Dean's Message

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Welcome to the Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences (ALES). If you’re committed to providing solutions to global challenges and improving quality of life – whether by feeding the world, ensuring a healthy environment, or strengthening individual and community well-being – you’ve come to the right place. Together, our network studies the entirety of the human experience. 

To look at the big picture you have to be, well, big. Our large community of innovators and influencers are engaged in teaching and research on the U of A campuses, research labs and 25,000 acres of farm and ranch land spanning Alberta. That’s before you consider our nearly 20,000 alumni, who go on to impact communities, businesses and industry in the province and far beyond. We’ve demonstrated we have what it takes to tackle big goals, and we have potential in spades.

We are dedicated to improving the world around us as it continues to change and face existing and emerging challenges. We play an important role in research and innovation, and by empowering students to work in high demand areas, we’re bolstering the current and future workforce. Our eager, outstanding students know the importance of this work and come to us keen to apply themselves inside and outside the classroom. Through award-winning teaching, hands-on learning and high-impact research with our external partners, we are confident that ALES faculty, staff, researchers and students will move the needle. 

I’m excited to serve as your dean to help steward this next stage of growth and development. Fortunately, it appears to be in the fabric of ALES to pull together, and I have been welcomed with enthusiasm to move the faculty forward. As we start to think about what that future vision will look like, I will call upon all of you – students, alumni, faculty and community and industry partners – to have your say on that next big picture. Watch for more information and invitations to participate in a way that’s relevant to you. I hope you’re as excited as I am about what’s ahead. Please be in touch if you have any questions or suggestions. I look forward to embarking on this journey with you.

Best wishes,
Rickey 

Rickey Yada 
Dean, Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences