About University Watch (uwatch.ca)
Uwatch.ca is an independently incorporated, non-profit donor-financed organisation largely run by volunteers committed to the vision that universities ought to be transparent institutions serving in the public interest. It is also intended as an umbrella organisation linking various stakeholders, including interested private citizens, community groups, students, student governments, agencies, think tanks, and so on.
Although uwatch will work in close conjunction with several other agencies such as the Canadian Association of University Teachers (CAUT), Canadian Federation of Students (CFS), as well as many Graduate and undergraduate student association, it should be highlighted that uwatch represents an arms-length, self-directed advocacy group.
The impetus behind Uwatch is the belief that we are in urgent need of an organisation whose sole purpose is ensuring Canadian universities are acting in the public good. One of Uwatch’s primary objectives is to act as a university commercialisation watchdog and transparency advocate. As well, through the visibility afforded by a national organisation, uwatch will help to defend those from within the academy and beyond who dare to speak out against the new corporate universities.
The initial funding, without strings, was provided by the Graduate Students’ Association of the University of Ottawa to help make this idea a reality. uwatch is intended to provide a sense of engagement, a sense of empowerment, and a sense of optimism that taking action is possible. By providing a forum for professors, students, and concerned members of the community to voice their concerns as well as desire to effectuate positive change, it is hoped that uwatch will encourage all universities to act responsibly and in the public interest — which can only be of benefit to all Canadians.
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