Graduating students find great satisfaction at UOIT

National university survey finds UOIT overwhelmingly meeting needs of students

OSHAWA, ON. - Graduating students at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) are overwhelmingly satisfied with their educational experience at UOIT, ranking the university at the head of the class in a broad range of areas, according to the results of an extensive national survey.

During 2006 and 2007, the Canadian University Survey Consortium (CUSC) polled graduating students at 26 Canadian universities to measure their level of satisfaction with various aspects of their university experience, including academics and their university's contribution to their growth and development. At UOIT, students delivered strong endorsements for the university's program quality, faculty, general facilities and services, and more.

"The CUSC results are a tremendous accomplishment for UOIT and a testament to the resolute commitment by all members of faculty, staff and administration to ensure the success of each of our students," said Dr. Ronald Bordessa, president of UOIT. "To have this historic class of graduates report such an extraordinarily high level of satisfaction reaffirms that the vision and principles upon which UOIT was founded are continuing to resonate with students."

UOIT's globally experienced professors scored high on a number of questions that examined their impact on students. When asked about faculty knowledge of their disciplines, 75 percent of UOIT students said it contributed very much to their personal growth and development, compared with 60 percent for all university students and 68 percent for UOIT's comparator group, which is made up of universities that primarily offer undergraduate studies and have smaller student populations. In terms of faculty enthusiasm for subject material, 71 percent of UOIT students said it contributed very much to their personal growth and development, while the results were 58 percent for all students and 64 percent for the comparator group.

"UOIT is very proud to have world-class faculty members who use their vast amounts of experience from around the globe to share with and inspire our students to greater accomplishments," said Dr. Richard Marceau, provost of UOIT. "Having one of the highest rates of professors with PhDs also provides a distinct advantage to our students, as do the extensive opportunities for undergraduate students to take part in innovative hands-on research work."

In terms of general facilities, UOIT once again led the way. In the area of computer facilities, 90 percent of UOIT students were very satisfied or satisfied, compared with 86 percent of all students surveyed and 85 percent for UOIT's comparator group. The survey results also confirmed the career-focused education provided at UOIT. Half of respondents (51 percent) indicated that they would recommend UOIT to others because of the relevance of its programs for job opportunities versus 31 percent for all students and 30 percent for the comparator group. More than half of UOIT respondents (55 percent) indicated that online instruction contributed very much to their personal growth and development. This figure was more than double the amount for the all student group (22 percent) and comparator group (20 percent) - findings that are a very strong endorsement of the university's mobile learning program.

Students were impressed by UOIT's ability to help them feel comfortable on campus. When asked if they felt that they were a part of the university, 80 percent of students strongly agreed or agreed, versus 71 percent for all students and 76 percent for the comparator group. Two-thirds of UOIT respondents (66 percent) felt they were treated as individuals by the university versus 52 percent for all students and 63 percent for the comparator group.

Finally, when it came to reasons for recommending UOIT to others, 87 percent of students cited program flexibility/quality/availability, compared with 73 percent for all students and 72 percent for the comparator group. The second most popular reason given in the survey for recommending a university was professors. At UOIT, 82 percent of UOIT students cited faculty as a reason to recommend the university, versus 68 percent for all students and 78 percent for the comparator group.

The CUSC results follow UOIT's strong National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) numbers, which were released in February. The NSSE surveyed first-year university students in five key benchmark areas, with UOIT scoring well ahead of universities in Ontario, its peer group from across Canada and the U.S., and the average of all 557 participating institutions.

"We're extremely pleased and encouraged by the results of these two surveys," added Dr. Bordessa. "It's important to note that these results reflect the views of both first- and graduating-year students, providing further evidence that UOIT students are challenged and inspired from the day they arrive on campus, until their graduation as the next-generation professionals of tomorrow."

The CUSC co-ordinates undergraduate satisfaction surveys across Canada on a three-year cycle (first-year students, all students and graduating students in succession). UOIT was fortunate to participate in the graduating student survey out of sequence. It also participated in the first-year survey earlier in 2007 with results scheduled to be available this summer.

To read a full report of UOIT's CUSC survey results, visit www.uoit.ca/assets/Section~specific/About~UOIT/CUSC%202007%20Report.pdf.

For more on the NSSE results, visit www.uoit.ca/EN/main2/about/news_events/news_archives/news_releases/192350/20070214.html.

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.