Strength in numbers
The U of M is a member of the influential U15 Group of Canadian Research Universities, or the U15
In 2011, the University of Manitoba became part of the U15. The influential U15 Group of Canadian Research Universities, or U15, promotes the value of higher education and advances the interests of the research-intensive universities.
The U15 drives national policy discussion and provides critical advice and analysis on higher education, research and development. The association also offers a model of comparison for research-intensive universities, sharing data and strategic alliances between institutions.
President and Vice-Chancellor David Barnard says, “The University of Manitoba’s membership in the U15 amplifies our voice with the general public and all levels of government, and ensures that Manitoba and Manitobans don’t lag behind other provinces in research and innovation. The U15 collectively provides the critical mass that Canada requires to remain globally competitive in the new knowledge economy. As a peer group, it provides meaningful benchmarks within the context of a shared, strong academic tradition. “
The U15 members are: McMaster University, Queen’s University, the University of Toronto, the University of Waterloo, Western University, UBC, University of Alberta, McGill University, Université de Montréal, Université Laval, Dalhousie University, the University of Calgary, the University of Ottawa, the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Manitoba.
Headquartered in Ottawa, the U15 works to ensure that infrastructure funding policy reflects the sector’s needs. Since its establishment in 1991, it has advanced its institutions’ perspectives on the research enterprise in Canada. It advocates to the federal government and governments of all levels for the U15’s fundamental role in spurring innovation and industry and in the immigration and employment process.
Its member institutions undertake 80 percent of all competitive university research in Canada, and represent a research enterprise valued at more than $5 billion annually. Together, they contribute upwards of C$36 billion to the Canadian economy every year; and produce more than 70 percent of all doctorates awarded in Canada.
The association also continues to expand its international reach and influence. The U15 is now a member of the Global Network of Research Intensive Universities, formed to tackle the mutual challenges faced by research-intensive institutions and to advance innovation and discovery world-wide.