> SFU gains on ‘Top 50’ research university list
SFU gains on ‘Top 50’ research university list
Contacts:
Mario Pinto, v-p research, 778.782.4152; bpinto@sfu.ca
Marianne Meadahl, PAMR, 778.782.4323
Mario Pinto, v-p research, 778.782.4152; bpinto@sfu.ca
Marianne Meadahl, PAMR, 778.782.4323
October 29, 2008
Simon Fraser University ranks fourth among comprehensive universities and 20th – up from 21st - among Canada’s top 50 research universities, according to Re$earch Infosource Inc.’s annual list.
SFU was cast “in the spotlight” for its impressive research income growth over the past six years, after producing the largest growth among comprehensive universities – a 126.4-per-cent increase - between 2002-2007 - ahead of the University of Victoria’s 85.5-per-cent increase and well above the 46.5-per-cent national average for comprehensive universities.
"Our success in today's competitive research climate is the result of a concerted institutional strategy to mobilize internal efforts and to identify and respond to new external opportunities,” says Mario Pinto, SFU’s vice-president, research.
“This strategy includes providing significant financial support to seed bold interdisciplinary initiatives, as well as support for the preparation and administration of major projects.”
In total, the top 50 research universities posted only a 3.5-per-cent growth in their total sponsored research income in the fiscal 2007 year. Re$EARCH Infosource Inc. said a drop in support from the corporate sector was mainly responsible.
Among other highlights, SFU placed first among comprehensive universities in the publication impact category – a measure of the probability of publications being cited - and third in publication “intensity,” which weighs the total number of publications per full-time faculty.
"These results show that our faculty have the intellectual horsepower to deliver a bigger bang for the research buck," Pinto says.
SFU’s success is also due to the dedicated work of many individuals, from faculty members who champion research to the staff who assist researchers in obtaining and managing financial support.
“We are better poised to weather the significant challenges ahead by continuing to be agile, bold, and distinctive—as both an institution and as individuals,” Pinto notes. “This approach has helped to propel SFU into the group of the top 20 research-intensive universities in Canada, and I believe it will assist us in maintaining our strong presence on the national scene."
In the current fiscal year B.C. universities together have brought in $582 million in research income – down from $607 million in 2006.
Re$EARCH Infosource Inc. specializes in business intelligence and analysis on science, technology, research and development and innovation, and produces a list of top research universities annually.
SFU was cast “in the spotlight” for its impressive research income growth over the past six years, after producing the largest growth among comprehensive universities – a 126.4-per-cent increase - between 2002-2007 - ahead of the University of Victoria’s 85.5-per-cent increase and well above the 46.5-per-cent national average for comprehensive universities.
"Our success in today's competitive research climate is the result of a concerted institutional strategy to mobilize internal efforts and to identify and respond to new external opportunities,” says Mario Pinto, SFU’s vice-president, research.
“This strategy includes providing significant financial support to seed bold interdisciplinary initiatives, as well as support for the preparation and administration of major projects.”
In total, the top 50 research universities posted only a 3.5-per-cent growth in their total sponsored research income in the fiscal 2007 year. Re$EARCH Infosource Inc. said a drop in support from the corporate sector was mainly responsible.
Among other highlights, SFU placed first among comprehensive universities in the publication impact category – a measure of the probability of publications being cited - and third in publication “intensity,” which weighs the total number of publications per full-time faculty.
"These results show that our faculty have the intellectual horsepower to deliver a bigger bang for the research buck," Pinto says.
SFU’s success is also due to the dedicated work of many individuals, from faculty members who champion research to the staff who assist researchers in obtaining and managing financial support.
“We are better poised to weather the significant challenges ahead by continuing to be agile, bold, and distinctive—as both an institution and as individuals,” Pinto notes. “This approach has helped to propel SFU into the group of the top 20 research-intensive universities in Canada, and I believe it will assist us in maintaining our strong presence on the national scene."
In the current fiscal year B.C. universities together have brought in $582 million in research income – down from $607 million in 2006.
Re$EARCH Infosource Inc. specializes in business intelligence and analysis on science, technology, research and development and innovation, and produces a list of top research universities annually.