Universities are distinct environments, ideally suited to fostering innovation and creativity. At a research-intensive university like the University of Alberta, individuals are provided with the tools to identify problems, understand them deeply and work with others to explore new answers and new directions.
But breakthroughs don’t happen in a silo. They emerge through past efforts, leveraging the latest technology and harnessing the power of multiple perspectives in new ways of collaborating. This is the philosophy behind the U of A’s approach to innovation.
The work we are doing today at the U of A builds on discoveries of the past, especially in our well-established areas of global impact — artificial intelligence, health and well-being, and energy and environment — as well as growing areas like agriculture and food, Indigenous research, and social transformations.
One exciting advantage the university has is its global status in artificial intelligence. The U of A ranks within the top two in Canada and among the top globally for AI.
AI and machine learning draw on the expertise of diverse disciplines to advance solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Right now at the U of A, researchers are harnessing the power of machine learning to: more effectively manage herds of cattle; reduce energy use and operating costs in buildings; and help patients get a diagnosis in seconds, regardless of where they are.
At the U of A we are not only innovating in the work we do but also in how we do it. A bold new academic structure brings together academic faculties under three umbrella colleges. This structure offers greater potential for identifying, nurturing and seizing opportunities for enhanced collaborations across traditional knowledge and disciplinary boundaries — and for exploring new creative methodologies. This strengthens the U of A’s ability to target large-scale, multidisciplinary research initiatives, while retaining a focus on fundamental research.
The need for universities to collaborate and build relationships spans all of our work, from incorporating cutting-edge technology in the classrooms and labs to partnering with industry, academia and government as together we tackle the major challenges facing the globe. The importance of always integrating the principles of equity, diversity, inclusion, decolonization and reconciliation has never been greater, because the challenges facing society can only be addressed by harnessing the broadest range of perspectives. The University’s strategic plans for EDI and Indigenous activities provide a framework for research and innovation to be truly transformative.
Innovators must be nimble and forward-thinking to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. By creating an innovative and creative ecosystem, as the University of Alberta is focused on doing, we can maximize our impact and contribute to a better world for all. Building on our past strengths while utilizing new academic and administrative structures to accelerate collaboration, the University of Alberta is focused on an exciting future.
