Calendar of Events

Search the Site

Daily News

Daily News Archives

Sporting News

Special Bulletins

Weekly Feature

Weekly Feature Archives

The View from Trent

Trent Magazine

Focus Trent

Build 2000

 

Trent University Places First in Medical/Science Research Funding and Scholarships and Bursaries in Annual Maclean's Results

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ranking for research grants for social sciences and humanities moves up from seventh to fifth nationwide

Sunday, November 5, 2004, Peterborough

Results from the Maclean's 2004 rankings of Canadian universities have placed Trent University first in Canada for medical/science research funding and scholarships and bursaries as a percentage of the operating budget.

Trent placed within the top ten nationally in a number of key ranking areas:

ADDITIONAL TOP TEN PERFORMANCE

  • awards per full-time faculty (ranked third)
  • social sciences and humanities research grants (ranked fifth – up from seventh last year)
  • classes taught by tenured faculty (ranked sixth)
  • faculty with Ph.D.s (ranked seventh)
  • reputational survey (ranked seventh)
  • student awards (ranked seventh)
  • alumni support to the University (ranked eighth – up from ninth last year)
  • class sizes in both the 1st and 2nd as well as the 3rd and 4th year categories (ranked ninth)
  • library expense (ranked ninth)
  • student retention (ranked ninth)

Federal Research Grants Per Awards:

President Bonnie Patterson was pleased that the results of the survey confirmed the University's nationally recognized strengths in research. "Our social science and humanities professors have achieved significant results this year, moving their research performance from seventh to fifth place and they are to be congratulated," said president Patterson. "In the medical research category our faculty continue to place first in the national rankings. Their efforts are also outstanding." The president adds that these results follow last week's ranking published by Research InfoSource that named Trent University research university of the year among primarily undergraduate institutions in Canada.

While Trent maintained its ranking among the top ten primarily undergraduate universities in Canada at sixth place, President Bonnie Patterson acknowledged that Ontario's double cohort had a considerable impact on operational costs and some performance indicators.

Noted in the survey's results was Trent's performance in relation to small class sizes. "Trent remains at the top of the rankings in the province of Ontario for limiting class sizes in the first, second, third and fourth years of study – despite the significant impact of the double cohort," said Patterson. "This defining characteristic is a hallmark of the unique teaching environment that we continue to provide to our students."

In the important category of alumni support, Trent's rankings moved up from ninth to eighth. "This indicator is a positive reflection of the passion Trent alumni have towards their alma mater and signals that we are making more inroads in cultivating the graduate support that is so vital to our institution's future," said Patterson.

"Important gains were also made in the area of investments for library support. Trent's ranking for library expenses increased, moving its ranking from ninth to eighth in one year after significant investments in book acquisitions and new staff hiring. Investments in the library, together with the targeting of funds to information technology and physical plant, remain as strategic priorities for the University."

President Patterson noted the University's record investments in scholarships and bursaries are contributing to making university education more accessible for more students. "I am proud that the Maclean's survey has once again acknowledged our first place ranking and how our University is making access to a university education a reality for qualified students who have financial need."

Trent University is an outstanding undergraduate university known for its commitment to a liberal arts and sciences education. Within a collegial setting, the University offers traditional and interdisciplinary degree programs at undergraduate and graduate levels. Spanning the picturesque Otonabee River in Peterborough, Ontario, Trent's Symons campus features award-winning architecture designed to complement its natural setting. The University serves over 7,600 full and part-time students in Peterborough and Oshawa.

-30-

For more information, please contact: Don Cumming, senior director, public affairs, Trent University (705) 748-1011 ext. 1224.

 

Return to Trent Home
Maintained by the Communications Office
Last Updated November 8, 2004