President Nauman Farooqi addresses the future of STU

Nauman Farooqi has been President and Vice-Chancellor at St. Thomas University since July 2023. (Credit: STU Communications)

St. Thomas University President Nauman Farooqi doesn’t mince words when it comes to the future of small liberal arts universities in Canada.

“We are not for-profit businesses. We are doing something which is for the society and the good,” he said. “If [governments] don’t look at us as important players in that journey, then they’re missing out on really, really an important part. And we’re going to suffer as a society because of that.”

Farooqi believes that education is not just another budget line, but a strategic tool for building a better future. 

“Whether it’s the economy, social services, social entrepreneurship, taking care of our people, or health — any of those issues are solved through investment in education,” he said.

A sector under pressure

For STU, those investments can’t come soon enough. The university, which has just under 2,000 students, has been navigating a challenging financial landscape marked by rising costs, provincial funding freezes and growing competition for students.

Farooqi describes the situation as “managing within a very tight budget,” one that leaves little room for risk-taking or innovation.

“There are so many ideas that we have to say no to — not because they aren’t good ideas, but because we just don’t have the financial flexibility to take that risk,” he said. “Hopefully, in five years, we will have a bit of flexibility. When someone comes to me with a great idea, I want to be able to say, ‘Yes, let’s try this.’ Right now, I’m too shy. I say no because the risk is too great.”

The international student cap

On top of existing financial challenges, universities across Canada have been grappling with the federal government’s cap on international study permits, announced in early 2024. 

The cap is meant to curb unsustainable enrollment growth in some provinces, but smaller universities like STU result in collateral damage.

International students make up 11 per cent of STU’s student body and, crucially, its budget. They pay higher tuition fees, helping to offset the costs of maintaining small class sizes and offering specialized programs.

Farooqi said that while STU has managed to keep its enrollment stable so far, uncertainty about future study permits is affecting planning.

“There’s a vacuum right now,” he said. “We need clarity and we need governments to recognize that universities like STU are part of the solution, not the problem. International students enrich our campus, bring diversity to the classroom and support the local economy. If the cap is not applied carefully, we all lose.”

He added that resolving the issue with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada is one of his top priorities. “It’s about giving students and universities predictability,” he said.

A vision for 2030

When asked where he sees STU in five years, Farooqi spoke with optimism.

“Our ideal enrollment is around 2,000 students,” he said. “That allows us to reinvest in faculty resources, infrastructure, and staff resources, provide more opportunities for our students and take calculated risks to try new things.”

Farooqi envisions STU launching new programs to attract students, increasing retention rates and achieving financial stability. 

He also hopes that provincial and federal governments will step up with increased support for post-secondary education.

“We need them to allow us to carve out the space that is out there,” he said. “Right now, there’s a vacuum on a global scale and at the national level. STU can fill that space, but we need the resources to do it.”

Celebrating STU’s strengths

Despite the challenges, Farooqi was quick to point out what makes STU unique and worth fighting for.

“A lot of times we take for granted what a great place St. Thomas University is,” he said.

He highlighted STU’s exceptional student experience, citing national surveys that rank it among the highest in Canada for student satisfaction.

He also pointed to student success stories such as STU’s Moot Court team competing at the Nelson Mandela World Human Rights Moot Court Competition in Geneva.  STU was the only undergraduate institution from Canada and the only one without a law school to participate.

“The fact that we have one of the highest percentages of Indigenous students in the region and that we attract the highest number of first-generation students is something to celebrate,” said Farooqi. “When you change the trajectory for one first-generation student, you change the trajectory for their future generations.”

Calling to government

Farooqi’s message to policymakers is to treat universities as long-term, strategic partners in building stronger communities.

“If there is one investment that can really pay dividends across society, it is investment in education,” he said. “Healthy, vibrant universities benefit everyone — the economy, the healthcare system, and social services. We are building the future workforce, the future thinkers, the future leaders.”