Published by Communications and Public Affairs (519) 824-4120, Ext. 56982 or 53338
News Release
November 04, 2004
U of G top research university once again
For the third year in a row, the University of Guelph was named Canada’s top comprehensive “Research University of the Year” by an independent national consulting firm.
In a report released today, Research Infosource Inc. ranked Canada’s top 50 research universities on both financial input and research output. Universities were divided into three categories: medical/doctoral, comprehensive and undergraduate, and the rating was based on a point system, with 100 being the highest possible score. Half the points were based on total sponsored research income and research intensity of both faculty and graduate students; the other half were awarded for number of publications in leading journals. U of G received a total score of 83.7.
In addition to the No. 1 ranking among comprehensive schools, Guelph earned top honours in its division for total sponsored research income and publication intensity, and was ranked seventh overall among Canadian universities in all three categories.
“It is very rewarding for the university to receive this national recognition once again,” said Alan Wildeman, vice-president (research). “Our national reputation contributes to a strong foundation that supports the international breadth of our research. Our faculty, staff and students continue to distinguish themselves in Canada and around the world for both the intensity and magnitude of their work. Our success is attributable both to the quality of all the creative research done at Guelph and to the large number of organizations that promote many of our programs.”
President Alastair Summerlee called the ranking “a remarkable achievement, even more so this year than in previous years because of the extra pressures of the double cohort.” U of G took in a large share of extra students last fall, about 600 above its original enrolment target. As a result, adjustments had to be made to teaching and research plans so the University could accommodate the growth and maintain a high-quality educational experience, he said.
“Our faculty and staff understand the inherent connection between research and teaching. They tailored their research schedules around the needs of our students and the university, without compromising either the calibre of teaching or the excellence of their work. Our No. 1 ranking is testimony to that.”
Research Infosource Inc. also published a second report today, its annual Top 50 Research Universities List, which ranks Canadian universities based on its sponsored research income. That report said U of G’s research income exceeded $113 million in the 2003 fiscal year, placing it 13th among all Canadian universities. Guelph was the only institution without a medical school to report a research budget in excess of $100 million.
The Research Infosource report is the most recent national survey that gives U of G top honours. On Oct. 13, Guelph 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.
Research Infosource Inc. is a division of The Impact Group, an organization that provides information about the research activities of Canadian companies, universities and governments.
For media questions, contact Communications and Public Affairs: Lori Bona Hunt (519) 824-4120, Ext. 53338, or Rachelle Cooper, Ext. 56982.
