[cid:image004.png@01D934C4.BC54D1D0] Message from Dr. B. Mario Pinto, Vice-President (Research and International) and Dr. Annemieke Farenhorst, Associate Vice-President (Research)

Dear University of Manitoba students,

It is our pleasure to invite you to participate in the development of a UM Strategic Research Plan for 2023-2028https://news.umanitoba.ca/a-new-direction-for-um-research/, as part of the ongoing process to create a new university strategic planhttps://umanitoba.ca/strategic-plan.

Today, our world struggles with many major challenges and it is crucial that the work of UM researchers addresses and responds to these issues both at home and internationally. To achieve this, the new Strategic Research Plan will build on existing disciplinary strengths to define a multi- and inter-disciplinary research strategy for the university.

We will best realize the impacts of our research together, through a diversity of perspectives, and our committee hopes to hear from you at engagement sessions throughout this process.

Students are encouraged to join the UM Strategic Research Plan Community Engagement Session 1

Thursday, February 9, 2023 at 1pm Rooms 543/544 5th Floor, UMSU University Centre, Fort Garry Campus

Please RSVP by February 7https://forms.office.com/r/jrvyTdTgv5.

This is a hybrid event, with both in-person and online options to attend. A link to the virtual event will be made available to those who RSVP and will be listed in the UM events calendarhttps://eventscalendar.umanitoba.ca/site/research/event/um-strategic-research-plan-community-engagement-session-1/ closer to the date.

Ongoing opportunities to engage

We hope that you will continue to participate throughout the development of the Strategic Research Plan. Additional community consultation sessions will take place throughout the year:

* Tuesday March 7https://eventscalendar.umanitoba.ca/site/research/event/um-strategic-research-plan-community-engagement-session-2/ at 10:30am, Marshall McLuhan Hall, UMSU University Centre, Fort Garry Campus * Monday April 3https://eventscalendar.umanitoba.ca/site/research/event/um-strategic-research-plan-community-engagement-session-3/ at 10am, Lecture Theatre C, Basic Medicine Building and Brodie Atrium, Brodie Centre, Bannatyne Campus * Thursday, May 4https://eventscalendar.umanitoba.ca/site/research/event/um-strategic-research-plan-community-engagement-session-4/ at 10am, Marshall McLuhan Hall, UMSU University Centre, Fort Garry Campus * Thursday June 29https://eventscalendar.umanitoba.ca/site/research/event/um-strategic-research-plan-community-engagement-session-5/ at 1pm, Marshall McLuhan Hall, UMSU University Centre, Fort Garry Campus

In addition, we invite you to provide written feedback in response to our Strategic Research Plan guiding questionshttps://forms.office.com/r/skhMxGtdgg.

We look forward to hearing from you about the themes and priorities you value as a part of UM - the research university for Manitoba.

Best Regards,

B. Mario Pinto Vice-President (Research and International)

Annemieke Farenhorst Associate Vice-President (Research)