The contribution of UQAM to Montreal’s creativity and innovation Speech by Claude-Yves Charron Vice-Rector Université du Québec à Montréal Fudan University, Shanghai, May 12, 2010

Some features of UQAM UQAM celebrated its fortieth anniversary in Created in 1969 by the Act respecting the Université du Québec, not through private initiative Founded during the “Quiet Revolution” to democratize access to higher education Target populations  Young baby boomers, born after the war  Adults lacking sufficient educational background according to current standards  Minorities and neighbouring communities

Means to facilitate accessibility  Adult admission on the basis of relevant experience  Courses offered days, evenings and weekends  Undergraduate degree obtainable by accumulating certificates  Young people and adults in the same classes Community Services Office  training and research tailored to groups with limited means  social groups involved in defining activities, according to their needs

A "new" university, attentive to the needs of the public Offering interdisciplinary programs From its inception, used technology in the service of education  First to computerize library catalogues  Computerization of student services (registration, marks)  and web sites for teachers and students  Computer labs in each faculty  Moodle platform for course development

UQAM’s contribution to Montreal’s creativity and innovation 40 years later A significant contribution to the democratization of higher education  40,000 students today  2,500 students from 80 countries  200,000 graduates – approximately 50% women UQAM trains school teachers  30% of teachers in Quebec  70% in the Montreal area UQAM contributes to language training of immigrants

UQAM today  300 undergraduate, Masters and PhD programs  6 faculties and a School of Management  37 departments and a School of Fashion Design  6 institutes  21 institutional research centres  58 research and innovation Chairs UQAM offers over 25 graduate programs in partnership  within the Université de Québec network  with other Montreal institutions  across Quebec  internationally

UQAM is a key element in Montreal’s creative identity and cultural life The most comprehensive arts curriculum in Canada Performance and exhibition spaces:  Cutting-edge dance, theatre, design, visual and media arts, music Recognized authors, actors and producers  Graduates in communications, theatre, literary studies Contribution to Montreal City of Design  School of Design, Design Centre, School of Fashion Contribution to the 3D animation and electronic games industry, pride of Montreal

UQAM trains new generations of entrepreneurs at the School of Management (ESG)  Largest French business school in Quebec (enrolment)  Third largest in Canada (enrolment)  Largest school of Actuarial Science in Canada Specialized training contributing to the growth or revitalization of industrial sectors in Montreal  Tourism, with the Institut de tourisme et d’hôtellerie du Québec  Project Management  Biotechnology Management  Fashion Management

UQAM is a pioneer in environmental science  Development of new interdisciplinary competencies  Engine of change in attitudes and practices The Faculty of Science contributes to five sustainable development challenges:  Preventive health and improvement of therapeutic interventions  Understanding the Earth system, the environment and ecology  Assessment and management of natural resources  Pure, applied and didactic mathematics  Technological innovation  Computer science  Nanomaterials  Microelectronics

UQAM’s human sciences programs contribute to our understanding of societies and to the well-being of the population:  Sociology, Psychology, Social Work, Sexology, History and Philosophy This helps improve the urban fabric UQAM contributes to health within Montréal Technopole  Health and Society Institute with more than 100 researchers in the sciences and human sciences  Main focus: prevention and the social determinants of health

A university in the heart of the city Main campus built above Montreal’s central subway station  Direct access to the Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec  Symbol of the accessibility of higher learning  Presence revitalizing Montreal’s Latin Quarter Pierre-Dansereau Science Complex  Ultramodern science complex  Behind the Place des Arts in the Quartier des Spectacles, undergoing major transformation  LEED certification  Coeur des sciences: providing science to the general public

Conclusion A very partial overview of UQAM’s contribution to creativity and innovation We hope this makes you want to learn more about UQAM and Montreal Thank you for your attention.