A leading Canadian researcher and expert in safe storage of grain is headed westbound and up to the head office at another Prairie university.
Dr. Digvir Jayas, currently on sabbatical as professor and vice-president (research and international) at the University of Manitoba, will become president and vice-chancellor at the University of Lethbridge effective July 1 this year.
Dean Gallimore, who chairs Lethbridge’s board of governors and the board’s search committee, said in a recent release that throughout the search process, “it became readily apparent that Dr. Jayas is an outstanding relationship builder who has an innate ability to bring people together, whether it be as a professor, researcher or administrator.”
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The fact that Jayas “also conducts a research program of vital importance to the southern Alberta region and has continually gravitated to leadership roles within a comprehensive research university as well as external national agencies made him the ideal person to be at the forefront of the next era of the University of Lethbridge.”
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Jayas was born and raised on a farm in India, studied ag engineering there and completed his grad degree and PhD at the Universities of Manitoba and Saskatchewan respectively. He began teaching at the U of M in 1985, becoming an internationally known authority and researcher on drying, handling and storing of grains and oilseeds, and digital image processing for grading and processing operations in agri-food.
Jayas has served as U of M’s vice-president of research for the past 13 years, the past decade of which corresponded with nearly 50 per cent growth in research funding there, the university noted in a separate release.
As a professor, U of L noted, Jayas has authored or co-authored over 1,000 technical articles in scientific journals, conference proceedings and books dealing with issues of storing, drying, handling and quality monitoring of grains and foods.
On top of multiple awards and honours for his research, Jayas is also an inductee in the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame, a fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, and an officer of the Order of Canada.
In a recent separate article about his sabbatical, the U of M quoted Jayas as saying his plans included graduating his eight current grad students, writing a book and organizing the next International Conference on Controlled Atmospheres and Fumigation in Stored Products, held every four years in different locations worldwide and next set for Aug. 18-23, 2024 in Winnipeg.
As U of L president, Jayas replaces Dr. Mike Mahon, a professor specializing in physical education and disability studies, who had held the head office post since 2010.
Jayas is scheduled to take part in a community welcome event at U of L on Tuesday (Feb. 7); his official installation as president will take place at the school’s fall convocation in October.
In a U of L release, Jayas said he sees his background aligning with the school’s strategic directives. “Firstly, when I look at the University of Lethbridge, I see values that align with my values. This is a place that is committed to liberal education, committed to creating a respectful work environment for students, faculty and staff, and committed to the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion,” he said.
“I also see a desire to continue to grow research and further impact society through this valuable work, enhancing opportunities for researchers and the undergraduate and graduate students they mentor.” — Glacier FarmMedia Network
