Dear Colleagues:

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Baldev Pooni as Dean of the School of Trades and Technology at Thompson Rivers University.

As many of you know, Baldev was appointed Interim Dean in September 2016. He has more than 25 years of post-secondary experience, most recently as Vice-President Academic at Georgian College in Ontario. Prior to that he served as Vice-President of Education and Student Services, Dean of Trades and Technology, and Chair of Civil and Mechanical Engineering Technology at Camosun College in Victoria, BC. He worked in the private sector prior to joining Camosun.

Baldev’s broad expertise includes academic and strategic planning, program review and renewal. He has expanded academic pathways with university partners, and has initiated innovations in technology-enhanced learning, Aboriginal programming, international education and continuing education. He has also served ministry-led initiatives in such areas as education planning and trades training development. His education includes a Master of Science in Computer Applications of Engineering and a BSc (Honours First Class) in Mechanical Engineering from Teesside University in the UK.

On behalf of the university, I take this opportunity to thank the members of the search committee, including Christine Bovis-Cnossen (Chair), Tom Haag, Dana McIntyre, John Sutton, Satwinder Paul, Carl Burton, Heather Hamilton, Jenny Gomes, Airini and Oluwafemi Akinsanpe (student) for their insight and diligence.

Please join Christine and me in wishing Baldev every success as he begins his five-year term as Dean of Trades and Technology at TRU on March 1, 2017.

Sincerely,

Alan Shaver
President and Vice-Chancellor