The City of Mississauga and the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) will build on past successes and explore new ways of partnering together through a newly-signed Memorandum of Understanding – Collaborating for the Future.
“This agreement represents a significant milestone in our longstanding and positive relationship, further solidifying our commitment to collaboration and partnership,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “By working together, the City of Mississauga and the University of Toronto Mississauga have already achieved great things, and now we are paving the way for even greater opportunities and shared priorities. This partnership will serve as a foundation for our future relationship, allowing us to work hand-in-hand towards the betterment of Mississauga residents and businesses, and the continued success of UTM students. Together, we will drive innovation, foster academic excellence, and enhance the quality of life for all who live, work and study in our great city.”
This memorandum of understanding (MOU) takes effect on June 1, 2023 and will see the City and UTM move forward on shared goals and potential strategic collaborations. Together, they will seek opportunities for promoting Truth and Reconciliation, combatting racism, building sustainable communities, fostering healthy populations and advancing a prosperous future. Structured around a five-year renewable term period, the MOU will be implemented through strategic collaborations and operational tables led by City and UTM directors.
“A world-class university is a major draw for employers, investors, and firms of every description looking for talent, ideas, energy, and ambition. And a city with a high quality of life is a major draw for families, students and researchers,” said Meric S. Gertler, president of University of Toronto (U of T). “This kind of synergy is at the heart of the relationship between Mississauga and the University of Toronto, and it is propelling us toward a great future.”
The Strategic Collaborations Table shall focus on planning for strategic initiatives around equity, diversity and inclusion, supporting innovation and research across the University’s three campuses, exploring opportunities for capacity building and experiential learning as well as promoting connections of the teaching mission with local economy needs and expanding the entrepreneur ecosystem. The Table will also aim at aligning industry and business engagement internationally and inspiring student engagement and forums for thought leaders and experts.
The other area for collaboration will be centred around local operational matters related to the UTM “neighbourhood” that require attention, such as creating positive experiences for students through affordable transit and housing, controlled noise levels, and improved health and safety, and fire and enforcement.
“Our connection with the City of Mississauga is the heart of UTM’s identity: we’re U of T for Mississauga. We believe in sharing the strength of one of the world’s great universities in this community; and we know how much strength we draw from the power of this community in turn,” said Alexandra Gillespie, vice-president and principal of U of T Mississauga. “Together, Mississauga and U of T will drive life science discovery and create new technologies and jobs in robotics. We’ll strengthen a pipeline of industry-ready talent, accelerate a climate positive future, and promote mental health supports for every child to flourish. Our community will advance truth and reconciliation with Indigenous Nations, share new stories and arts, and make our city safer for everyone.”
The City of Mississauga and UTM have nurtured a positive working relationship since the university’s establishment in Mississauga. The execution of an MOU is an important milestone to harness the significant innovation potential of UTM and build on its significant contributions within the city’s social, economic and urban landscapes; it will enable the City and UTM to leverage future collaboration opportunities to meet shared priorities.
SOURCE City of Mississauga
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