University of Waterloo

The University of Waterloo was established in 1957 with the then novel, cooperative approach (coop) of combining in class learning with work related learning. The idea was advanced that students would alternate in-class, didactic, learning with ‘work terms’ where they could tackle problems in commercial and/or research settings designed to provide meaningful societal benefit. 

Initially the co-op idea was applied to engineering, science and mathematics disciplines, but as the disciplines of the University expanded, the concept was also applied across social sciences and humanities disciplines. With more than 42,000 students attending annually, Waterloo is now #1 in Canada for experiential learning and employer-student connections.

The University of Waterloo, with its global network spanning more than 220,000 alumni in 151 countries, attracts world-class scholars including a Nobel Laureate and leads in providing work-integrated learning opportunities with more than 7,100 active co-op employers.  The University also fosters an entrepreneurial spirit that’s created more than 5 000 jobs through Velocity alone, Canada’s most productive start-up incubator by private investment. Some 474 Waterloo entrepreneurs have been able to raise $12.9 billion since 2006.

The University of Waterloo is also committed to fostering interdisciplinary Research Centres and Institutes that facilitate collaborative research across departments, schools, and Faculties, as well as engage in appropriate international research collaborations that enhance the research and scholarship of the institution.

Waterloo is also a member of the elite, U15 group of the fifteen universities regarded as being the top tier research institutions in Canada. 

The University of Waterloo remains committed to working with international partners to spur innovation to solve problems on a global scale.