UOIT welcomes federal budget's significant investment in research excellence
March 20, 2007
New funding will provide more opportunities for innovative work at UOIT
OSHAWA, Ont. - A commitment of hundreds of millions of dollars in yesterday's federal budget to spur on postsecondary initiatives is being applauded by the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT), which in less than four years has gained a national reputation for research excellence and innovation that will help Canada grow globally in the years to come.
UOIT is particularly pleased by Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty's announcement of an additional $85 million per year through the federal granting councils for research targeted on health sciences, energy, the environment, information and communications technologies and management, and business and finance. Each of these federal priorities falls within UOIT's core focus on science, engineering, technology and business, areas critical for future global growth.
"We are very pleased by the recognition and importance the Honourable Jim Flaherty has placed on postsecondary education, and in particular, research," said Dr. Ronald Bordessa, president of UOIT. "UOIT agrees that a comprehensive research and development strategy must be in place to ensure Canada's future as a world leader. Whether our focus is on developing hydrogen-from-nuclear or fuel-cell technologies, improving network security or understanding youth crime, UOIT is committed to offering faculty and students increased opportunities to pursue innovative work that will directly impact society."
UOIT also welcomed the $510 million allocated to the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) to undertake another major competition before 2010, which includes support for the modernization of research infrastructure at Canadian universities. Since the university's inception, UOIT researchers have earned hundreds of thousands of dollars in CFI grants.
Finally, the budget commits an additional $15 million in 2007/2008 growing to $27 million by 2009/2010 to help 1,000 more graduate students cover the costs of their education. This measure will ensure that more students can pursue graduate studies at UOIT, which is developing new graduate programs every year, some of them unique to Ontario and Canada.
"We are encouraged by the new investments being made possible by the budget and we expect that these measures will help UOIT achieve its objectives of ensuring quality education for its students and supporting its local communities, Ontario, and Canada as we move forward together in the 21st-century economy," said Dr. Bordessa.
UOIT has earned millions of dollars in grants over the last few years through the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the CFI, and the Canada Research Chairs (CRC) program. This funding is enabling the university to conduct innovative and groundbreaking work in areas such as aquatic toxicology, innovative design engineering, the directing of cancer-fighting drugs to tumours, the use of solar cells in the generation of electricity, and be part of a multi-institutional, super-performance computing network.
Additional postsecondary highlights of the budget include:
About UOIT
As an innovative university, UOIT delivers a leading-edge learning environment that uniquely combines academic knowledge, research opportunities, hands-on skills and a vibrant student life. UOIT's 4,300 students are taught by professors who are experts in their fields from around the world. As Ontario's first laptop-based university, UOIT offers more than 30 challenging undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the fields of Business and Information Technology, Criminology, Justice and Policy Studies, Education, Engineering, Health Sciences, and Sciences. UOIT's commitment to research excellence has resulted in millions of dollars in grants and awards, including several Canada Research Chairs. To find out more, visit www.uoit.ca or call 905.721.8668.
OSHAWA, Ont. - A commitment of hundreds of millions of dollars in yesterday's federal budget to spur on postsecondary initiatives is being applauded by the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT), which in less than four years has gained a national reputation for research excellence and innovation that will help Canada grow globally in the years to come.
UOIT is particularly pleased by Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty's announcement of an additional $85 million per year through the federal granting councils for research targeted on health sciences, energy, the environment, information and communications technologies and management, and business and finance. Each of these federal priorities falls within UOIT's core focus on science, engineering, technology and business, areas critical for future global growth.
"We are very pleased by the recognition and importance the Honourable Jim Flaherty has placed on postsecondary education, and in particular, research," said Dr. Ronald Bordessa, president of UOIT. "UOIT agrees that a comprehensive research and development strategy must be in place to ensure Canada's future as a world leader. Whether our focus is on developing hydrogen-from-nuclear or fuel-cell technologies, improving network security or understanding youth crime, UOIT is committed to offering faculty and students increased opportunities to pursue innovative work that will directly impact society."
UOIT also welcomed the $510 million allocated to the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) to undertake another major competition before 2010, which includes support for the modernization of research infrastructure at Canadian universities. Since the university's inception, UOIT researchers have earned hundreds of thousands of dollars in CFI grants.
Finally, the budget commits an additional $15 million in 2007/2008 growing to $27 million by 2009/2010 to help 1,000 more graduate students cover the costs of their education. This measure will ensure that more students can pursue graduate studies at UOIT, which is developing new graduate programs every year, some of them unique to Ontario and Canada.
"We are encouraged by the new investments being made possible by the budget and we expect that these measures will help UOIT achieve its objectives of ensuring quality education for its students and supporting its local communities, Ontario, and Canada as we move forward together in the 21st-century economy," said Dr. Bordessa.
UOIT has earned millions of dollars in grants over the last few years through the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the CFI, and the Canada Research Chairs (CRC) program. This funding is enabling the university to conduct innovative and groundbreaking work in areas such as aquatic toxicology, innovative design engineering, the directing of cancer-fighting drugs to tumours, the use of solar cells in the generation of electricity, and be part of a multi-institutional, super-performance computing network.
Additional postsecondary highlights of the budget include:
- An additional $800 million per year for postsecondary education, beginning in 2008/2009; and
- $350 million in 2006/2007 and the next two years to support leading Centres of Excellence in Commercialization and Research.
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About UOIT
As an innovative university, UOIT delivers a leading-edge learning environment that uniquely combines academic knowledge, research opportunities, hands-on skills and a vibrant student life. UOIT's 4,300 students are taught by professors who are experts in their fields from around the world. As Ontario's first laptop-based university, UOIT offers more than 30 challenging undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the fields of Business and Information Technology, Criminology, Justice and Policy Studies, Education, Engineering, Health Sciences, and Sciences. UOIT's commitment to research excellence has resulted in millions of dollars in grants and awards, including several Canada Research Chairs. To find out more, visit www.uoit.ca or call 905.721.8668.
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
Tony Doyle
Communications and Marketing
Ontario Tech University
905.721.3111 ext. 2209
tony.doyle@uoit.ca
