Waterloo has long been recognized as the most innovative university in Canada. Like many universities, Waterloo is committed to advancing learning and knowledge through teaching, research, and scholarship. What sets us apart is how we go about accomplishing our mission. From the beginning, Waterloo has been an outward-looking university, aware of and responsive to the needs of society. We have the largest co-operative education program in North America, and our students graduate with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience required to solve today’s complex and pressing problems and to embrace future challenges.

But producing the leaders of tomorrow is just part of our mission. A research-intensive university, we’re committed to discovering new knowledge and finding ways to use that knowledge for the benefit of all. We are the national leader in the transfer of ideas and technology to the private sector. More Canadian high-tech and knowledge-based spin-off companies trace their roots to the University of Waterloo than to any other school.