Impact of the University of Ottawa

The University of Ottawa is one of its kind. It is a leading research-intensive institution with a unique bilingual education mandate. The university has become an innovation leader, as well as a national top-10 research facility. How has it accomplished these feats? It has been setting high standards for itself, identifying lofty goals, and has been making deliberate and considerable investments in its research and development.

This report assesses the university’s many contributions to the Ottawa region and Ontario’s economic, social, and cultural well-being, as well as to Canada and even the world. To do this, it uses a combination of quantitative and qualitative approaches. One key finding is that the university’s total economic impact is $6.8–$7.4 billion annually. Yet this is one of many findings. Overall, the university creates employment, generates ideas, and attracts domestic and international talent, all while providing a high standard of bilingual education to its many students.