Canadian Club – Fred Gibbons

Fred Gibbons, Chair of Colleges Ontario & President of Northern College

” Rethinking College Education in the Fourth Industrial Revolution “

As the province celebrates the 50th anniversary of Ontario’s colleges, post-secondary education faces profound changes. Fred Gibbons, the chair of Colleges Ontario and president of Northern College, will examine the measures needed to ensure colleges effectively prepare graduates for a new age of accelerating automation and economic disruption.

Biography

Mr. Gibbons was selected as the seventh President of Northern College, effective July 1, 2009, now serving in his second term.

Prior to assuming the role of President, Mr. Gibbons held various senior positions with the college including Executive Regional Director; Executive Director, Staff Development and Human Resources; Registrar; and Principal of the Haileybury School of Mines.

As President, Mr. Gibbons is currently leading the design phase for the construction of a 40,000 square foot Integrated Emergency Services Complex; previously having led the Timmins Campus expansion fundraising campaign for the construction of a new 35,000 square foot Trades and Technology Centre, and the construction of a residence complex and a Veterinary Sciences building at the Haileybury Campus.

President Gibbons chaired the development of a strategic plan for the revitalization of the Kirkland Lake Campus that has seen increases in student enrolment and new investments in equipment, technology, programs and facility improvements. Along with his Senior Management Team, President Gibbons led the development of the college’s 2016-2020 Strategic Plan.

Mr. Gibbons has been instrumental in the creation of a polytechnic partnership in Mumbai, India and continues to lead in the creation of several joint venture partnerships with colleges and universities located in China.

In his capacity as President of Northern College, Mr. Gibbons participates on a number of provincial and national committees including:
•Chair: Colleges Ontario
•Chair: Committee of Presidents and Committee of Presidents’ Executive Committee
•Member of the College Employer Council Management Board and Human Resources Steering Committee
•Member of the Colleges and Institutes Canada, Learning Network Steering Committee

President Gibbons is currently the Chair of the Timmins Economic Development Corporation, Past President of the Timmins Chamber of Commerce and past Director of the Timmins and District Hospital.

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