Waterloo Is Top Research University Among Comprehensives for Seventh Straight Year

WATERLOO, ON--(Marketwired - October 16, 2014) - The University of Waterloo is Research University of the Year among Canadian comprehensive universities for the seventh year in a row, according to rankings Research Infosource released today.

"We are so proud to have this distinction of top research university among Canadian comprehensive universities for seven consecutive years," said Feridun Hamdullahpur, president and vice-chancellor at Waterloo. "This recognition is the result of so much hard work by tireless researchers who are finding innovative ways to improve lives, change the way we see the world and address the challenges of today and the future."

According to Canada's Top 50 Research Universities, Waterloo is first among Canadian universities when it comes to growth of research income. The majority of university research is conducted at institutions in the Medical/Doctoral category. Waterloo does not have a medical school yet it attracted nearly $167 million in research income last year. This number represents an increase of 21.8 per cent.

Considered one of Canada's leading consulting firms for organizations with interests in science, technology, and innovation, the firm ranks top research universities in three categories: Medical/Doctoral, Comprehensive, and Undergraduate. The group measures institutions based on research input and output/impact.

Waterloo rose 11 places to be ranked 169^th in the world in 2014, according to the Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings, and 57^th in the world for Engineering and Technology. The Times Higher Ed World University Rankings recently placed Waterloo 68^th in the world for Engineering and Technology. Based on career outcomes of its members, LinkedIn recently ranked Waterloo first among Canadian universities for finance professionals and software developers, and second among accounting professionals. Waterloo recently signed partnerships with two of the world's top innovation universities: Technion-Israel Institute of Technology and Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology.

Research at the University of Waterloo continues to make significant strides, including:

• A single group of micro-organisms may be responsible for much of the world's vitamin B₁₂ production in the world's oceans.

• Over-indulging in high-calorie foods results from lapses in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex.

• Certain positions are better than others when it comes to avoiding back pain after scientists have successfully documented the way the spine moves during sex.

• Prescription medications dispensed by pharmacies do not consistently follow professionally recommended guidelines for legibility.

• People with low self-esteem usually prefer negative validation over cheering up.

• Only six of the previous Winter Olympics host cities could be cold enough to reliably host the Games by the end of this century.

More detail on Canada's Top 50 Research Universities is available at www.researchinfosource.com.

About the University of Waterloo
In just half a century, the University of Waterloo, located at the heart of Canada's technology hub, has become one of Canada's leading comprehensive universities with 35,000 full- and part-time students in undergraduate and graduate programs. Waterloo, as home to the world's largest post-secondary co-operative education program, embraces its connections to the world and encourages enterprising partnerships in learning, research and discovery. In the next decade, the university is committed to building a better future for Canada and the world by championing innovation and collaboration to create solutions relevant to the needs of today and tomorrow. For more information about Waterloo, please visit www.uwaterloo.ca.

Attention broadcasters: Waterloo has facilities to provide broadcast quality audio and video feeds with a double-ender studio. Please contact us for more information.