The University of Waterloo is Research University of the Year among Canadian comprehensive universities eight years running, according to rankings that Research Infosource released today.
"The University of Waterloo is defining innovation in Canada with a unique blend of scholarship, real-world work experiences and a uniquely entrepreneurial culture," said Feridun Hamdullahpur, president and vice-chancellor of Waterloo. "This ranking, which we are so proud to receive for the eighth consecutive year, demonstrates the impact and calibre of the work of researchers and students who are bringing us closer to realizing our goal of being one of the world's top innovation universities."
According to Canada's Top 50 Research Universities, published by Research Infosource, Waterloo is first among Canadian comprehensive universities for its research input combined with impact. The majority of university research is conducted at institutions in the Medical/Doctoral category. Waterloo does not have a medical school yet it attracted more than $177 million in research income last year. This number represents an increase of 6.3 per cent.
Considered one of Canada's leading consulting firms for organizations with interests in science, technology, and innovation, the firm ranks top research universities in three categories: Medical/Doctoral, Comprehensive, and Undergraduate. The group measures institutions based on research input and output/impact.
In international rankings, Waterloo has also made gains in 2015, including rising 17 places to be ranked 152nd in the world, according to the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings. Earlier this year, QS ranked Waterloo 20th in the world for its work in Mathematics, 24th in the world for Computer Science, and 48th for Geography. The Academic Ranking of World Universities also ranked Waterloo 47th in the Engineering field. Waterloo recently ranked tenth in the world in the Parchment Student Choice College Rankings 2016 that ranks schools based on student enrolment decisions. PitchBook ranked the University the top school in Canada for venture-capital backed entrepreneurs. Waterloo experienced the largest rise among Canadian universities in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings, where it placed 179th in the world.
Earlier this year, Waterloo and the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands signed a new collaboration agreement on research and education that aims to advance the field of quantum computing. Waterloo and Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, one of the world's top engineering schools, will introduce dual doctoral degrees in engineering that will allow select students to simultaneously earn a PhD from each institution.
Research at the University of Waterloo continues to make significant strides, including:
- A lipid in avocados combats acute myeloid leukemia (AML) by targeting the root of the disease - leukemia stem cells -- and may hold the answer to beating the disease.
- A drug-delivery system that uses nanoparticles to allow patients to use less eye medication.
- A wave property of neutrons, Orbital Angular Momentum (OAM), can be controlled, which means that researchers can now use neutron OAM beams to see inside materials that optical, x-ray or electron OAM beams can't penetrate.
- The discovery of a material that maintains a rechargable sulphur cathode that helps to overcome a primary hurdle to building a lithium-sulphur (Li-S) battery.
- The convenience of our smartphones makes it easy for us to avoid thinking for ourselves.
- Microbeads pose a larger risk to the Great Lakes than previously thought.
- Invasive species find ways to reproduce even when their populations are low.
- Certain positions are better than others when it comes to avoiding back pain after scientists have successfully documented the way the spine moves during sex.
- Finding ways for golden eagles and wind turbines to coexist.
More detail on Canada's Top 50 Research Universities is available at http://www.researchinfosource.com.
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