October 29, 2008

For only the second time, the University of Northern British Columbiahas been named one of Canada’s “Research Universities of the Year” in areport that will be published in the National Post and the OttawaCitizen. UNBC is second among all small universities, up from its thirdplace showing last year.
 
The survey, produced by Research InfoSource Inc, is comprised of two main components:

• A listing of Canada’s top 50 research universities, presenting theamount of sponsored research income each university received in the2006-07 fiscal year. UNBC placed 37th overall.
• A scorecard that includes research funding received, the number offaculty, and the success of faculty in having research resultspublished in academic journals. UNBC placed second in its category,which is comprised of 17 small universities in Canada.

 
“UNBC performs at a level much higher than our size would suggest andthis is fundamental to our ability to attract the best faculty andstudents,” says Interim UNBC President Charles Jago. “But there’s abigger story here. Between 2002 and 2007, UNBC saw the second-largestrate of growth in research funding among ALL universities in Canada,and tops among BC universities. This is an amazing success in a countrywhere research investment has been concentrated in the biggest cities.Research is helping this region make the transition to aknowledge-based economy and these results released today arevindication for all of those founders and citizens who understand thevalue of what a research university brings to this region.”  

The results of the Research InfoSource analysis will be published in the National Post on Friday, November 7. Click here for a preview of the results.
 
Earlier this year, UNBC surpassed the $100 million mark in researchfunding received to date. In the 2007-08 fiscal year alone, the valueof research funding received was $17.7 million. Some of theUniversity’s research programs have explored aboriginal environmentalhealth, the genetic factors behind cancer and other diseases, themountain pine beetle, climate change, the provision of health servicesin northern and rural communities, factors that affect quality of life,and air quality.

Contact:
Rob van Adrichem, Director of Media and Public Relations, UNBC – 250.960.5622