Barnard received a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Toronto in 1973, followed by a Master of Science degree in 1975, and a Ph.D. in 1981, all in Computer Science.[4]
Barnard also holds a Diploma of Christian Studies (Dip.C.S.) in theological studies from Regent College, University of British Columbia, and a Master of Laws from Osgoode Hall, York University.[5]
He began his academic career at Queen's University in 1977, eventually becoming a Professor in the Computing and Information Science Department.[4]
In 1996, he was appointed Vice-President (Administration) and Controller at the University of Regina, where he went on to serve as President and Vice-Chancellor from 1998 to 2005. From 2005 to 2008, he was the COO and Chief Technology Officer of iQmetrix.[4]
Barnard began serving a five-year term as president and vice-chancellor of University of Manitoba in 2008. In 2011, Barnard made a formal statement of apology and reconciliation to residential school survivors in front of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, the first leader of a post-secondary institution to do so.[6] He was appointed to a second five-year term in 2013 and his term was extended for two more years in 2016.[7] His term ended on June 30, 2020.[8] He was subsequently appointed President Emeritus by the University of Manitoba Board of Governors.[6]
Some of the institutions that Barnard was or is currently a board member of include:[4][9][5]