I am delighted to present the Université de Moncton’s Annual
Report for 2012-2013, an important year that marks the
50
th
anniversary of the institution. This document highlights
the activities that occurred during this period, which extends
until the end of June 2013.
2013 was a memorable year for the Université de Moncton.
During the past ten months, we have celebrated in different
ways the many achievements of the only French-language
university in New Brunswick. From 1963 to 2013, our great
learning institution carved out an increasingly enviable niche
amongst post-secondary institutions in Canada. During
the June 19 festivities, I recounted the giant steps taken by
the Université de Moncton over the years. I will repeat these
milestones here to promote a better understanding of the
institution’s journey.
After having been resolutely administered by religious orders,
in 1963, post-secondary education in the French language was
taken over by the New Brunswick government. This assuming
of responsibility was accompanied, not without struggle, by
adequate funding for the smooth operation of the institution.
With the support of the Acadian and francophone community,
the Université then expanded with the establishment of three
campuses located in the province’s three major francophone
areas. Programs specific to the campuses were later introduced,
forestry in Edmundston and coastal zones study in Shippagan.
These programs stimulated research in these sectors.
At the Moncton campus, the law faculty was established and
very recently, medical training was introduced in cooperation
with the Université de Sherbrooke. These represent major
developments; had they not been achieved, we would be
lagging behind the rest of the country.
I would also like to recall that the Université de Moncton has
enabled many, many Acadians to launch successful careers,
in fields such as the arts, administration, university education
and research and the public school system, to name but
a few. Without a French-language university in their own
community, most of these Acadians would have established
roots elsewhere.
The Université de Moncton is now destined to develop and
expand even more. Discussions being held here and there and
greater openness and transparency on the part of management
will enable us to go even further and begin the second half-
century of its existence with great enthusiasm. A large
number of international students now choose the Université
de Moncton which also offers a wealth of on-line courses.
In the past year, we launched a strategic planning process in
an effort to fortify our university after fifty years of existence.
Under the banner Strategic Planning 2020: Dare to Dream,
faculty, researchers, support staff, administrators and all
those involved in any way with the development of the
Université de Moncton have been invited to participate in the
planning process. With this exercise, our wish is to pursue
the further development of our three campuses.
In addition to reflecting on the major activities that marked
the 50
th
anniversary of the institution, this year’s annual
report features some of the achievements of faculty and
staff, as well as students who exemplify our institution’s
professionalism as well as its progress and its success.
I invite you to read this report to become better acquainted
with what is happening in the university community and
to continue to celebrate with us our journey of fifty years.
Raymond Théberge
M
ESSAGE
FROM THE
PRESIDENT AND VICE
-
CHANCELLOR
1
A
HALF
-
CENTURY
OF
SUCCESS
