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From parks to restored natural habitats, landscape architects help sustainably shape the outdoor spaces that connect people and land. While the discipline has traditionally relied on hands-on, human-centered methods, it has been slower to adopt emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) or augmented reality. OAC’s Afshin Ashari, assistant professor in the School of Environmental Design and Rural Development, is working to change that.

International student, Naifah Putri gained technical skills and hands-on experiences from OAC’s Master’s in Environmental Science, leading to a role as a sustainability auditor. immediately after her graduation.

When you think of a healthy egg-laying hen, the microscopic organisms in her gut might not be the first thing that comes to mind. For University of Guelph PhD in Animal Biosciences student Lea Nicklas, these organisms, known collectively as the microbiota, are where the story begins.

Nicklas, a PhD candidate in the Department of Animal Biosciences at the Ontario Agricultural College (OAC), is exploring the link between a hen’s gut microbiota and their mental health and stress. This important connection might reduce one of the poultry industry’s most persistent animal welfare challenges - feather pecking.

The Ontario Agricultural College (OAC) is pleased to announce that Dr. Christine Baes has been appointed Associate Dean (External Relations), effective January 1, 2026, for a five-year term.

The OAC community mourns the passing of Philip Gosling, a long-time supporter of environmental conservation, who passed away on December 3, 2025, at the age of 97.

https://www.shanghairanking.com/rankings/gras/2025/AS0303The University of Guelph has been ranked as one of the top universities in the world for agricultural science and food science, according to the Global Ranking of Academic Subjects by Shanghai Ranking Consultancy.  

The Ontario Agricultural College (OAC) recently brought leaders from some of Canada’s largest protein companies to campus for a focused conversation on the future of protein. The goal of the event was to connect business, government and research partners to help position Canada as a global leader in the growing market.

Canada’s only master’s program in rural planning and development answering high demand for planners 

The University of Guelph has once again ranked sixth among Canada’s 15 comprehensive universities, a reflection of its academic excellence, robust research programming and campus community. The ranking, from Maclean’s 2026 evaluation of the country’s post-secondary institutions, is based on a five-metric system that includes students, faculty, resources, student support and reputation.

Dr. Mike Dixon, professor emeritus in the School of Environmental Sciences (SES), Ontario Agricultural College and director of the University’s Controlled Environment Systems Research Facility, and colleagues Drs. Youbin Zheng and Thomas Graham, SES, have received the NSERC Synergy Award for Innovation.