International Business University Appoints Dr. Harvey P. Weingarten as Director of the Future Talent Institute
Distinguished university leader to help advance IBU's leadership in skills, workforce development, and the future of higher education
TORONTO, Sept. 30, 2026 /CNW/ -- International Business University (IBU) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Harvey Weingarten as Director of the Future Talent Institute (FTI). The appointment marks an important milestone in the Institute's growth and reinforces IBU's commitment to strengthening the connection between higher education, workforce development, and the evolving needs of employers.
Dr. Weingarten is one of Canada's most respected higher education leaders, policy thinkers, and public intellectuals. His distinguished career includes serving as President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calgary, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (HEQCO), Principal of The Michener Institute of Education at UHN, and Provost and Vice-President Academic at McMaster University. He currently serves as a Senior Fellow at the C.D. Howe Institute.
Beyond his leadership roles, Dr. Weingarten is widely recognized for his extensive writing, research, and thought leadership on the future of higher education. Throughout his career, he has challenged institutions to rethink traditional models of teaching and learning, strengthen the connection between education and employment, improve student outcomes, and respond more effectively to the changing needs of society and the economy. His work has helped shape national conversations on educational quality, innovation, accountability, workforce readiness, and the evolving role of universities in a rapidly changing world.
"Harvey's appointment represents an important step forward for both International Business University and the Future Talent Institute," said Dr. Asima Vezina, President and Vice-Chancellor of International Business University. "His national reputation as a higher education leader, researcher, and thought leader will significantly expand the Institute's reach, relevance, and impact, positioning both the Institute and the University as leaders in advancing talent development, workforce training, and graduate readiness to meet the evolving needs of employers, industries, and communities. Harvey has spent his career asking important questions about how universities can better serve students, employers, communities, and society. There is no better person to help guide the Institute into its next phase of growth and contribution."
" Canada is in the throes of repositioning its economy and becoming more globally competitive, says Harvey Weingarten. No amount of infrastructure or capital investment leads to succees unless they are coupled to an adequate supply of skilled labour and talent to make Canada globally competitive in areas of economic importance and priority for our country. Other countries have introduced some progressive and innovative education, training, re-training and upskilling models to meet these talent needs, and that is what the Future Talent Institute is all about. "
About the Future Talent Institute
The Future Talent Institute engages actively and enthusiastically with employers to ensure that graduates have the knowledge, skills and talents employers have identified as essential for success in today's rapidly changing workplaces. Aside from the traditional transcript, every IBU graduate also possesses, and can offer future employers, a validated credential that documents the individual's level of competence on these workplace essential skills. The FTI offers a host of bespoke, rapid short courses and workshops, tailored to the needs of employers and their workplaces and co-designed by them, to train, upskill or re-tool current and future employees
About International Business University
International Business University (IBU) is Ontario's first independent, not-for-profit university dedicated exclusively to business education. Guided by a mission of accessible, affordable and personalized learning, IBU prepares graduates to thrive in a global, purpose-driven economy.
Through Centres of Excellence such as the Future Talent Research Institute and the Centre for Sustainable Business, IBU keeps its curriculum aligned with employer demand and emerging workforce needs. Small class sizes, industry-engaged faculty and innovative teaching methods make its education practical, globally relevant and grounded in the real world of business.
From its founding, IBU has built sustainability, innovation and industry collaboration into every program – positioning itself as a forward-looking institution shaping Canada's next generation of business leaders.
SOURCE International Business University
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