New partnership between university and public health unit announced

Residence Hall West, at the University of Windsor, is pictured on Wednesday, August 24, 2022.

PHOTO BY DAX MELMER /Windsor Star

The University of Windsor and the Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) have entered into a strategic partnership that will explore opportunities such as co-location, joint programming and collaboration in research, teaching, experiential learning and community service.

“We are thrilled to partner with such an important organization and are excited about the opportunity this brings to our campus and region” said Dr. Robert Gordon, University of Windsor president and vice-chancellor.

“This partnership aligns with the university’s vision of being an engaged and meaningful community partner and opens the door to collaboration resulting in exceptional teaching, learning and research opportunities.”

The partnership will bring together individuals from both institutions focused on learning, research, community service and public health to examine potential synergies in the areas such as joint training and learning opportunities, student health and wellness services and increased programming collaboration.

The partnership also includes a proposed retrofit of the University’s Residence Hall West for use by WECHU, including expanded office and clinic space.

“We are incredibly excited about this partnership, which will only strengthen the great relationship between our two organizations,” said WECHU Chief Executive Officer Nicole Dupuis.

“It offers increased capacity to support our clients and the community and opens the door to forge strategic collaboration across a broad range of areas including public health research.”

The co-location element of the partnership will enable the university to repurpose Residence Hall West. The older residence building constructed in 1967 has not been in use in recent years due to change in student needs and modernization requirements.

Planning for all partnership is underway and the university’s board of governors will review the residence retrofit proposal this fall.

A targeted construction completion and co-location date is planned for early 2024.

Courtesy: https://windsorstar.com/news/local-news/new-partnership-between-university-and-public-health-unit-announced