Faculty of Management
The Telfer School of Management at the University of Ottawa was initially founded as the 'Faculty of Management Science' in 1969 when the Arts Faculty's Department Of Commerce, the Public Administration Department of the Faculty of Social Sciences, and the School of Hospital Administration joined to create a new academic unit. The first dean, Joseph Debanné, often profiled as an entrepreneur, oversaw the integration of these academic units. In 1970, he added the Department of Operational Research and Planning to the School of Management.
During the 1970s, John Carson, formerly president of the Public Service Commission, the largest employer in Canada, reorganized the School of Management and gave it a new direction. It was during his tenure that the Faculty of Management adopted the name Faculty of Administration. Several structural changes were also made, such as abolishing departments in favor of programs, appointing assistant deans to oversee undergraduate and graduate programs and replacing the School of Hospital Administration with the Health Administration Program (MHA).
By 1980, enrolment had grown to more than 3,000 — with more than 400 students registered in graduate programs — and the number of full-time School of Management member grew to more than sixty. During that year, Gilles Paquet became Dean. In 1984, further growth led to the creation of undergraduate co-operative programs and new graduate courses, as well as the move to the School of Management's current home in Vanier Hall.
David Zussman was appointed Dean in 1988. He established an advisory board made up of leaders from business and government to provide advice and guidance about the kind of educational initiatives essential for responding to a rapidly changing environment. In 1992, Dean Zussman launched the Executive MBA program and the International MBA program.
During the same year, Jean-Louis Malouin became Dean. Under his leadership, the School of Management began to concentrate on the development of international management and business, which today, still remains a key focus at the School. This has spawned an extensive network of international contacts, most notably through institutional co-operation, student and staff exchanges, joint-venture projects, and consulting assignments. In 1994, the School of Management launched an Executive MBA in Hong Kong similar to the North American model but adapted to the local culture and conditions. Each year, professors from the School of Management go to Hong Kong to help teach this program.
Linked to the International MBA program are the International Exchange programs, which give business students a more global orientation by allowing them to complete their academic and professional endeavours in foreign business schools. Students thus discover other countries, new cultures and different customs. Still, despite its international focus, the School of Management pursues its commitment to excel in research and teaching and to serves as a valuable member of the business and government communities.
As Dean Malouin said: "Our mission is to advance management science practice in the public and private sectors by teaching not only high-quality management but also social and ethical values. We do so in both official languages, while promoting the highest possible standards of integrity, an international perspective and thorough, in-depth research."
In the year 2000, University of Ottawa welcomed a new Dean, Micheál J. Kelly, to the School of Management. It is during his second year in tenure that the Faculty of Administration adopted its current name, the School of Management.
May 8, 2007 the School of Management was renamed the Telfer School of Management through a $25 million naming gift by Ian Telfer, Chairman of Goldcorp Inc. and alumnus of the MBA program.
Programs
In keeping with its mandate to promote bilingualism and biculturalism in a multicultural environment, the University of Ottawa offers a full spectrum of dynamic undergraduate and graduate programs in both of Canada's official languages. These include pace-setting ventures in co-operative education.
The University's unique programming offers students the flexibility of completing assignments in English or French. The University also firmly believes in ensuring women and members of minority groups have access to education and the support systems they need to succeed.
In addition, it is committed to forging international links, offering international co-operation programs extending to Europe, Africa, Latin America and Asia.