TORONTO, Monday, June 12, 2017 – Today, York University released “A Decade of Impact”, a new report highlighting achievements of the past ten years, all pointing to the recent success revealed in the Ontario University Application Centre (OUAC) enrolment data with York a leader among Ontario universities.
York’s President and Vice-Chancellor Mamdouh Shoukri’s term winds down this month, after ten years of leadership. The Report examines how the University’s unique values and priorities that set York apart, including a commitment to diversity and social justice, accessibility and fairness – have shaped and transformed the University since 2007.
“As I look back with pride and reflection on the last ten years, I am keenly aware of how York has grown to embody many of the strong values that make Canada the country it is today,” said Shoukri, “While the Report does not capture the full scope of our collective accomplishments, it serves to highlight some of the success that sets York on a positive trajectory for many years to come.”
The Report showcases the vital role of York’s remarkable faculty members, researchers, students and staff with impressive developments including the launch of innovative programs and sizable infrastructure investments. Highlights include the Master of Arts in Disaster & Emergency Management program (2008), Canada’s first undergraduate global health degree (2013), and new facilities like the Life Sciences Building (2012) and stunning LEED certified Bergeron Centre of Engineering Excellence (2016).
York is a Canadian leader in campus sustainability, and environmental and social responsibility, thanks to a community of faculty, staff and students who take sustainability seriously.
“When I take stock of all of the progress the York community has made together, I am both delighted and encouraged to see our efforts rewarded with outstanding new enrolment numbers for the coming school year,” said Shoukri.
Recent Statistics Canada data shows that the fastest growing occupations in Canada require a university education. The Fall 2017 OUAC data shows a one per cent increase in enrolment of high school students provincewide, resulting from a demographic slump. Despite near flat enrolment, York University experienced an impressive 10.6 per cent jump in domestic high school student acceptances and 10.8 per cent growth in international student acceptances.
The success of York’s strategic enrolment planning, recruitment and retention efforts, academic and research excellence, and outstanding faculty demonstrate the University is on the best path for continued success.
York University is known for championing new ways of thinking that drive teaching and research excellence. Our students receive the education they need to create big ideas that make an impact on the world. Meaningful and sometimes unexpected careers result from cross-discipline programming, innovative course design and diverse experiential learning opportunities. York students and graduates push limits, achieve goals and find solutions to the world’s most pressing social challenges, empowered by a strong community that opens minds. York U is an internationally recognized research university – our 11 faculties and 26 research centres have partnerships with 200+ leading universities worldwide. Located in Toronto, York is the third largest university in Canada, with a strong community of 53,000 students, 7,000 faculty and administrative staff, and more than 295,000 alumni. York U's fully bilingual Glendon campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education.
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For more information:
Barbara Joy, York University Media Relations, barbjoy@yorku.ca or 416-736-5593
