of the issues farmers were facing so I wanted to work in an area where I could help solve some of those problems. My research has always been driven from the user perspective, the impact my work would have on the users of the results.”

Jayas and his wife Manju have been married for 40 years and have three sons and five grandchildren, all living in Winnipeg. He says he’s looking forward to connecting with the southern Alberta community upon his arrival in Lethbridge.

“Coming from a small town and a farming background, I’m really interested in coming to southern Alberta and an agricultural community,” he says. “I want to engage with the local community and continue to build the strong relationship the ��Ѹ��Դ��߿�Ƭ has within southern Alberta. When our students come to university, through their education their lives are transformed, and they become global citizens and contributors to the betterment of society. That is something I am excited to be a part of and something the entire community can take pride in.”

The presidential search committee consisted of representatives from the Board of Governors, administrators, faculty and students. Jayas follows the tenure of Dr. Mike Mahon, who has served as president and vice-chancellor since 2010. A community welcome event for Jayas will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. in the Science Commons Atrium. The official presidential installation will take place as part of the Fall 2023 convocation celebrations in October.

NOTE: Phonetic pronunciation of Dr. Digvir Jayas is DIG-veer JA-yes

UNews - Manju Jayas

Dr. Digvir Jayas installed as seventh ��Ѹ�����Դ���߿�Ƭ of Lethbridge President & Vice-Chancellor

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