Dr. Airini (image credit - CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

TRU PRESIDENT

Airini installed as TRU president and vice-chancellor

Jun 25, 2025 | 4:53 PM

KAMLOOPS — The fifth president in Thompson Rivers University (TRU) history was installed on Wednesday (June 25) morning during a ceremony on the Kamloops campus.

Dr. Airini will take over from Brett Fairbairn — who has been in the role since 2018 — on July 1.

Airini will become both the first women and first Indigenous person in the position.

She is taking over at a turbulent time, as post secondary institutions across Canada are dealing with financial challenges and decreasing international enrolment.

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“Across Canada, universities today face unprecedented financial challenges,” Airini said. “At TRU, I believe we can meet this moment, not with retreat but with transformation. These challenges can become a catalyst for strategic, purposeful change.”

Airini transitioned from her burgundy and blue University of Saskatchewan robes into the blue and green of TRU, hearing speeches from those who helped guide her path to Kamloops and shape her vision for the universities future.

“Together, we can shape a future TRU that is a national leader leader in world-class applied education and research, deeply engage in solving the challenges of Interior B.C. and contributing value to national and global futures,” Airini said. “Together, we can shape a future TRU where vocational and academic education are unified, a university that is both academically excellent and accessible.”