Reflecting on 2024: A Year of Advocacy, Milestones and Progress
2024 was a significant year for Canadian universities and Universities Canada . From securing research funding to celebrating global recognition of Canadian researchers, we’ve made significant strides in advancing higher education.
Here’s a look at some of the highlights:
🌟 Research investment & achievements
Through #Budget2024, we secured investments in research, mental health and infrastructure. These funds will continue supporting students, faculty and researchers working towards Canada’s interests.
In 2024, we celebrated University of Toronto ’s Geoffrey Hinton, who was awarded The Nobel Prize in Physics for his pioneering work in machine learning and artificial neural networks. This prestigious honour reflects Canada’s global excellence in research and highlights the transformative power of university-driven innovation.
🌍 Building global research partnerships
Global partnerships expanded our commitment to advancing Canada’s research profile. New #MOUs with France (France Universités) and Japan ( Embassy of Japan in Canada ), and Canada’s involvement in Horizon Europe, opened doors for collaboration, enabling Canadian researchers to tackle challenges with international expertise and resources.
💡 Advancing and celebrating research excellence in Canada
Accelerate 2024 gathered academia, industry and government to collaborate on critical issues like housing, health care and artificial intelligence. The event fostered cross-sector collaborations to solve some of Canada’s most pressing challenges.
This year also marked the inaugural Global Excellence Initiative event, which brought together Nobel Prize winner Donna Strickland and aspiring innovators to celebrate Canada’s remarkable achievements and help Canadian researchers access the resources and recognition they deserve on the global stage.
🔬 💼 Elevating the workforce of tomorrow
In 2024, we showcased higher education's impact on people's lives. We heard from inspiring graduates like Maggie from Vancouver Island University and Chioma Emefiena , a first-generation student from University of Regina , whose university experiences have equipped them to contribute to their communities.
Our universities are educating Canada’s future workforce and driving Canada’s economic prosperity by preparing a skilled, adaptable workforce ready to face the challenges ahead.
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💬 Commitment to Reconciliation
Our efforts toward reconciliation continue with initiatives like the National Building Reconciliation Forum, where we engaged with communities and academia to advance unity and understanding across campuses in Canada.
🏫 Welcoming a new member & northern perspectives
We were thrilled to welcome Yukon University to the Universities Canada membership. They bring vital northern expertise and Indigenous ways of learning to our network and will strengthen our efforts to enrich Canadian higher education.
💰 Supporting students and Canada’s economic growth
We’re proud of the financial support we provided to students this year. In 2024 , Universities Canada dispersed over $26 million in scholarships and programs, including through the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarships, Flight 302 Legacy Award and L’Oréal Canada for Women in Science Research Excellence Fellowships. These programs help students pursue their academic goals and prepare them to excel in the workforce.
🔮 Looking to 2025
As we move into 2025, our focus will remain on supporting Canadian universities in continuing to do what they do best: advancing research, training the workforce of tomorrow and providing tangible solutions to improve Canadians' lives.
About Universities Canada
Universities Canada is the voice of Canada’s universities at home and abroad, advancing higher education, research and innovation for the benefit of all Canadians.