Our mission
Our raison d'être
Since 1848, the University of Ottawa has been Canada's university: a reflection, an observatory and a catalyst of the Canadian experience in all its complexity and diversity. Our university is characterized by its unique history, its commitment to bilingualism, its location both in the heart of the national capital and at the juncture of French and English Canada, its special commitment to the promotion of French culture in Ontario and to multiculturalism. As a result and through the groundbreaking work of our community members, we are uniquely positioned among Canada's research-intensive institutions to give students a remarkable education, to enrich the intellectual and cultural life of Canada and to help the country achieve greater international prominence.
Strategic Areas of Development in Research
The University of Ottawa is at a crucial stage in its development as a research-intensive institution. Its size and breadth – comprising a wide range of undergraduate, graduate and professional programs – as well as its location in the nation’s capital, its cosmopolitan population, its bilingualism and, above all, its strong commitment to research, create a vigorous and dynamic research environment within and among all faculties and disciplines. The high quality and sheer quantity of research in discipline-based areas, as well as in interdisciplinary research groups are evidenced by the dramatic growth in research funding, and by the national and international dissemination and recognition of research results.
In its strategic plan, Vision 2010, the University pledges to increase research activities, with an aim to place the University among Canada’s top five in research. This goal is not only important for the reputation and status of the University, but also for the University’s ability to fulfill its mandate to further knowledge and contribute to the common good.