The past year has brought us some very inspiring news. Here are some of the initiatives, investments, launches and other events that reflect the aspirations that define our community and redefine a diverse, inclusive and forward-looking campus.
January
5G campus opens a world of possibilities for uOttawa
The University of Ottawa will soon be one of the most connected universities in Canada thanks to a $6M partnership with TELUS Corporation, a dynamic and world-leading communications technology company, to modernize the campus with its 5G network, the fifth generation of wireless networks.
February
University of Ottawa continuing its efforts to reduce its carbon footprint
Following through on its commitment to making environmental sustainability a core tenet of its long-term investment strategy, the University of Ottawa has announced that it will divest all of its direct equity fossil fuel holdings by 2023 and all of its indirect holdings by 2030.
March
University of Ottawa invests $5M in the Francophonie on campus
The University is making a major investment of $5M over three years to support the Francophonie. The funding will enable the University to speed up the hiring of new professors, increase the number of programs offered in French, and revitalize community life so that the Francophonie can flourish on campus and beyond.
April
The School of Social Work at the Faculty of Social Sciences has passed a resolution ensuring that traditional Indigenous knowledge is integrated into its programs and teaching practices and that such knowledge is valued as equal to Western knowledge. This is the first step in a major effort to decolonize the School’s social work programs, research activities, teaching, training, and interventions.
May
The University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Medicine has launched a new partnership program to help address the under-representation of Inuit and Nunavummiut physicians in the Nunavut health care workforce.
June
Claudette Commanda becomes first Indigenous chancellor of the University of Ottawa
In June, First Nations activist Claudette Commanda was named chancellor. She is the first Indigenous leader appointed to the position since the University’s founding 174 years ago, and becomes the 15th person—and third woman—to serve in the role. She succeeded Calin Rovinescu, whose second term ended in the fall.
July
University of Ottawa investing $1.6M to support and diversify research chairs
In 2022, the University of Ottawa took steps to promote a culture of inclusion, diversity, equity and research excellence while eliminating barriers to participation for members of under-represented groups in research. In addition to two renewed chairs and four new internal chairs that were awarded at the beginning of the year, six other research chairs will promote research excellence at the University.
August
Official launch of new Certificate in Indigenous Laws program
Distinguished guests were on hand for the official launch of a new certificate program in Indigenous laws. They were joined by students from the new program’s very first cohort. The certificate in Indigenous laws, the first program of its kind to be taught in French in Canada, aims to honour and revitalize Indigenous legal orders, provide a more respectful welcome to Indigenous learners studying law at the University, and ensure access to justice and legal education for Indigenous peoples.
September
uOttawa takes quantum research to next level
Building on over 20 years of expertise, the University of Ottawa is taking quantum research on its campus to the next level. The University is creating an institute in quantum technologies to build on its expertise in materials science and photonics.
The new Nexus for Quantum Technologies Institute (NEXQT) will support innovation and commercialization initiatives in quantum sensing and imaging, quantum devices and IT, as well as several direct applications of quantum technology in secure communications, medicine and other fields.
October
uOttawa achieves best-ever placement in World Universities Rankings
Times Higher Education has published its prestigious 2023 university rankings, and the University of Ottawa has climbed 25 positions and improved its ranking among the best universities in the world (92nd centile)! The University now ranks 137th among more than 1,800 institutions, joining the top 140 universities in the world for the first time. And our Faculty of Medicine was placed 2nd in Canada for citations (and the Faculty has also excelled in various rankings).
November
Convocation ceremonies take place in person for first time since 2020
Twice a year, thousands of students receive their degrees. It’s always an emotional, unforgettable time filled with great joy and pride. We captured some of these precious moments during the Spring 2022 Convocation and Fall 2022 Convocation ceremonies.
December
The University is investing $1.2M to expand and modernize its Windsor campus. For 20 years, the Faculty of Education has offered teacher education programs in French at its Windsor campus, helping not only to make up for the shortfall of Francophone teachers, but also, in cooperation with local Francophone leaders, to revitalize the region’s French-language minority community.
Ongoing during the year...
Remarkable gifts for our future
This year, numerous donors invested in experiences and projects enabling us to rethink the future. Some of these remarkable gifts were:
- Transformational $5M gift from Susan and Perry Dellelce to revitalize student experience at uOttawa’s Faculty of Law, Common Law Section
- uOttawa Faculty of Arts launches sustainable cities initiative thanks to $1M donation
- Ian Telfer donates $750K value of gold coin he will toss to open the Panda Game
- $2.5M gift from BMO to establish Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Health and leading-edge health sciences facilities at uOttawa
- Landmark $5M gift from Camille Villeneuve promises to drive innovative results at uOttawa Faculty of Medicine and Telfer School of Management
This brief list of news provides a mere glimpse of some of the many highlights of 2022. Several of our researchers received prestigious awards and scholarships. For more information, check out the Gazette, the Newsroom and the Office of the Vice-President, Research and Innovation. If 2023 is anything like 2022, it promises to be a big year! Stay tuned!