Dr. Digvir Jayas has been named the U of L's new President & Vice-Chancellor. (Photo: University of Lethbridge)

By David Opinko

Dr. Digvir Jayas named University of Lethbridge President & Vice-Chancellor

Jan 19, 2023 | 1:41 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – A new person has been selected to lead the University of Lethbridge (U of L).

The school has announced that Dr. Digvir Jayas will begin his tenure as President and Vice-Chancellor on July 1, 2023.

He is currently the Vice-President (Research and International) at the University of Manitoba, where he has served for the past 12 years.

Jayas is a former Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Stored-Grain Ecosystems and was appointed to the Order of Canada in 2018 for “his advancements to agricultural practices worldwide, and for his promotion of academic and scientific research in Canada.”

He says he conducts research related to the drying, handling, and storing of grains and oilseeds for digital image processing, which is used for grading and processing operations in the agri-food industry.

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Jayas believes that his background aligns with the strategic directives of the U of L.

“When I look at the University of Lethbridge, I see values that align with my values. This is a place that is committed to liberal education, committed to creating a respectful work environment for students, faculty and staff, and committed to the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion,” says Jayas. “I also see a desire to continue to grow research and further impact society through this valuable work, enhancing opportunities for researchers and the undergraduate and graduate students they mentor.”

U of L Board of Governors Chair Dean Gallimore says Jayas excelled in all of the areas the search committee identified as priorities.

“Throughout this process, it became readily apparent that Dr. Jayas is an outstanding relationship builder who has an innate ability to bring people together, whether it be as a professor, researcher or administrator,” says Gallimore.

Gallimore continues, “That he also conducts a research program of vital importance to the southern Alberta region and has continually gravitated to leadership roles within a comprehensive research university as well as external national agencies made him the ideal person to be at the forefront of the next era of the University of Lethbridge.”

Jayas replaces Dr. Mike Mahon as President & Vice-Chancellor, who has been at the head of the university since 2010.

A community welcome event for Jayas will be held on Tuesday, February 7, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. in the U of L Science Commons Atrium.

The official presidential installation will take place as part of the Fall 2023 convocation celebrations in December.

READ MORE: University of Lethbridge named one of Canada’s top research universities