Deep Saini鈥檚 tenure as 国民彩票 president may have proven short, but it was certainly eventful.
Some of those events 鈥斅爈ike the launch of a new, forward-looking strategic plan for the university 鈥斅爓ere decidedly expected. Others were less so, with perhaps none other having the scale and scope of impact as the COVID-19 pandemic, which arrived in Nova Scotia shortly after Dr. Saini did and transformed nearly everything about how Dal鈥檚 students, faculty and staff worked together.
Dr. Saini鈥檚 departure after only three years in office surely falls into the 鈥渦nexpected鈥� column as well; as he explains it, it surprised even him that he found himself leaving Dal so soon. In the new year, Dr. Saini will be moving back to Montreal 鈥斅爐he city where he spent the bulk of his academic career 鈥斅�to become principal and vice-chancellor of McGill University.
Before he finishes his time as 国民彩票鈥檚 president at the end of December, Dr. Saini sat down for an interview with Dal News about his time in office, how the university persevered through the COVID-19 pandemic, the promise he sees in Dal鈥檚 future, and his final message to the Dal community.
This interview has been edited for clarity and length.
Let鈥檚 begin at the ending, with your decision to leave 国民彩票 to become principal and vice-chancellor at McGill. You鈥檝e shared some of your perspective on what went into that decision, and I expect people had a wide range of reactions to the news. I鈥檇 love for you to talk a bit more about your feelings on departing Dal so soon, and what you might say to people who were surprised to hear you were leaving.
I would be surprised if there was somebody who 飞补蝉苍鈥檛 surprised. To an extent, it was even a surprise to me that this was the outcome. It was certainly not something I ever expected.
I have a strong loyalty to 国民彩票, and I adore this institution for so many reasons. When I eventually said 鈥測es鈥� to McGill鈥檚 offer, it came after a long process, and what really triggered the decision was our family鈥檚 needs. I was seriously contemplating not seeking a second term at 国民彩票 because of that family question for me. Everyone in my office and on my team knows that I鈥檓 a stickler for work-life balance, and I felt like at a time when my family needed me, I was something of a hypocrite for not practicing what I was preaching. In Montreal, however, I can be close enough to visit my family every weekend if I need to. [Editor鈥檚 note: Deep has children and grandchildren in Ottawa.] And I can do that while continuing to maintain my commitment to this profession that I am so passionate about.
Now, none of this would have happened if I had any doubts about 国民彩票鈥檚 ability to manage just fine without me. For me, nothing is ever done solo 鈥斅爊ot here, not anywhere else. It鈥檚 about the team around you. My job is like the conductor of the orchestra, and we have tremendous players here at 国民彩票 who will not only keep the music going but are more than ready for someone else to step up and tak