Graduate student research continues to gain strength at the University of Lethbridge and that growth is reflected in the latest Research Infosource “Canada’s Top 50 Research Universities” list.
The rankings consider several measures related to research income, growth and industry partnerships. The University’s highest individual measure came in the growth of graduate student research, moving from fifth to second overall. ULethbridge, grouped within the undergraduate universities category, ranked seventh overall amongst undergraduate schools in the country.
“Graduate student programming and research opportunities are key areas we continue to support with strategic planning and investment of resources,” says Dr. Dena McMartin, the University’s vice-president of research. “We are unique in that our undergraduate students have opportunities to become involved in research very early in their academic journey and we have made a concerted effort to continue to develop graduate student research, so we can retain those students in a graduate setting, as well as attract top-tier graduate students from other institutions.”
The recent launch of the i4Geo Institute for Geospatial Inquiry, Instruction and Innovation is just one example of the outstanding graduate student research opportunities available on campus. With graduate degree programs in geography, remote sensing, environmental science, agricultural studies, geographical information science and computer science, there is also a major push to foster entrepreneurship, innovation, business incubation and community outreach through the institute.
ULethbridge also rated well in several other ranking markers, including a second place standing amongst undergraduate schools in “International Government Research Income Growth,” fourth in “Corporate Research Income Growth” and fifth in “Not-for-Profit Research Income Growth.”
“Our researchers continue to cultivate strong relationships with external partners who are looking to solve the biggest issues they are facing today,” adds McMartin. “This ranges from work in agri-business and manufacturing to medicine and healthcare and so many more. While funding support rankings and growth measurements serve as snapshots of the great breadth of activities our researchers are involved in, the true measure of the importance of their work is how it is benefiting society and the change it is making daily to individuals in our community and beyond.”
Dr. Jackie Rice, dean of the School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs, says ULethbridge graduate students are keenly interested in addressing society’s most pressing needs.
“We believe in supporting research that has a positive community impact and many graduate students bring a passion for addressing some problem or issue that hits close to home,” says Rice. “It’s rewarding to see them grow their knowledge and skills and be able to address issues impacting all of us in our day-to-day lives.”
