From a farm in India to the agricultural corridor that is Lethbridge, the new president at the University of Lethbridge hopes for a term filled with innovation and inclusion.
With the university recently undergoing its largest administrative transition in over thirty years, which includes the new president, questions are being asked about the future of the school.
Dr. Digvir Jayas is now the seventh president in the history of the university and he will also take on the role of vice-chancellor as the former vice-chancellor, Terry Whitehead, becomes chancellor.
Jayas was born and raised in India, earning a bachelor of agricultural engineering there before moving to western Canada. He began his employed postsecondary career at the University of Manitoba in 1985 and he remained there until this summer when he joined the team in Lethbridge.
This makes him a freshman in the eyes of Lethbridge, though Jayas says he is fully prepared to understand the culture and requirements of the community.
“There are a lot of things I still have to learn, both about the university and the community,” said Jayas in a phone interview in July. “I certainly am committed to doing that.”
This commitment to understanding Lethbridge extends well beyond the university walls, as indicated by Jayas, but it will still shape what happens inside the walls of the school.
He says his personal history and knowledge about the agriculture industry will mesh well with the commercial needs from businesses in the region.
“Lethbridge, and southern Alberta, are really a premium corridor for agri-food,” said Jayas. “Both production and processing.”
This, Jayas hopes, will lead to new and exciting studies at the university which will result in innumerable benefits for the province.
“We will look at the opportunities where the university can make a difference and contribute to both Alberta community and Alberta economy,” said Jayas.
He says some of these opportunities could potentially come from new programs introduced to the university.
“Look at new programs, maybe in science-based agriculture, look at an engineering program which is for agri-food processing, as well as environmental sustainability,” said Jayas.
However, all this talk about the agriculture industry will not distract Jayas too much, as he says he is focused on everything the university has to offer. Indeed, he says the liberal education ethos from the university is one of its primary attractions for both students, faculty and even himself.
“Liberal education really provides students the opportunity to develop the transferable skills they need to go to the workforce,” said Jayas.
Even though his views line up with the status quo at times, it is doubtless that changes are coming to the university beyond the academic field under Jayas, as he is seeking a more inclusive and positive experience for staff and students alike. Recent years have seen some trouble for the university community with the pandemic, strike and budget cuts all causing a scene for the school, even if the light is appearing at the end of the tunnel.
However, Jayas says he will listen to the problems of those around him and begin finding solutions as needed.
“I’m getting that there’s optimism,” said Jayas. “As a new president I am certainly committed to engaging internal community, understanding their concerns and if there are things that we can change I (would) certainly like to change to make it a very welcoming place.”
He says some such changes include expanding supports for students who belong to a wide variety of groups, whether they are international or local students.
“We need to structure our support mechanisms so that everybody feels, that when they come to the university, they see themselves and they feel welcome and respected,” said Jayas.
The new president officially took office on July 1, leaving him with a short summer to acclimatize himself to the new school and prepare for the fall term.
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