Newest GTA university touts degrees with jobs - making the grade with students and employers

OSHAWA, ON. - With plenty of room to grow and a track record of offering a new type of degree that has put it at the top of satisfaction surveys with students and employers, the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) is welcoming the release of a report that examines ways to meet the expected surge in undergraduate enrolment in the years ahead.

The Higher Education Quality Council of Ontario (HEQCO) recently released Degrees of Opportunity: Broadening Student Access by Increasing Institutional Differentiation in Ontario Higher Education, a report by Dr. Glen Jones and Dr. Michael Skolnik. It looks at the current gaps in Ontario's post-secondary education system while also considering alternative ways to meet the significant increase expected in enrolment.

UOIT's unique career-focused approach to today's competitive, post-secondary education environment is the edge Ontario needs.

"UOIT always appreciates the opportunity to discuss the ways we can ensure we have a truly accessible university system here in the GTA, particularly as the provincial government begins to grapple with a much greater demand for undergraduate seats in the years ahead," said Dr. Ronald Bordessa, UOIT president. "There is an aggressive public policy agenda demanding excellence in education, research, innovation and jobs. Everything we do at UOIT is geared to meeting the unprecedented global competition to be home to the innovative industries that produce those jobs."

A stroll through UOIT's pristinely new buildings, flooded with daylight, is a testament to the phrase laptop-based university. The campus is like being in one enormous computer lab; students with computers in laps dot the landscape indoors and out.

"We know that IT literacy is no longer a stand-alone skill. It's an essential in every discipline and so we've built it into every program," said Dr. Bordessa.

Another example of UOIT's edge hovers high above the ground in the form of a 10-storey crane overlooking the construction of what will be one of the world's most cutting-edge centres of automotive research, design and training. The General Motors of Canada Automotive Centre of Excellence will design the cars of tomorrow - clean, green and viable.

Clean and green are at the core of UOIT's research and academic pursuits. Wind power to solar, to nuclear, hydrogen and more are all under the microscope.

"We know that energy is at the forefront of the economic renewal of any society and our programs are well ahead of the curve. We have all the approvals and plans for a new building to house the energy studies that will power our society into the future," added Dr. Bordessa.

In addition, at points across campus, the world's foremost experts in cyber safety and security are steadfastly working to stay one step ahead of cybercriminals from across the globe. UOIT is working with law enforcement officials and industry to introduce new partnerships, leading-edge software and other tools that will blunt this rapidly growing field of crime.

UOIT's academic calendar reads like a list of the jobs and careers that will ensure Ontario's prosperity in the new economy - a vast array of undergraduate and graduate programs, many unique in Ontario and Canada, in the areas of Business, Criminology and Justice, Communication, Education, Engineering and Applied Science, Health Science, Information Technology, Nuclear Science, Policy Studies and Science.

UOIT also has several agreements in place with partner post-secondary institutions, making it easier than ever for students to bridge between a college and university education. College graduates receive advanced standing in a number of UOIT degree programs including Commerce, Criminology and Justice, Legal Studies and Health Sciences. Increasing pathways is particularly important to the university, given the current economic climate, as thousands of Ontarians deal with layoffs. Many want an opportunity to have their college education and professional experience applied toward a degree so they can find new and rewarding careers and help Ontario build its reputation as a global leader. UOIT is committed to helping them realize their dreams.

High-tech learning, career-focused degrees, a clean and green foundation that continues to expand and so much more - it all adds up to success for students, a healthier, more diversified economy for employers and a stronger, world-leading Ontario.

For more information, visit www.uoit.ca/edge.

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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 more than 5,500 students are taught by professors who are experts in their fields from around the world. As Ontario's first laptop-based university, the university offers a diverse array of challenging undergraduate and graduate degree programs through its faculties of Business and Information Technology; Criminology, Justice and Policy Studies; Education; Energy Systems and Nuclear Science; Engineering and Applied Science; Health Sciences; and Science. UOIT's commitment to research excellence has resulted in millions of dollars in grants and awards, including five 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
905.721.8668 ext. 2209
tony.doyle@uoit.ca