Published by Communications and Public Affairs (519) 824-4120, Ext. 56982 or 53338
News Release
November 04, 2003
U of G named Canadian Research University of the Year
The University of Guelph was named the Canadian comprehensive “Research University of the Year” today in a report by Research Infosource Inc. published in the National Post. U of G also received top honours in its division for overall research-intensiveness.
The report named one “Research University of the Year” in each of three categories: medical, comprehensive and undergraduate. Winners of this new ranking were determined based on criteria that included total financial input and research output. “This was done to obtain a more balanced picture of how universities are performing,” said Ron Freedman, CEO of Research Infosource Inc., a division of The Impact Group, a consulting firm that provides information about the research activities of Canadian companies, universities and governments.
The report also ranked Canada’s top 50 research universities for research intensity, sponsored research income and number of full-time faculty. U of G was first among comprehensive universities (those with a significant amount of research activity and a wide range of programs at the graduate and undergraduate levels) and 13th overall. Guelph is the only university without a medical school that reported a research budget in excess of $100 million.
“It's very gratifying to be distinguished both for our research intensity and for the broad spectrum of discovery and scholarship that is being generated by our professors, researchers and students," said Alan Wildeman, vice-president (research). "It is equally gratifying to know that our university is a vibrant part of the great research and innovation that is happening in universities across Canada."
The report said U of G’s research income exceeded $113 million in the 2002 fiscal year, a nearly 7 per cent increase from the previous year. The university also had a per-faculty research funding average of $166,700.
“This national recognition is a tribute to the success and dedication of our faculty and researchers, including our graduate students,” said president Alastair Summerlee. “They cross disciplines and collaborate in the pursuit of knowledge and excellence, and understand that there is an inherent connection between research and learning. They complement their scholarly work with a devotion to teaching, which is evident in our reputation for strengths in both areas.”
The Infosource Inc. ranking is the latest in a series of national external reports that draw attention to Guelph’s quality of teaching, research and student support. On Oct. 15, U of G was ranked the No. 1 university in Canada for campus atmosphere and technology resources in the University Report Card, a survey of Canadian undergraduates published by the Globe and Mail. Earlier in the month, U of G was named the country’s top comprehensive university and second among all institutions in public accountability and external reporting in the annual Canadian University Accountability Survey.
For media questions, contact Communications and Public Affairs: Lori Bona Hunt, (519) 824-4120, Ext. 53338, or Rachelle Cooper, (519) 824-4120, Ext. 56982.
