2004 was marked by two important projects central to the University of Ottawa’s reputation, both of which are likely to have repercussions for many years to come: the strategic academic planning exercise “Vision 2010” and the launch of the largest development campaign in the University’s history.
Following a series of steps taken in 2003 to enhance its public image, the University launched its new corporate logo in April.
The School of Political Studies, created by the Faculty of Social Sciences, will soon join the School of Management, the Centre for Governance, and the Department of Economics, in a new multidisciplinary building, on which construction will begin in the spring on a parcel of land situated at the corners of Laurier, Nicholas and Waller.
On the Smyth Road campus, construction is underway on a new wing of Roger-Guindon Hall to house, among others, the Institute of Systems Biology.
The final stage of the Biosciences Complex – the renovation of the Gendron building – will be completed in August 2005. The complex made headlines in 2004 by winning the top Canada Energy Efficient Award. A boreal forest and wet zone was created in the interior courtyard offering at once a living classroom and rest area.
As in previous years, a number of faculty members won numerous awards and prizes and received important research grants from such organizations as the Canadian Foundation for Innovation.Moreover, a report published in November ranked the University of Ottawa seventh in Canada in terms of the amount of the research grants awarded per researcher.
One of the University’s most renowned research scientists, chemist Juan “Tito” Scaiano, recipient of two prizes valued at one million dollars each, decided to use to money to establish a scholarship program for doctoral candidates in the sciences.
Over the last year, four major campus figures retired: Carole Workman, for 12 years vice-rector resources, Bernard Philogène, first dean of the Faculty of Science and vice-rector academic from 1990 to 1997; Henri Wong, a pioneer of co-op programs and the former assistant vice-rector, strategic enrolment management and registrar; and Hubert Reiter, director of Protection Services.
In 2004, the Gee-Gees sports teams, most notably in women’s soccer, basketball and hockey, enjoyed first-rate seasons.
