Raymond Thberge named new university president

Raymond Thberge will start a five-year term as the president and vice-chancellor of the University of Moncton starting on June 1.

Thberge, who is originally from Manitoba, works for the province of Ontario as an assistant deputy minister.

Thberge said he has spent quite a bit of time in Moncton, teaching at the university and taking part in conferences.

He said he already feels a connection to the community.

"I've spent most of my career working in minority language situations and in that world, l'Universit de Moncton is recognized as one of the best universities," Thberge said.

"It's the largest francophone university outside of Quebec and has a wide range of programs and it's also a univeristy that's grown substantially in the last number of years. It has a lot of potential and it serves a very vibrant community and it's a great place to go."

Thberge will replace outgoing presdient and vice-chancellor Yvon Fontaine.

The university, which was founded in 1963,has 160 different courses and 6,200 students.

The university has campuses in Moncton, Edmundston and Shippagan.