The University of Ontario Institute of Technology in Oshawa is only 14 years old but has already cemented its reputation as a leader in research and innovation and a key economic driver.
The university is a tremendous asset to Durham Region.We have more than 70 unique research facilities and a flexible intellectual property model that makes it a dynamic resource for industry,” said Jennifer Freeman, director of research Services.
“We offer businesses our significant expertise and R&D capacity, along with supplying career-ready graduates to develop their workforce. There’s no question that UOIT enhances the region’s and the province’s competitive advantage.”
In fact, the university contributes more than $200 million to Ontario’s economy each year and generated almost 1,950 jobs in 2015 alone, two-thirds of them in Durham and Northumberland County. Faculty and students have founded 28 companies employing 240 people in the last three years alone.
While offering a broad range of programs in seven faculties, the university has specialized expertise in digital and information sciences, community health and wellness, energy, and the environment.
Its ACE wind tunnel is a one-of-a-kind facility used by companies large and small for testing and training in automotive, construction and engineering, defence, aerospace, emergency services, apparel, and energy sectors. ACE can replicate weather conditions from blizzard to desert, producing winds up to 300 km/h, temperatures from –40 C to 60 C, and humidity from 5% to 95%.
UOIT also boasts one of the world’s largest aquatic toxicology labs, the country’s only undergraduate nuclear engineering program and 11 Canada Research Chairs.
Among its CRCs are Dr. Carolyn McGregor, who is deploying a platform called Artemis at the bedsides of premature babies to rapidly analyze data to improve health outcomes, and Dr. Sheldon Williamson, who uses solar power to charge vehicle batteries.
Engineering researchers are also part of a partnership demonstrating the first large-scale microgrid at a Canadian university. Its purpose is to provide critical power to hospitals, military sites and other crucial infrastructure during emergencies.
Established in 2003 to support a growing local economy, UOIT’s enrolment has grown from 900 to more than 10,000 undergraduates, masters and PhD students today. The university has a strong presence in Oshawa’s downtown and an expanding greenfield campus in the city’s north.
Founding principles of UOIT include work-integrated learning and accelerated pathways for those with college diplomas to earn degrees.
“We provide a unique training ground for employees and entrepreneurs of the future,” said Susan McGovern, Vice-President, External Relations and Advancement.
“That talent is crucial for businesses in our community, along with the access to our faculty who can provide extensive expertise in their fields. We are very deliberate in our applied research and partnerships.”
