UOIT scores high marks for high-tech learning environment

Following a comprehensive survey of more than 43,000 students across Canada, the Globe and Mail has issued a University Report Card that has awarded the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) an A plus for the quality of its technology, and listed the university on a list of five 'Hot' universities that are leading a technology wave.

Of the 53 Canadian universities profiled, UOIT was the only one to receive the highest possible grade in the technology category. The national newspaper's highly respected annual report card groups post-secondary institutions by enrolment and evaluates them in a number of categories, offering a comprehensive look at campuses.

In addition to technology, UOIT finished at the top of its enrolment group (4,000 to 12,000 students) for Buildings and Facilities (A-minus), Career Preparation (B plus) and Course Variety/Availability (B), and second in a number of other categories, including Student-Faculty Interaction (A), Quality of Teaching (A-minus), Campus Atmosphere (A-minus), Ease of Course Registration (A-minus), Student Residences (B plus), Student Services (B), and Extracurricular Activities (B). Among UOIT's other grades in the Globe report were an A for Class Size and A-minuses for Most Satisfied Students and Quality of Education.

"We take great pride and pleasure in these results because they are based on direct feedback from our students," said Dr. Ronald Bordessa, president of UOIT. "Everyone at UOIT, from the administration and academic leaders, to our student services and support staff, is committed to ensuring an outstanding educational experience for our students. We understand that our students will look back on their university years as among the most important of their lives and as such we are committed to helping them succeed inside the classroom and find rewarding student life opportunities outside of studies."

UOIT's national award-winning Mobile Learning program allows students to connect with professors and peers any time and from anywhere. The Globe's Hot List noted that as a laptop-based university, UOIT students use the course specific software that they will encounter on the job following graduation and professors use innovative tablet PCs that combine the computing power and wireless connectivity of a laptop with the portability of a pad of paper. Users can write directly on the screen, and, in the classroom, those notations can be projected for an entire class.

From globally experienced professors and a diverse range of unique and innovative undergraduate and graduate programs, to extensive student-life opportunities, a high-tech learning environment and the chance to gain valuable work experience with leading employers, UOIT's dynamic 21^st-century education prepares students to graduate as next-generation professionals. Its commitment to research excellence has resulted in millions of dollars in grants and funding, including five prestigious Canada Research Chairs, and opportunities for students to gain hands-on research experience, even at the undergraduate level, working on ideas that will impact society.

The Globe and Mail report card represents the third time this year that UOIT students have delivered outstanding grades for their post-secondary home. UOIT also received a strong endorsement through the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE), which surveyed first-year university students in five key benchmark areas. UOIT scored well ahead of universities in Ontario, its peer group from across Canada and the U.S., and the average score for all 557 participating institutions.

The NSSE report was followed by the Canadian University Survey Consortium (CUSC) that polled graduating students at 26 Canadian universities. The survey measured the level of satisfaction with various aspects of the university experience, including academics and the university's contribution to students' growth and development.

More details about the Globe's report are available at www.globeandmail.com/education. 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.