Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray appointed board chair of the Canadian Bureau for International Education
Saint Mary’s University President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray has been appointed the new chair of the board of directors of the Canadian Bureau for International Education. Dr. Summerby-Murray was first appointed to the board in January 2018, has served on the Executive Committee and was chair of the Governance Committee.
“I am truly delighted to assume the role of CBIE board chair,” said President Summerby-Murray. “I look forward to working with CBIE’s executive team and leading their board, furthering efforts to put Canada’s global engagement challenge on the agendas of government and the private sector, and to advancing the role of young people in meeting that challenge.”
The Canadian Bureau for International Education is the national organization dedicated to the internationalization of education and the expansion of educational partnerships between Canada and countries around the globe. CBIE’s pan-Canadian membership comprises 150 colleges, institutes, cégeps, universities, school boards and language schools.
“Dr. Rob Summerby-Murray is known as a Canadian leader in international education,” said Dr. David Ross, Past Board Chair. “Under his tenure, Saint Mary’s University has distinguished itself as one of Canada’s most globally-connected universities. His experience spearheading strong partnerships with post-secondary institutions around the world and his personal commitment to global outreach will be valuable assets to CBIE.”
Born in Christchurch, New Zealand, Dr. Summerby-Murray received his PhD in Geography from the University of Toronto in 1992. An award-winning educator, Dr. Summerby-Murray is an experienced academic administrator and post-secondary advocate. He participates on public and private boards, including Junior Achievement of Nova Scotia, the Business-Education Council and the Advisory Council for the Order of Nova Scotia. In May 2018, he was named one of Atlantic Canada Business Magazine’s Top 50 CEOs.
“I am looking forward to working with Dr. Summerby-Murray over the next couple of years in his new role as board chair,” said Larissa Bezo, Interim President and CEO, CBIE. “He brings a great depth of experience that will offer new insights into the benefits and challenges of internationalization and position us well as we advocate for global education for more young Canadians.”
To learn more about the Canadian Bureau for International Education visit www.cbie.ca.
See also, Saint Mary's President named Chair Designate of Canadian Bureau for International Education.
Collaboration agreement signed between Saint Mary’s and LAU
Saint Mary’s President Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray shakes hands with LAU President Dr Joseph G. Jabbra
Saint Mary’s University and the Lebanese American University (LAU), have signed an agreement that will open doors to more collaboration between the two institutions. The agreement allows for a variety of new opportunities including academic and professional exchange, joint research and short-term academic programs.
LAU President Dr. Joseph G. Jabbra welcomed Saint Mary’s President and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray, to the Jamil Iskandar Conference Room at LAU’s Byblos campus on October 9, 2018, to sign the agreement.
President Jabbra is known to many on campus from his time spent as both an active member of the political science department and as the Vice President, Academic and Research from 1980 to 1990. In April 2017, President Jabbra received a Doctor of Civil Law, honoris causa, from Saint Mary’s.
Saint Mary’s President Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray and LAU President Dr Joseph G. Jabbra sign the collaboration agreement between the two universities.
Saint Mary’s University has a well-established commitment to cultural diversity and encourages and supports the development of a global perspective. This new collaboration supports Saint Mary’s commitment to international and intercultural education and the global connectivity of the university and the university’s research partnerships. Saint Mary’s is recognized as a Canadian leader in these areas with extensive international outreach and collaboration by way of institutional linkages with universities around the world. This agreement with LAU marks another opportunity for students, faculty and staff to benefit from global perspectives and partnerships.
At the signing, Dr. Summerby-Murray emphasized the importance of the collaboration and the strong foundation that is already in place between both institutions and countries. The end of the event was marked by the exchange of gifts between the two presidents. The partnership is expected to begin shortly, with a representative of LAU expected to arrive on campus later this month.
Saint Mary’s University lowers flags to remember Fredericton victims
This weekend, the flags in front of the McNally Building will fly at half-staff in solidarity and in remembrance of the victims of last week’s shooting tragedy in Fredericton.
Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray, President and Vice-Chancellor, said, “As the City of Fredericton prepares to honour publicly this Saturday two fallen police officers, the entire Saint Mary’s community and communities across Canada grieve the tragic loss of life. ”
“Our condolences and thoughts are with the Fredericton Police Force and the family and friends of those taken.”
Growing the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem: Saint Mary’s shines a light on alumni entrepreneurs
A sold-out crowd gathered to hear from Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray and three entrepreneurial alumni at a Halifax Chamber of Commerce luncheon on May 24.
More than 120 guests attended “Growing the Entrepreneurial Ecosystem in Halifax and Beyond”, where Dr. Summerby-Murray highlighted Saint Mary’s leadership and vision for creating a thriving economy and then interviewed Ross Simmonds, Janet Chiang and Gregg Curwin - all proud Saint Mary’s alumni at different stages of their entrepreneurial journeys.
Live at @halifaxchamber’s Distinguished Speaker luncheon. https://t.co/7NatIa3Qgb
— Rob Summerby-Murray (@smuprez) May 24, 2018
Saint Mary's University community driving growth as Top 50 CEOs
Saint Mary’s University is celebrating the success of the Saint Mary’s alumni whose innovation, drive and business leadership were recognized by Atlantic Business Magazine’s Top 50 CEO Award.
The well-attended award ceremony took place in the recently opened Halifax Convention Centre. It was a fantastic night of entertainment and celebration, that recognized the successes of leaders who are driving growth and prosperity in the Atlantic region.
It was a particularly spectacular night for Saint Mary’s University, our alumni, our friends and our partners. This year's award winners includes alumni Joyce Carter, BComm’84, Stuart MacLean, EMBA’97; Darren Nantes, BComm’89; Carl Sparkes, MBA’87 and Saint Mary's University President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray.
Read on for more about our alumni recently named Top 50 CEOs by Atlantic Business Magazine.
Joyce Carter, BComm’84
President & CEO,
Halifax International Airport Authority
Joyce Carter, BComm’84
President & CEO,
Halifax International Airport Authority
Joyce joined the Halifax International Airport Authority in 1999, and since then she has been integral in its growth and development, becoming Chief Financial Officer in 2006, Chief Strategy Officer in 2008, and President & CEO in 2014. Since she became CEO in 2014, there’s been tremendous growth in both passenger and cargo numbers. In 2016 alone, the airport contributed $2.8 billion to the Nova Scotia economy.
Stuart MacLean, EMBA’97
CEO, WCB Nova Scotia
Stuart MacLean, EMBA’97
CEO, WCB Nova Scotia
Stuart is passionate about making a difference in the lives of working Nova Scotians by reducing the impact of workplace injury. Five years ago, the commercial fishing sector had the highest rates of injury and fatality in Nova Scotia. MacLean was determined to end the tragic legacy. He and WCB teamed up with government and safety champions in the fishing industry, engaged their board, made investments and watched a safety culture begin to emerge. Today, injuries are at an all-time low.
Darren Nantes, BComm’89
Chairman & CEO, Nantes Capital Inc
Darren Nantes, BComm’89
Chairman & CEO, Nantes Capital Inc.
Darren started his career as a CA and went on to hone his entrepreneurial skills by acquiring underperforming companies and implementing change to increase value. Nantes acts on investment opportunities through his private venture capital firm, Nantes Capital Inc. He currently owns 10 companies in a variety of business sectors.
Carl Sparkes, MBA’87
President & CEO, Devonian Coast Wineries Ltd.
Carl Sparkes, MBA’87
President & CEO, Devonian Coast Wineries Ltd.
To Carl, business is like a sport. Winning is important but having fun while doing it makes it worthwhile. If the fun leaves, so does he. As president of Olivieri Foods, he quadrupled growth in as many years. That was followed by similar results for Canada Bread, Eastern Bakeries, Omstead Foods and Bento Nouveau. By 2011, he was more than ready to pour his energies into a business of his own, so he created Devonian Coast to acquire Jost and two other Nova Scotia wineries.
