Six months until Canada's newest university opens

Career-focused students will have laptop-based learning environment

Oshawa, Ont. - In less than six months, Canada's newest university will make history by welcoming its first class of students. With most of its first-year faculty hired, its programs developed, and new academic and residence buildings taking shape, the University of Ontario Institute of Technology in Oshawa, Ontario will be ready for students in September.

"We're very excited about the development of our university and we're closer than ever to realizing our vision of pioneering innovative education," says Gary Polonksy, founding president of the University of Ontario Institute of Technology.

The publicly-funded university is proud to have received about 4,300 applications to its nine degree programs and will accept between 700 and 1,000 first-year students. Over the next few months, offers of admission will be sent to students. The university also offers part-time studies in its engineering, science, justice, and business programs.

"We've attracted highly innovative, research-oriented faculty from universities around the world who will provide students with an excellent education and ultimately, a competitive advantage through our laptop-based learning environment," says Dr. Michael Finlayson, provost of the University of Ontario Institute of Technology.

The first phase of the university campus is being built at the Oshawa campus of Durham College. Construction of the University of Ontario Institute of Technology's first academic building will be completed in August. The five-storey, 114,000-square-foot academic building will feature a 250-seat lecture theatre, 10 tiered lecture halls, six classrooms, four research labs, meeting rooms, lounges and offices for deans, faculty and staff. These learning spaces will be fully networked as part of our laptop-based learning environment and Ontario's first laptop-based university.

"Our students will use the latest educational technologies to ensure that they have the skills needed in tomorrow's workplace," says Polonsky.

A vibrant student life is an important part of the new university's experience. New athletic facilities including a world-class tennis centre and championship regulation soccer field will be ready for students in August. Completion of these facilities will signal the first phase of major new athletic facilities to be built on campus.

The student-centred campus is modelled on the concept of an academic village with outdoor quadrangles, connected interior and exterior walkways promoting interaction among students and professors, and a reflecting pond which can be used for skating in winter. The university will comprise seven new buildings, with the last phase completed in 2006.The campus is bordered to the north and west by rolling countryside and will boast many green spaces and meeting places.

All first-year students are guaranteed a place in residence. A new two-bedroom suite residence overlooking a conservation area will be ready for students in September.

Interested students, family members and friends are invited to visit the campus during its March Break open house from March 14 to 15. For more information, to schedule an appointment for a campus tour or to meet with a dean, call 1.866.844.8648, e-mail admissions@uoit.ca or visit www.uoit.ca.

About Ontario Tech University
A modern, forwarding-thinking university, Ontario Tech advances the discovery and application of knowledge to accelerate economic growth, regional development and social innovation. We inspire and equip our students and our graduates to make a positive impact in a tech-focused world. For us, it’s not only about developing the next tech breakthrough. Understanding and integrating the social and ethical implications of technology differentiates us as university. Learn more at ontariotechu.ca.