Daniel Jutras, rector of Université de Montréal, is on a mission to bridge the gap between academic expertise and society's most pressing problems. His conviction comes at a time when a surprising statistic reveals growing skepticism about the value of higher education among young people.
A Disturbing Poll and a Call to Action
While preparing a speech for the Canadian Club, Jutras encountered a Léger poll, cited in La Presse, that found 40 percent of young Quebecers aged 18 to 24 question the necessity of university education. This sentiment, potentially fueled by a strong job market and social media influencers promising quick wealth, stands in direct opposition to the message Jutras aims to promote.
"My talk Monday is about expertise and the ways expertise can circulate back to society and help us overcome or reduce negative consequences of these threats and challenges," Jutras stated in an interview.
Tackling Global and Local Crises
Jutras outlined a daunting list of challenges where university knowledge is vital. This includes the geopolitical and economic instability linked to former U.S. President Donald Trump, the existential threat of climate change, and the need to guide artificial intelligence to serve humanity. Closer to home, issues like inflation, the cost of living, and social debates also demand evidence-based solutions.
"The message is pretty simple: We're here to help," Jutras emphasized. "Universities have as their mission to serve the common welfare, the common good. And we are able to provide assistance to our communities both in terms of addressing the small problems and the existential major crises that we're facing on a global front."
Opportunities and Obstacles in the Current Climate
Despite this mission, universities face significant headwinds. Jutras noted that in the U.S., academic freedom is under attack, while in Canada, institutions grapple with financial strain. Université de Montréal is facing a $9-million budget shortfall, its first in a decade, with peers like McGill and Concordia also taking drastic fiscal measures.
However, a significant opportunity emerged with the recent federal budget, which allocated $1.7 billion over 13 years to attract top scholars to Canada. This was a key recommendation of the Polaris initiative, a joint effort by U de M, McGill, Université Laval, and Université de Sherbrooke.
"It is a unique moment, a historical moment, I would say, to enrich the community of scholars and researchers of the highest quality and bring them to Quebec," Jutras said, highlighting that the initiative aims to attract talent concerned about the political climate in the United States.
Yet, this positive news clashes with recent immigration policy changes. The federal government has halved international study permits, and the Quebec government plans to cut its permanent immigration target to 45,000 per year for the next four years, a move that includes graduate students. Pathways to permanent residency for students and university professors have also been restricted.
"All of these little pieces point in the wrong direction," Jutras lamented, stressing the need for stable, welcoming policies to attract global talent.
In response, U de M is launching initiatives to foster entrepreneurship and find practical ways for students and faculty to engage in major policy debates. Jutras concluded that universities must actively rebuild their "social licence" and reaffirm their unwavering commitment to the public good.
