Queen’s leaders discuss the role of universities amid rapid developments in AI, shifting funding priorities, and what they describe as a “post-truth” epoch.
The May 19 webinar, held in the Polson room in the JDUC, was organized by the Queen’s University Office of Advancement and brought together registered alumni, staff, students, and community members.
The discussion aimed to provide insight into challenges universities are facing, how Queen’s is adapting to a changing world, and how alumni and supporters remain essential to the University’s future standing.
Principal Patrick Deane sat alongside Chancellor Shelagh Rogers and began the conversation by discussing how his background in literature deepened his understanding of the University structure, with particular emphasis on the works of George Orwell.
Orwell’s work was discussed primarily in relation to the concept of truth, leading Rogers to ask Deane how universities function in what she described as a “post-truth” world.
Deane said the challenge facing universities is fundamentally about truth itself. “A colleague talks about the current crisis facing universities as a very fundamental one, because it is an epistemological crisis,” Deane responded.
With Queen’s approaching its bicentennial anniversary, Deane recalled the University’s centennial in 1941 and reflected on how soldiers returning from the war sought to enroll in university at a time when there was a demand for science-based disciplines.
READ MORE: Principal Patrick Deane shares vision for University’s 200th birthday
Deane noted a similar shift occurring today with STEM disciplines being increasingly promoted across the country. In 2025, the Ontario government put aside $750 million to boost funding for STEM disciplines, aiming to fund 20,500 STEM spots per year, according to the Colleges and Universities Minister Nolan Quinn, in a 2025 CBC News report.
Queen’s alone is expected to receive $15.9 million in 2025-26 to invest in STEM programs, while arts programs, like drama and music, have faced cutbacks.
READ MORE: $15.9 million in new provincial funding for STEM programs
Responding to pre-submitted audience questions about the future of arts programs at Queen’s, Deane said, “It’s a matter of urgency that [the arts] be safe and preserved and developed.”
Among the alumni in attendance was Xiaoxiao Sun, ArtSci ’12, who said in an interview with The Journal that Deane’s comments on the arts resonate in a world balancing critical thinking with advancing technology.
When discussing the growing presence of artificial intelligence among university students, Deane returned to the importance of the arts, describing them as an “irreplaceable human activity.”
However, Deane acknowledged that faculties are changing with AI and emphasized the importance of embracing and working with the technology as it continues to transform professional fields.
Another alumni who attended the event, Nilmini Ratwatte, ConEd ’01, connected their experience in education to Deane’s remarks, reflecting on preparing students for a future increasingly shaped by AI.
Echoing Deane’s perspective, Ratwatte said “you cannot do away with AI,” arguing universities should focus on teaching students how to engage with AI since “they’re already using it anyway and exposed to it, and that’s going to be the future way.”
Looking ahead to Queen’s Bicentennial Vision and the broader challenges facing universities worldwide, Deane said he believes Queen’s close-knit community will help sustain the institution’s reputation, both locally and on a global scale.
Tags
Future of Universities, Online event, Patrick Deane, Queen's Conversation, Webinar
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