The University of the Future

Hosted by Laurier's Faculty of Arts during its centenary, join a one-day symposium exploring the future of the university in Canada – and the university of the future.

Ontario universities play an essential role in supporting student learning and engagement, fostering economic and social development, and driving research and innovation. Yet they are being called to adapt as technological changes and geopolitical shifts, among other developments, reshape our world. How can universities align with the needs of tomorrow’s workforce and society?

In Laurier’s Faculty of Arts – home to over 20 programs in the humanities and social sciences – this is a particularly compelling question. Our students are future leaders, changemakers, and problem-solvers. To prepare them to thrive, we need a deeper understanding of the world they are entering.

This event aims to bring together educators, policymakers, industry leaders, and community partners for a timely conversation about the evolving role of higher education in a rapidly changing world.

Info: David Coletto (Founder, Chair, and CEO of Abacus Data) will present recent data to help frame our discussions, sharing his research on public opinion about the current moment and its implications for universities. His talk is entitled: Responding to a Precarity Mindset: Implications for Universities.

Info: Three distinguished Ontario university presidents share their unique perspectives on the challenges facing Canadian universities in 2025, and the key priorities focused on innovation in support of student success and economic and social growth.

Featured Panelists: Dr. Rob Gordon (President Emeritus, University of Windsor); Dr. Rhonda Lenton (President & Vice-Chancellor, York University); Dr. Deborah MacLatchy, President & Vice-Chancellor, Wilfrid Laurier University)

Moderator: Dr. Sofie Lachapelle (Dean, Faculty of Arts, Wilfrid Laurier University)

Info: Panel on the specific challenges and opportunities that emerging technologies create for universities. Panelists will explore the role that artificial intelligence plays in higher education, the skills that graduates will need to thrive in the 21st-century workplace, and visions for the learning environment of the future.

Panelists: Ann Fitz-Gerald (Director, Balsillie School of International Affairs); John Baker (CEO and Board Chair, D2L); Tricia Williams (Director, Research Evaluation and Knowledge Mobilization, Future Skills Centre);

Moderator: Dr. Patricia Goff (Associate Dean, Faculty of Arts, Wilfrid Laurier University)

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