From Discovery to Innovation

Op ed published in Canadian Business magazine

By Paul Davidson
President and CEO Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada

In the course of my work over the last three years, I have visited more than 85 universities across the country, and what I have seen fills me with hope for Canada’s future.

First there are the students – more than ever before. Full-time enrolment is up over 50 percent since 2000, and our economy will need all of them and more to meet the labour market needs of the next decade. They are filled with passion and fueled by a desire to make a difference. We have to make sure they have the learning experiences that will equip them to succeed in a new kind of Canada.

Then there are the outstanding faculty – more than half of the professors in Canada have been hired in the last decade. They are a new generation, bringing new ideas and new approaches to teaching and research that are making Canada’s universities the envy of the world.

Together, they are tackling some of the toughest problems the world is facing – and they are finding solutions. Think of the dramatic improvements we are seeing in agricultural production. Consider how research is giving new life and creating new jobs in Canada’s forests. Consider how our lives have been transformed by new communications technologies. From the discovery of insulin almost 100 years ago to breakthroughs in stem cell research, to new therapies for cancer and other health issues, Canada’s universities are pushing the frontiers of discovery and innovation.

Canada’s university campuses are dynamic places of inquiry. Working with a broad array of partners they are helping drive innovation that is strengthening communities, fostering jobs and growth, and helping extend our reach to places like China, India and Brazil.

Crucial to these endeavours are the ways universities interact with the private sector and civil society. More than half of Canada’s undergraduates will pursue a co-op or internship, giving them important early experiences in the workforce, and helping employers identify and attract new talent. Universities are actively breaking down barriers to collaboration. And employers choose Canada’s universities to conduct close to $1 billion in research every year – research that contributes to their success – and to Canada’s in a globally competitive world.

In a world beset by economic fragility, Canada’s universities are a source of strength, and a resource for all Canadians.  Come see for yourself.

From November 9 to 18, I invite you to visit a campus near you to see how Canada’s universities are putting ideas to work. Our “Open Doors, Open Knowledge” events across Canada will show how students and faculty are working with their community to foster discovery and innovation.