A look back at the highlights of 2024 at the University of Ottawa

Following the announcement of the largest investment in its history, the University of Ottawa began construction of the Advanced Medical Research Centre. This ultramodern space, dedicated to biomedical research, seeks to bridge the gap between the discovery and commercialization of health-care treatments.

The University of Ottawa also sets great store by traditional perspectives and knowledge. An Indigenous garden took root at the Faculty of Medicine, a reminder of the importance of reconciling innovation with ancestral knowledge in a more holistic approach to health care.

Ever committed to promoting mental health, the University partnered with Tennis Canada to launch the first-ever comprehensive mental health strategy for sport governing bodies in Canada.

By partnering with Shoppers Drug Mart, the University also ushered in a new era for pharmaceutical care on campus, reinforcing its commitment to improving access to health-care services.

Researchers at the University of Ottawa working on a wide range of crucial issues attracted worldwide media interest. These include the popular study on the effects of climate change and climate anomalies. Other discoveries, including the unprecedented mapping of the 4,200-km transatlantic flight of a Painted Lady butterfly and the proven benefits of early detection of asthma and COPD, also attracted attention.

A study questioning the presence of dark matter in the universe also generated buzz, turning established cosmological knowledge on its head.

A biomedical tool designed for astronauts showed promise for health on Earth,while an alarming study on pesticides highlighted the threat to wild bees. Lastly, a study on racism in school curricula and a fascinating study of the links between woolly mammoths and the colonization of the Americas also garnered media attention.

The University of Ottawa continues to innovate with programs and projects that address current and future challenges.

Its daring Master’s degree in Psychedelics and Consciousness Studies, unique in Canada, explores the potential of psychedelic therapies for treating complex mental disorders. The program reflects an openness to innovative therapeutic approaches supported by scientific research.

The Executive Masters in Sport Organization Management, hosted by the Telfer School of Management, is designed to support future generations of managers in a highly specialized and competitive sector.

Two brand-new Master of Engineering programs—the Master of Interdisciplinary Artificial Intelligence and the Master of Digital Transformation and Innovation—are focused on the digital future. The programs, to be taught exclusively in English, will be accessible across Canada.

The Faculty of Law’s Jurivision platform will provide a multimedia learning experience, enabling the public to discover the history and role of the Supreme Court of Canada through an immersive, interactive approach.

The Canadian BIPOC Artists Rolodex was launched. The project, soon to be available online, will contribute to the creation, promotion and dissemination of knowledge in the digital humanities.

Lastly, the Anishinaabe birthing reclamation project provides for the creation of an Anishinaabe birthing advisory, made up of women and Elders, to restore Anishinaabe birthing practices.

Through its outstanding initiatives, the University of Ottawa confirmed its role as a pillar of the Francophonie in Canada and beyond.

The University hosted the 91st annual Acfas conference, a major event that brought together over 6,000 researchers. The gathering highlighted the importance of research in French, addressed a variety of issues and recommended the implementation of a national strategy to support French-language research.

The establishment of a Research Chair on Digital Thriving in Franco-Ontarian Communities will explore the possibilities offered by digital technology to revitalize cultures and promote the outreach of the Francophonie in an ever-changing world.

In addition, strategic partnerships, including the Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Sudbury and the working group established with the Institut du Savoir Montfort on French-language health care, will increase access to education services in northern Ontario and influence decision makers to improve French-language health-care services.

The University of Ottawa is banking on innovative facilities to transform the campus into a veritable incubator of ideas and innovation.

The inauguration of the INNOVA space marked an important step towards empowering Francophones digitally. INNOVA is a laboratory where faculty members, researchers, teaching teams and professionals from diverse backgrounds can transform their ideas into immersive experiences.

The University also enriched its research environment by welcoming 15 new Canada Research Chairs, reinforcing its leadership in scientific innovation on a range of global issues. It also announced the renewal of its Memorandum of Understanding and research chairs with Fulbright Canada, underscoring a shared commitment to cross-border collaboration and understanding, and to addressing global challenges through academic exchange.

As for the Faculty of Education, it has officially launched the edstudiO, a new interactive learning space.Play, collaboration and interaction are central to the edstudiO experience, where the focus is on learning through playful engagement with state-of the-art digital tools and physical materials. 

Lastly, the new publishing studio of the University of Ottawa Presses hung out its shingle. The new site will serve not only as a sales outlet for scholarly, literary and non-fiction works, but also as a showcase for Canadian art and a venue for literary and professional gatherings.

As G7 leaders gather in Canada next year, the University of Ottawa will be hosting critical talks among university leaders from around the globe at the prestigious U7+ Alliance Summit.