Philip Steenkamp was officially installed as Royal Roads University’s president during convocation ceremonies Tuesday at the Royal Theatre.
Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin presided as Steenkamp took the university president’s oath of office.
Steenkamp is the university’s fourth president, succeeding Allan Cahoon.
He began his five-year term on Jan. 1.
Steenkamp has previously been vice-president, external relations at University of B.C. and Simon Fraser University, and was a deputy minister in a variety ministries in B.C. and Ontario from 1997 to 2011. His B.C. responsibilities as a civil servant included aboriginal affairs, tourism, culture and education.
He has a PhD in history from Queen’s University in Kingston, Ont.
In his installation speech, Steenkamp spoke of how Royal Roads needs to be a university that asks “not just ‘what’s next’ but what should be next.”
“There’s nothing quite like us anywhere. We’re small and focused: providing undergraduate and graduate programs in applied and professional areas. We take our cues from the demands of the labour market and the lifelong learning needs of our community,” he said.
At the ceremony, Royal Roads also honoured 648 graduates.
