Annual General Meeting

ACCRU 2025 AGM

The Alliance of Canadian Comprehensive Research Universities convened its 2025 Annual General Meeting on May 26–27 in Ottawa, welcoming representatives from universities across Canada. The two-day event brought together academic leaders, researchers, and students for in-depth presentations, strategic discussions, and community-building — all in support of advancing the Alliance’s mission.

Keynote presentations included:

• Alain Gagnon, President of the Royal Society of Canada, who spoke on Inclusive Excellence: Why, How, and To What End? His address explored the role of equity and diversity in the research ecosystem, emphasizing practical approaches to embedding inclusive practices across institutions.
• Dr. Joanna Ochocka, Board Co-Chair and Executive Director of Community-Based Research Canada, whose presentation, Championing Community–Campus Research Partnerships for Societal Impact, introduced the work of Community-Based Research Canada (CBRC), explored the foundations of community-based research, and highlighted national initiatives driving meaningful collaboration between academic institutions and communities.
• Annie Barrette, Director of Policy and External Relations at Universities Canada, presented on The Evolving Federal Policy Landscape for International Student Programs. This session addressed key policy shifts affecting Canadian universities, including their implications for international enrolment and institutional planning. The presentation was followed by an engaging Q&A session with ACCRU’s student ambassadors, offering an opportunity for direct dialogue on how these federal decisions impact students’ experiences and university operations.

Additional sessions led by ACCRU members and student ambassadors focused on pressing research and institutional priorities:

• Setting Research Budget Priorities under Financial Constraints, presented by Dr. Craig Kuziemski, Associate Vice-President Research, MacEwan University, Dr. Sola Fasunwon, Director of Research and Innovation Services, University of Lethbridge, and Dr. Carla Craveiro Salvado, Associate Vice-President, Research and Innovation, Concordia University of Edmonton, offered strategies for navigating funding limitations while continuing to support impactful research.
• Supporting Indigenous Research, led by Dr. Connie Van Der Byl, Associate Vice-President Research, Scholarship and Community Engagement, Mount Royal University, Dr. Bronwyn Hancock, Vice-provost Academic and Research, Yukon University, and Dr. Deepak Gupta, Associate Vice-President Research and Innovation, Kwantlen Polytechnic University, underscored the importance of Indigenous leadership in research and discussed pathways for institutions to provide sustained and respectful support.
• Impact of the Reduction in the Number of International Students, presented by four ACCRU student ambassadors; Sarfaroz Yanusof, Sandy Abdo, Chimerem Amiaka, Harleen Kaur Kalra, provided an on-the-ground perspective of recent enrolment changes and their broader effects. The session was followed by a panel discussion to further explore policy, economic, and academic implications.

These presentations reflected the Alliance’s ongoing commitment to collaborative, responsive, and socially engaged research practices that address both national challenges and local community needs.

The AGM also provided space for organizational updates, dialogue among members, and planning for the year ahead.