The Office of the Vice-Dean, Academics, worked on many files over the past year. We had major achievements in various areas.

Student records 

Requests and appeals from our students increased from 152 in 2023–2024 to 191 in 2024–2025. However, fraud allegations declined by 63% (from 44 cases last year to 28 this year). Our team also focused on updating all message templates, as well as procedural documents, to ensure accurate information and facilitate processes.

Over the past year, the Committee on Academic Progress and Integrity (CAPI) used the sanction guidelines to formulate its recommendations to the Faculty Executive Committee (FEC) in cases of academic misconduct. This has furthered more consistent analysis of files, while taking into account individuals’ unique situations. The current guidelines only apply to first infractions. However, the CAPI is working to include repeat infractions.

Graduate studies 

Two of our graduate students were uOGRADflix 2025 winners. Maria Ibrahim (Interdisciplinary School of Health Sciences) finished first, while Julie Gagnon (School of Nursing) took second place. It should also be mentioned that over 40 doctoral students defended their theses, the majority choosing a bimodal defence.

Personalized learning through a self-directed course

This summer, for the first time, an optional self-directed experiential learning elective in the Honours Bachelor of Health Sciences, SSP 3900, is being offered. The new course is a model of individualized education. Customized, it allows students to design and guide their learning experience in terms of their fields of interest and career goals. For more information, discover the new self-directed courses.

Over the past year, the Office of the Vice-Dean, Governance, has undertaken a range of initiatives to enhance governance, Faculty engagement and institutional processes.

The year has also been marked by a reorganization of the academic portfolio, which will now be managed by two vice-dean positions, academic and student affairs. This structure will reinforce leadership capacity, further process sustainability and optimize governance mechanisms. We have also led efforts to refine the honorary doctorate selection procedure, strengthening its alignment with Faculty objectives and recognition protocols.

Recognizing the need for procedural and governance support to the Schools, we have held informal meetings with School directors to foster discussion on shared concerns and strengthen collaboration across academic units. Ongoing labour relations support for the dean and Schools, through interpreting the collective agreements, developing procedures and facilitating issue resolution, has helped maintain a collaborative, productive workplace.

Supporting new professors has remained a priority, with a comprehensive orientation program designed to familiarize our new colleagues with University procedures, policies and expectations. We continue to manage the Faculty’s awards process, contributing to our culture of recognition and engagement through streamlined nomination and selection procedures.

Equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) initiatives have been a key focus, notably through the Allies for Change series. Initiatives included speaker events in recognition of Black History Month and efforts to improve the inclusivity and accessibility of University spaces. Our series has also showcased recent Faculty graduates’ theses topics related to Black health, the Francophonie and sexual diversity.