The University of Calgary

The University of Calgary is a comprehensive research university that, in its short 39-year history , has grown to take its place among the finest institutions in Canada. Combining the best of long-established university traditions with the City of Calgary's vibrant energy and diversity, the university aims to provide a research and scholarly foundation for students eager to acquire the knowledge and skills essential for a successful personal and professional life.

Our 213-hectare campus is a beautiful and dynamic setting for scholars in 17 faculties, 53 departments and more than 30 research institutes and centres. Our 1,917 full-time equivalent teaching and research faculty are actively engaged in research and scholarship. With over 2,500 full-time equivalent support staff, the university is Calgary's fourth largest employer.

Nearly 28,000 full-time equivalent students, including 900 international students from 87 countries, are enrolled in undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs. The university has graduated more than 100,000 alumni.

As one of Canada's top seven research universities, innovation, discovery and learning are at the heart of all that we do. Our relentless pursuit of quality in our teaching and research programs is guided by our mission to contribute to the well being of the people of Alberta, Canada and the world.

The university belongs to 17 Networks of Centres of Excellence, an innovative national approach to research and development designed to develop Canada's economy and improve the quality of life for Canadians. About 75 chairs and professorships in such areas as American studies, schizophrenia, project management, cancer and intelligent manufacturing attract renowned scholars and leading researchers to the U of C.

More than 30 endowed chairs are supported jointly by government and industry. Revenues from sponsored research (including deferred revenue) have more than doubled in the last five years to $282 million. Research brings significant benefits provincially, nationally and internationally, and is the foundation of Alberta's economic and social vitality. It is core to the university's teaching and research mandate. Our vision, with the help of our stakeholders and partners, is to achieve a place among the top five research universities in Canada by 2010.

With that goal in mind, the university offers quality undergraduate education that is characterized by the synthesis of research, teaching and learning. We mean to enhance the undergraduate learners' experience by using a student-centred focus that maximizes opportunities to provide a distinctive learning experience that fully integrates the features of a research university. The university is broadening opportunities for students to take inquiry-based courses that lead to greater critical thinking skills, increased exposure to research methods and greater access to leading edge scholars.

Our efforts have raised our global profile, enhanced the quality of our undergraduate and graduate programs, promoted innovation and excellence in scholarly activity and provided significant returns and tangible benefits to our community and economy.