The History, Goals and Future of Toronto University

Added: 12/13/2005

Toronto University is located in Toronto, Ontario and is the largest and the most prominent university in Canada, which attracts students from all over the world. The university has produced more Prime Ministers, Governors and celebrated academic and business leaders than any other institution of higher education in Canada. Regarded as one of the world's top universities, Toronto University rates second in North America after Harvard for research published. It's safe to say that the foundation of Canada's future leaders lie in the Student body of Toronto University.

The history of Toronto University dates back to 1827, when the institution was founded by Anglican bishop of Toronto John Strachan; under the name of King's College at York. In 1849 it was renamed Toronto University, and four years later the new university building opened. In 1892 several affiliated institutions became incorporated with the university, including Methodist Victoria, Anglican Trinity and St. Michael's.

During the next decades the evolution of Toronto University was due in part by incorporating with smaller institutions. Much of the growth of Toronto University occurred after the years of World Wars and Great Depression. Five new colleges were founded during this period: Innis College, New College, Erindale College, Woodsworth College and the University of Toronto at Scarborough.

Together with McGill University in Montreal and Queens University in Kingston, the academic institutions of Toronto University are considered to be some of the most prestigious in Canada. Today it attracts the most celebrated scholars and scientists from all over the world. The noted journal The Scientist rated the university as the best place to work outside the United States. According to the European Union's university ranking; Toronto University is 23rd best institution of higher learning worldwide.

Acknowledged to be one of the top schools in Canada and the world, the University of Toronto attracts more than 6,000 international students, who comprise 9% of the total student population. The school is highly selective in admitting the students to its programs which include Law, Business, Medical, Dentistry, Engineering and Architectural Schools.

At present the university comprises three campuses: St. George, Mississauga and Scarborough, all of which are undergoing reconstruction aimed at increasing available study space for students. The faculties of Toronto University include those of Applied Sciences and Engineering; Architecture, Landscape and Design; Arts and Science; Dentistry; Graduate Studies; Information Studies; Nursing; Medicine; Law; Music; Pharmacy and Physical Education. The most reputed are the University of Toronto Law and Medicine faculties. With the University of Toronto law school one of the most challenging in all of Canada.

Among the centers and institutes of Toronto University is the Canadian Institute for Theoretical Astrophysics, Fields Institute for Research in Mathematical Sciences, Pontifical Institute of Medieval Studies, University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies, Trudeau Center for Peace and Conflict Studies and Toronto Mennonite Theological Center.

In addition to its 17 academic divisions, the university offers teaching programs in nine teaching hospitals of Toronto. Each of seven colleges of Toronto University has a rich sense of community. There are about 340 student clubs and organizations, which is evidence of the rich student life within the university.

Past and present faculty of the university includes political scientist Janice Gross Stein, author and dramatist Robertson Davies, engineering pioneer Ursula Franklin, and medical biophysicist Lap-Chee Tsui. During the last two decades the professors of Toronto University have received about 25% of all national awards.

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