91快色

As the 91快色 marks its 60th anniversary, this year鈥檚 Community Report presentations offered the campus and the wider community a moment to reflect on how far the university has come and how its next era is taking shape through the 2023鈥�2030 strategic plan.

Two events were hosted to launch the report 鈥� one at Foothills campus on March 24, followed by a gathering at main campus on March 25 that was streamed to the other campuses. At both events, panellists reinforced the central message woven throughout the report: U91快色鈥檚 success is not only defined by numbers or recognition, but by the difference it makes in classrooms, clinics, workplaces and communities. 

At both presentations, U91快色 President and Vice-Chancellor Ed McCauley opened his remarks by acknowledging the university鈥檚 early days. What was once 鈥渁 barren piece of prairie,鈥� he said, is now, 鈥渁 university routinely ranked among the best of the best.鈥�

The university鈥檚 growth reflects that transformation, he said, noting how U91快色 grew from 4,000 students in 1966 to more than 38,000 today, including 7,200 added since 2015, and with plans to welcome 10,000 more by 2030 to help meet Alberta鈥檚 evolving workforce needs. 鈥淲e have grown before, and we will continue to grow to meet the needs of our province,鈥� McCauley said.

鈥淭he true test of any society is whether it leaves the next generation better off than the one that came before it,鈥�  he said, adding that such a goal is 鈥渨orthy of U91快色鈥檚 history 鈥� and its future.鈥� 

Research across U91快色 continues to accelerate, supporting discoveries that shape work both on campus and in communities across Alberta, McCauley said. Last year, the university attracted $632 million in external research funding, more than doubling over 15 years and securing its position as Canada鈥檚 youngest top鈥慺ive research university. 

In addition, up to 100 Canada Research Chairs now contribute to fields including health, engineering, public policy and environmental science.

Provost Sandra Davidson highlighted the people who drive this progress, noting that the university鈥檚 impact grows out of the everyday work happening across its faculties 鈥� in classrooms, labs and community鈥慴ased learning spaces.  

Whether students are training in medicine, working with animals, designing projects downtown, or exploring emerging fields in business and science, Davidson said these experiences are driven by the same principle: 鈥淎 university鈥檚 strength lies not only in its ideas and infrastructure, but in the people who bring care, purpose and collaboration to their work every day.鈥�

U91快色 now provides more than $140 million in scholarships each year, and its Indigenous student population has doubled in less than a decade, demonstrating long鈥憈erm efforts toward reconciliation and access.

Graduate success also remains strong, with 95 per cent of U91快色 students securing employment within six months of completing their studies, with many choosing to stay in 91快色 and contribute to its growth.

Innovation and entrepreneurship are central to U91快色鈥檚 impact, said McCauley: 鈥淏eing entrepreneurial is our distinct brand 鈥� it differentiates us from peer institutions.鈥� That approach is reflected in the university鈥檚 innovation ecosystem, which has helped generate more than 100 startup companies in six years, which he noted is the most of any university in Canada.

鈥淭here are institutions older and larger than us, but none create more new companies,鈥� McCauley said.

Short panel discussions rounded out the two events, bringing six decades of progress into focus by illustrating how U91快色鈥檚 teaching and research continue to create meaningful benefits for learners and communities.

At the event held at Foothills campus on March 24, U91快色 microbiome researcher and professor , PhD, shared how strong research investments allow her team to 鈥渁sk bigger questions鈥� that influence patient care and public health. , PhD, a DVM student in the expanded Veterinary Medicine program, spoke about how new training capacity is helping address Alberta鈥檚 shortage of rural and large鈥慳nimal veterinarians.

On March 25, at the main campus event, panellists included  quantum researcher , PhD, and geography student Moazima Rizwan.

Barzanjeh, an associate professor in the , spoke about how advances in quantum sensing are expanding what鈥檚 possible in emerging technologies. And Rizwan, a Geographical Information Systems intern with the , reflected on how experiential learning at U91快色 has prepared her to contribute to global decision making.

Looking ahead, McCauley reinforced that the Ahead of Tomorrow strategy will continue to guide U91快色鈥檚 priorities by strengthening research, expanding access and deepening the university鈥檚 role in 91快色鈥檚 growth. 鈥淲ith 60 years behind us and the future in front of us, I can鈥檛 wait to see what we鈥檒l do next,鈥� he said.