About University of Alberta

Since its inception in 1908, the University of Alberta has had the vision to be one of the world’s great universities for the public good. The university is dedicated to the promise made by founding president Henry Marshall Tory that “knowledge shall not be the concern of scholars alone. The uplifting of the whole people shall be its final goal.” This promise endures as the university strives to improve the lives of people in Alberta, across Canada, and around the world.

Mission

Within a vibrant and supportive learning environment, the University of Alberta discovers, disseminates, and applies new knowledge through teaching and learning, research and creative activity, community involvement, and partnerships. The U of A gives a national and international voice to innovation in our province, taking a lead role in placing Canada at the global forefront.

Vision

To inspire the human spirit through outstanding achievements in learning, discovery, and citizenship in a creative community, building one of the world’s great universities for the public good.

International partnerships

The U of A has close to 400 teaching and research agreements with governments and partner institutions in nearly 50 countries. Key examples include Ludwig-Maximilians University of Munich, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Indian Institute of Science Bangalore, and Fudan University/Shanghai Medical College in China.

The Helmholtz-Alberta Initiative is an independent research partnership between the U of A and the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres. The U of A’s largest international collaboration, which was recently renewed until 2020, merges scientific and technical expertise to develop innovative solutions for today’s challenges in energy and the environment, terrestrial ecosystem and resource informatics, and health. The initiative is expanding into infectious disease research.

Notable research areas

The University of Alberta is one of Canada’s top teaching and research universities, with an international reputation for excellence across the humanities, sciences, creative arts, business, engineering, and health sciences. In particular, the U of A is internationally recognized as a world leader in diabetes research, energy and environment, virology, food security, nanotechnology, humanities computing, printmaking, artificial intelligence, family business research, carbohydrate chemistry, and circumpolar research.