The doors to Canada's newest university open

Classes at the new university, which was officially created by the Legislative Assembly of Ontario in June 2002, will begin on Thursday, September 4. The university has the distinction of being Ontario's first laptop-based university.

"This is a momentous event for Durham Region, Ontario and Canada," declared Dr. Gary Polonsky, president and vice-chancellor of the university. "The university is providing outstanding educational opportunities for students and more of the highly skilled professionals employers need. It will also help ease the provincial burden of the double cohort and become a respected centre of research."

The University of Ontario Institute of Technology offers innovative degree programs, accomplished faculty and deans from around the world, a new campus, and a steadfast commitment to providing students with a first-rate education and university experience, Polonsky added.

The university's first class of students, drawn from Ontario, Canada and internationally, numbers approximately 900. By 2010, the university's enrolment is projected to reach 6,500.

In 2003-04, the university offers nine career-focused bachelor's programs in Biological Science, Commerce, Education, Integrated Justice Studies, Manufacturing Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Nursing, Physical Science and Radiation Science. The Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Nuclear Engineering and the Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Radiation Science programs are unique in Canada.

Nineteen new programs are planned for 2004-05. As the university continues to grow, more undergraduate, as well as graduate and doctoral programs, will be added. In addition, the university intends to become Canada's cornerstone for research excellence.

Another outstanding feature of the new university is that it is Ontario's first laptop-based university. Each student at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology uses a current model of the IBM ThinkPad and classrooms and labs are fully networked. As well, major public areas of the campus feature wireless network access, enabling students to connect to the Internet, the student intranet and other electronic resources from just about anywhere on campus.

The university's first academic building and the first phase of a new residential village are ready for students. In addition, construction of two more academic buildings and a new, 55,000-square-foot campus library will be completed in 2004. Outdoor pathways and meeting places, along with a ground-floor colonnade to connect the library and academic buildings, will help create an atmosphere of a pedestrian-friendly academic village.

A world-class, year-round tennis centre and a championship, regulation soccer field will open this fall. Other athletic facilities, including a twin-pad arena, will be ready in 2005. Over the next few years, additional building will take place at the Oshawa campus. After 2006, additional facilities will be constructed, mostly on a beautifully treed, 160-hectare (400-acre) property directly north of the current campus.

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Media contact:

Catherine Shearer-Kudel
905.721.3111, ext. 2162
e-mail: catherine.shearer-kudel@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.

Media contact
Heather Middleton
Communications and Marketing
Ontario Tech University
905.721.3111, ext. 2513
heather.middleton@uoit.ca