LaurentianUniveristy
This remarkable institution is one of the two bilingual universities in the country. For the past ten years, it has been Ontario’s fourth-fastest growing university. In addition to its francophone and anglophone student populations, ten percent of students are aboriginal, and international student numbers are steadily increasing. Laurentian offers its 9,000 full and part-time students small class sizes and a personalized education with one-on-one accessibility to professors.
In addition to having the Northern Ontario School of Medicine – a new medical school – Laurentian is located in the midst of the largest research and science hub of northern Ontario, which includes the Centre for Rural and Northern Health Research, the Living With Lakes Centre, the Neutrino Observatory, Science North, and the Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation.
Situated on 750 acres (7,5 ha), surrounded by five lakes and 45 kilometres of cross-country ski trails, Laurentian’s main campus, a five-minute drive away from downtown, has been described as “one of Canada’s greatest resorts.” The newly upgraded campus athletic centre includes an Olympic-size pool, a climbing wall and an indoor track.
Having celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2010, Laurentian was first created to expand knowledge in northern Ontario. The university is now exporting creativity and expertise beyond Canada’s borders. Having added six new doctoral programs, Laurentian is building on its historical strength in undergraduate education. Its research capacity continues to grow annually, averaging $15 million annually.
Laurentian’s expertise is especially notable in areas such as the environment, health, and mining. The NorthernOntario School of Medicine – Canada’s first new medical school in more than 30 years, launched in collaboration with Lakehead University – graduated its charter class in 2009. The University recently launched the Centre forExcellence in Mining Innovation (CEMI) in collaboration with government and industry partners, and has also started construction of the $20 million Vale Inco Living with Lakes Centre.
