UTM principal gears up for classes
Orientation is in full swing and the new academic year is just around the corner at U of T Mississauga, and perhaps no one is more excited than Vice-President and Principal Ulrich Krull.
While Krull, a professor of analytical chemistry, has been a familiar face at UTM for many years, this is his first new academic year since he was appointed as vice-president and principal. And he is preparing to welcome more than 15,000 students to campus—the largest complement ever at U of T Mississauga.
Along with Convocation, Orientation and the start of classes are perhaps the most exciting time of the academic year, says Krull. “There’s a sense of opportunity and new beginnings, from both an academic perspective but also in terms of meeting friends and mentors that you may know for the rest of your life.”
A chemist and a judoka--Get to know Professor Krull in this short video
Krull rolled up his sleeves and helped residence students move in during the August 26-27 weekend, and will present at The First Lecture: UTM Talks on Wednesday, Aug. 30. The key message that Krull would like to communicate to students?
“I hope that students will seize the many opportunities that coming to UTM presents to them,” says Krull. “University is primarily about pursuing academic success and personal growth, and I hope that our students will enrich their UTM experience by joining clubs that pique their interest, or volunteering with one of our many community partners. There are opportunities to travel as a UTM student, or to join one of our many sports teams.”
Krull, who was appointed to his role earlier this year, has plans to improve the experiences of undergraduates at UTM, to expand UTM’s graduate student, faculty and staff complement and to grow research capacity on campus over the next few years. At the same time, new capital projects will create spaces on campus that support outstanding research opportunities and internationally recognized scholarship.
The campus is also in the final phase of its 50th Anniversary celebrations, featuring numerous events on and around campus such as a film festival, a public lecture by former First Lady Margaret Trudeau and a symposium on climate change and Canada’s Arctic.
Find out more about this week’s Orientation events and the ongoing 50th Anniversary celebrations.