Saint Mary's is proud to have five members of the Saint Mary's community recognized as Top 50 CEOs by Atlantic Business Magazine. You can read more about the Top 50 CEOs in the May-June issue of Atlantic Business Magazine, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the awards.
President Summerby-Murray named Top 50 CEO by Atlantic Business Magazine
Saint Mary's University President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray
The following is an excerpt from the May-June issue of Atlantic Business Magazine.
“Robert is an experienced academic administrator and post-secondary advocate. He is passionate about the value of research, teaching and the advancement of learning for everyone who wants to participate in higher education.”
LEARNING MOMENTS In Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray’s very well-educated opinion, there are no failures on the road to success, only a series of lessons waiting to be learned. Having had “many” of these learning moments in his career, he say the key is to “find the opportunity that can be hidden in these challenges.” One such challenge was the development of a strategic plan to articulate the university’s purpose and strengths. Started in 2015, the process took time, and a cultural shift within the institution, but the challenge was overcome. Summerby-Murray knew the process was working when people began articulating ideas in their own words, in ways that were consistent with the university’s broader themes.
ABT (ALWAYS BE TEACHING) As the president of Saint Mary’s University, Summerby-Murray’s daily task is to help create innovative minds and foster entrepreneurial mindsets across faculties. “We equip the next generation for the depth of knowledge and the breadth of understanding that will drive the future of the economy and society.”
SHARING IDEAS Saying that universities are essential venues for critical dialogue, Summerby-Murray is proud of how Saint Mary’s honours that role. “Movements such as Black Lives Matter and #MeToo help to heighten our understanding of social conscience and how we approach our teaching.” They also work to encourage immigration, noting that the connection between innovation and immigration is clear.
Saint Mary’s enhances entrepreneurship and innovation through new centre
To celebrate more than 25 years of cultivating entrepreneurship at Saint Mary’s, the school is today introducing the Saint Mary’s University Entrepreneurship Centre.
Meet the disruptive entrepreneurs from Saint Mary's
“Although Saint Mary’s has always aimed to instill an entrepreneurial mindset within our students across all academic disciplines, we’re now taking our focus on entrepreneurship to the next level,” says Saint Mary’s University President Dr. Robert Summerby-Murray.To launch the new entrepreneurship centre, more than 200 Saint Mary’s alumni, business partners, and government representatives are gathering tonight at a special venture showcase. In conjunction with the centre’s launch, the university is also kicking off a creative campaign celebrating graduates’ entrepreneurial successes.
“We created this campaign to highlight the immense number of inspiring stories that started in the hallways of Saint Mary’s University,” says Dr. Patricia Bradshaw, Dean of the Sobey School of Business. “Today, and over the coming months, we’re celebrating the success of our alumni by showcasing the great entrepreneurial careers launched by graduates in Arts, Business, and Science.”
The Saint Mary’s University Entrepreneurship Centre, formerly known as the Sobey School Business Development Centre (BDC), has played a key role in building workforce skills, creating employment, supporting start-ups, and growing companies. It has also offered undergraduate and graduate students hands-on business research and consulting experience.
“Approaching the BDC’s 30-year mark, we’ve helped thousands of businesses and tens of thousands of graduates,” says Michael Sanderson, the Saint Mary’s University Entrepreneur Centre’s Acting Director. “As a bridge to the community, we’re pleased to see the repositioning of our role through the launch of the Saint Mary’s Entrepreneurship Centre; we’re ready for growth.”
“Saint Mary’s has been developing and mentoring entrepreneurs for decades,” says
Dr. Summerby-Murray. “We’re proud to play a key part in the ongoing growth of Atlantic Canada. And I hope that when our federal, provincial, and industry partners look to Saint Mary’s, they see eager learners and doers who spark innovation within our region, across Canada, and around the world.”