This cooperation agreement re-appoints Memorial University’s Strategic Northern Liaison, Sheila Downer, who has served as UArctic’s Vice-President Finance, Development and Engagement for the past five years, to the new position of Vice-President Northern Community Engagement.  "This new leadership position focusing on community engagement is important as part of UArctic’s capacity in supporting key strategic activities in Northern communities, as well as across the full membership base of the network", said Lars Kullerud, President of UArctic.

"Memorial University has a very strong commitment to working meaningfully locally, nationally, and internationally with academic, Indigenous, community, government, and network partners in the North.  Continuing our engaged collaboration with UArctic supports the strategic initiatives of Memorial University and provides opportunity to build and share our research work in Arctic and sub-Arctic environments, as well as Northern-focused education initiatives", says Dr. Vianne Timmons, OC, President Memorial University.

"Bringing Memorial’s expertise and resources as a publicly engaged university, along with my own community-focused background to this new position in UArctic is very exciting and is an opportunity that I am honored to be working with Memorial and UArctic to develop. I hope, in the coming months to meet with UArctic members to learn about place-based education and research initiatives, as well as to develop an understanding of the challenges and opportunities of members that operate in the most Northern and remote communities and to discuss how UArctic can support through meaningful collaborations", said Sheila Downer.

The UArctic network brings together close to 200 higher education institutions, research centres, Indigenous peoples, and other organizations to collaborate on Arctic education and research. Its vision is a strong and dynamic North, creating better lives and environments for all northerners.  UArctic was established by the Arctic Council in 1998.

For more Information contact:
UArctic International Secretariat
UArctic Vice-President Northern Community Engagement