‘Universities are transformative places’

“We’ll always need human contact to enrich learning and the exchange of ideas,” Shepard said. “This is the time for urban universities. People want to be in urban centres and these communities are growing around the world, so Concordia is well placed.”

“Some $600 million dollars in building investment have transformed the two campuses over the last 10 years,” Shepard said. Among the new buildings and top research facilities, he highlighted the Centre for Structural and Functional Genomics and the PERFORM Centre for research into illness and injury prevention.

“Universities are transformative places. I know that’s been true for me,” said Shepard, a first-generation university graduate. Concordia’s large and diverse population, including 46,000 students from around the world, forms a very social and engaged community, he said.

Shepard promoted greater exchange through study-abroad programs — an enriching experience he lived himself as a visiting student at the University of Cambridge.

He urged audience members to send their children and grandchildren to study overseas.

“It’s not out of reach. Funds are available to students every year yet remain unused.”

He touched on the financial state of universities today, the reality of being a student in modern times and ideas for the future of education.

“Dr. Shepard provided a wonderful overview of the university. I really like the urban aspect of it and I’m amazed at how the downtown campus has changed,” said Dorothy Thomas-Edding, co-chair of Education at the Women’s Canadian Club of Montreal.