Prem Watsa named as Huron University College’s 1st chancellor

Huron University College has announced that Prem Watsa, one of Canada’s best-known business leaders, will be its first chancellor.

Watsa, chairman and CEO of Fairfax Financial Holding Ltd. was selected as chancellor by Huron University College’s board of governors in late September.

In a release sent out by the post-secondary institution Thursday, Barry Craig, principal of Huron University College, said this is an important milestone for the 154-year-old university.

“We are building something new at Huron: an education that cares about our student’s characters as well as their minds,” said Craig. “Prem Watsa is a true leader with heart. As chancellor, he will exemplify Huron’s commitment to ethical leadership.”

The newly appointed position brings with it many responsibilities, including assisting Huron in achieving its mission of providing students with an elite yet accessible education, and helping to shape the way the university inspires “leaders with heart.”

Watsa, a member of the Order of Canada, was born in Hyderabad, India. He attended the Indian Institute of Technology in 1971 where he earned a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering. Later, he moved to London, Ont., and completed an MBA at the Richard Ivey School of Business.