Abdelouahab Mekki Berrada

The Board meeting addressed several key administrative and strategic items. The President provided updates regarding changes in committee chairs, the departure of a board member, and the introduction of new board members. The Rector reported on provincial legislation concerning medical services, investments in the Observatory on Quebec's Constitutional Issues, engagements with French partner institutions including INSA de Lyon and Université Grenoble Alpes, the launch of the Centraide 2025 campaign, significant research funding received from the Canada Foundation for Innovation and Brain Canada, an award received by the EMiliA project team, high Bar exam success rates, the inauguration of an active study room, and success at the Gala Force Avenir 2025. Strategic discussions included a presentation on the strategy for partnership research chairs, highlighting structures like CIRIF, FRQ-STIMULES, and NSERC-RSRI Chairs, and noting challenges such as recruiting international graduate students. The Finance and Audit Committee reported on the previous meeting and addressed the approval of the 2024-2025 Financial Information System for Universities (SIFU) report, required by the Ministry of Higher Education. The Committee also provided an information report on Responsible Procurement for 2024-2025. The Human Resources Committee reported on its previous meeting and addressed the attestation regarding the remuneration framework for senior management and the adoption of principles guiding collective agreement negotiations for 2025-2030. Additionally, the Board approved the principle agreement for the extension of the collective agreement for the Support Staff Union (SEESUS) for two years. The Governance of Information Resources Committee reported on its activities. The Board also elected Monique Leroux for a third one-year term as Chair. Information was presented on the 2026-2030 Integrated Risk Management review. Approvals included an affiliation contract with the National Institute of Public Health of Quebec and a service agreement for supporting the pedagogical use of digital technology. The Board also celebrated the success of the BardXpert project, which won the Project of Excellence award at the Gala Force Avenir 2025. A research contract with Sanofi-Aventis Canada Inc. was approved, and the 2024-2025 annual report for the Quantum Institute (IQ) was received.

The board meeting covered various topics, including discussions on the revision of the funding formula for Quebec universities and changes to tuition fees for students from other Canadian provinces. Updates were provided on financing activities for the Grande Campagne de La Fondation de l'Université de Sherbrooke, a recent cyber event, and the university's ranking in Research InfoSource's annual compilation of Canadian research universities. The board also discussed the budget revision for 2023-2024, the SIFU report for 2022-2023, and the maintenance of charitable organization status with the United States Tax Ministry. Additionally, there were discussions on the Longueuil campus, real estate acquisitions, and modifications to the 2023-2026 real estate master plan. The meeting also included updates on the Véo project, nominations for various positions, and a delegation of power for projects in information resources.

The meeting covered a range of topics, including updates from the President and Rector, discussions on infrastructure needs and budget requests, and a mission to Morocco to explore potential partnerships. The council also addressed the renewal of the Innovation, Partnership, Entrepreneurship agreement with the City of Sherbrooke, the launch of a research center in entrepreneurship, and the recognition of 2025 as the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology. Additionally, the council discussed financial results, budget orientations, real estate planning, IT resources, and media strategies, as well as the nomination of a dean for the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences and the appointment of a chair for the Retirement Committee.

The meeting covered topics such as the cyber event at the end of 2023, the winter intake of students, the success of the January 10, 2024 Bazaar, the progress of the 2022-2028 Choisir de changer l'avenir campaign, the acquisition of land near the main campus, and the university's ranking in the GreenMetric international ranking. They also discussed the agenda of the Governance and Ethics Committee meeting on January 29, 2024, the agenda of the Finance and Audit Committee meeting on February 1, 2024, the financial results for the quarter ending December 31, 2023, and the nomination of an external auditor for the 2024-2025 financial year. Additional topics included the CMC Microsystems project, the nomination of members to various committees, the acquisition of IT services for the M365 environment, the Véo project, the use of generative artificial intelligence systems in higher education, services for student life, and the cybersecurity event.

The meeting covered a range of topics including updates from the President and Rector, discussions on collaborations with French institutions, and the official signing of an agreement between UdeS and CNRS for the launch of the International Research Center (IRC) Innovation for a Sustainable Planet. Discussions also focused on the new university funding formula, the importance of a coordinated approach to international student quotas, and significant investments in research and the semiconductor industry. Additionally, the council discussed the budget for 2024-2025, authorized a temporary borrowing level, ratified the acquisition of equipment for the ImagingT2D project, renewed a protocol with Orford Musique, approved the establishment of an NC3 laboratory, and addressed IT risk management. Nominations were made for various positions including Dean of the Faculty of Science and Directors for the Service of Support for Research, Innovation and Creation, and the Service of Sports and Physical Activity.