Press Release
Saturday, January 27, 2024
Highlights of the January 27 Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Université de Moncton
Name of the Université de Moncton
A study is underway to update the Université de Moncton's toponymic policy based on best practices in Canada. A working group will be formed to develop strategies and tools to contextualize the origin of the name on the three campuses of the university. These steps were taken following a proposal adopted at the last Board of Governors meeting on December 9, 2023, and the decision to not extend the reflection process or change the name of the Université de Moncton.
"The members of the Board of Governors of the Université are aware of the history of the Acadian people and have Acadie and the future of one of our flagship institutions at heart. The board, which includes members of the university and civic communities on our three campuses, alumni, and the provincial and national Francophonie, made this decision and reiterated it unanimously Saturday, in the best interests of our institution and its vitality," explained Denis Mallet, Chair of the Board of Governors. “As part of a strategic planning process, the institution launched its most extensive public consultation. It involved almost 2,500 people, was conducted over a period of 18 months, and showed that a name change was not a priority. The Université de Moncton must transform itself to meet the new challenges of an increasingly competitive higher education marketplace. Together, let's invest in our future generations, in the modernization of our institution, and in the vitality of the Université de Moncton campus network."
At Saturday's meeting, board members reviewed a letter sent on December 18 by the citizens' committee on the university's name. Noting that there had been no new elements regarding the name of the university since its last meeting, the board reaffirmed its decision not to extend the process of reflection and not to change the name of the Université de Moncton.
Cap on the Number of International Students Accepted in Canada
Members of the board of governors were briefed on the issue of the cap on the number of international students accepted in Canada during the presentation of the report by Dr. Denis Prud'homme, President and Vice-Chancellor.
"It is important to reiterate the unique Francophone and Acadian character of the Université de Moncton, and we ask the federal government to reconsider this measure. Based on our discussions this week, we are relieved that the federal government has listened to our concerns and is committed to respecting the interests of Francophone universities. However, we remain concerned that implementing this measure at this time of year, during a recruitment cycle, will slow down applications and offers of admission for the September 2024 academic year," explained Dr. Prud'homme.
Despite this openness, it is still difficult to gauge what impact a cap on the number of international students accepted into Canada will have on the vitality of French-speaking universities outside Quebec.
The Université de Moncton currently has 35% international students on its three campuses.
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