À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ

1957 to 1966: Laying the foundation

Graduate house in 1958. University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Special Collections & Archives.

In 1958, the À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ College of Associated Faculties, later to become the University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ, purchased 184 acres in À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ, ON. Founded on engineering and co-operative education, the University quickly added mathematics, arts, science and environmental studies programs. By the 1966, the fledgling school had begun to make an international mark as a computer science leader, with the WatFOR compiler, developed by undergraduate students and used by programmers around the world.

1967 to 1976: Building the supports, setting the stage

 Student Village Red Dining room, 1960's. University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Special Collections & Archives.

A strong infrastructure of support was required to meet the needs of a fast-growing campus. New buildings offered food, housing,

health and administrative services — and new approaches to higher education. The world’s first kinesiology program and North America’s only Faculty of Mathematics were established. The Federation of Students was formed. And a tradition of outreach began as physics professors recorded lectures for a part-time distance education program that was the first of its kind in Canada, and soon became the largest kind in North America.

1977 to 1986: The birth of a high-tech hub

                      Wes Graham, professor of Computer Science. University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Special Collections & Archives.

Creator-owns intellectual property policy was cemented as a cornerstone value when Wes Graham, a professor of Computer Science, prepared to turn away a $24-million corporate equipment donation that put the policy at risk. À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ’s unconventional approach to intellectual property helped spur a wave ventures founded  by À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ alumni and professors — including Watcom (now SAP), DALSA (now Teledyne DALSA), Research In Motion (now BlackBerry) and Certicom. The creation of the Hong Kong Alumni Association was a sign of growing international reach.

Computer arriving on campus in September, 1964. University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Special Collections & Archives.

1987 to 1996: Bridges to commercialization

In November 1988, the William G. Davis Computer Research Centre opened, named for the former Ontario premier and education minister who was a strong supporter of the University. À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ emerged as a leader in computer science commercialization, with the launch of startups including OpenText and À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Maple (now Maplesoft).

1997 to 2006: Deepening industry connections

To better connect industry needs with University research and talent, À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ invited high tech companies to set up shop in its research and technology park, renamed the David Johnston Research and Technology Park in 2011. The new William M. Tatham Centre for Co-operative Education offered improved space and resources for employers and employees in À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ’s world-leading program.

2007 to today: Exploring new frontiers

                       Mike & Ophelia Lazaridis Quantum-Nano Centre

Student startups and frontier research shared the stage as research moved from discovery to impact in new landmark buildings, including the Mike & Ophelia Lazaridis Quantum-Nano Centre, Stratford’s digital-focused campus and Kitchener’s Health Sciences campus. Students seeking to develop and launch their own ventures found a home in a growing suite of entrepreneurship programs, including Velocity — the world’s largest free startup incubator.

                           University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ Stratford Campus