Université De Sherbrooke

The strategic plan, titled IMPACTS 2030, is a collective roadmap for the Université de Sherbrooke spanning 2026 to 2030. Developed through extensive consultation, it defines a renewed mission centered on knowledge and skills acquisition via experiential learning, research, and creation for a sustainable society. The plan prioritizes eight key areas: well-being, student recruitment, training and success, research and innovation, artificial intelligence, efficient and responsible management, internationalization, and governmental relations. Its vision is to accelerate ecological and social transition, fostering a prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable society while addressing major societal transformations and budgetary constraints.

The board meeting focused on several key administrative and strategic decisions, including the nomination of new members to the finance and audit committee and the School of Management vice-dean. The board approved the closure of the Department of Entrepreneurship within the School of Management. Furthermore, the board adopted the university's 2026-2030 strategic plan, established budget orientations for 2026-2027, and authorized the 2026-2029 real estate master plan, including investment budgets and financial arrangements for the residences. Additional discussions covered the 2025 report of the information technology service, updates on institutional governance roles, the creation of a vice-rector associate position for artificial intelligence, and progress reports on various academic and research institutes.

The board discussed several items, including the conversion of a long-term loan with the Toronto-Dominion Bank, updates on the university's strategic plan, and progress reports from the university foundation. The meeting also addressed the 2026-2030 institutional risk management framework, information security mitigation plans, the implementation report for the smoke-free and cannabis policy, and the 2026-2029 information resources master plan, which included budget approvals for information technology investments. Additionally, the board reviewed reports on teaching quality recognition, health and safety in the workplace, and adopted the calendar for the 2026-2027 academic year.

The Board of Directors meeting addressed several significant items, including the adoption of the agenda and the minutes from the November 3, 2025 meeting. Key discussions involved updates from the President and Rector concerning federal governmental relations, including meetings with ministers regarding technology sovereignty and medical services funding; the importance of the integrated model between the University and CHUS; and various philanthropic achievements, such as a historic $1.5 million donation from the Engineering General Student Association for the Engineering Faculty expansion. Financial matters reviewed included the follow-up on the Development and Recovery Plan for 2025-2026, the 2025-2026 budget revision, and the submission of the Decennial Plan for University Investments 2026-2036. The Board authorized the request for a private security agency permit for the G sector residences and approved the project for maintaining and upgrading cultural facilities (Pavilion B3). Furthermore, the annual reports from the Internal Audit Office, the Human Resources Committee, the Information Resource Governance Committee, the Centre Compétences Recherche plus (CR+), the Centre de recherche sur le vieillissement (CdRV), the Institut de recherche sur le cancer de l'Université de Sherbrooke (IRCUS), and the Institut interdisciplinaire d'innovation technologique (3iT) were presented. Approvals were granted for modifications to the Pension Plan Financing Policy and the approval of the amended charter for the Internal Audit Office. Finally, appointments and ratifications were made to various committees and vice-decanat positions.

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.