Region : British Columbia
City : Abbotsford
Web site : www.ufv.ca
The University of the Fraser Valley (UFV), formerly known as University College of the Fraser Valley and Fraser Valley College, is a Canadian public university with campuses in Abbotsford, Chilliwack, Mission and Hope, British Columbia. Founded in 1974 as Fraser Valley College, it was a response to the need for expanded vocational training in the communities of the Fraser Valley. In 1988, it became a university college, with degree-granting status. As the University College of the Fraser Valley, it grew rapidly, becoming one of the largest university colleges in Canada.
In recognition of the growing needs for higher education within the region and in the province, the provincial government granted full university status on 21 April 2008. Student enrollment is now over 15,000 students annually.
In the 2010 The Globe and Mail Canadian University Report, UFV earned the most "A Range" grades of any post-secondary institution in British Columbia, receiving A grades in quality of education, student-faculty interaction, and ease of registration.
UFV is home to ten research centres and institutes; additionally, the Chilliwack Campus is the site of the new BC Centre of Excellence for Agriculture. Much of the research conducted at UFV, in particular through the activities of centres such as the Agriburban Research Centre and the Centre for Indo-Canadian Studies, focuses on issues of regional concern.
There are two Canada Research Chairs at UFV: Dr. Lenore Newman holds the Canada Research Chair in Food Security and the Environment, and Dr. Hugh Brodie holds the Canada Research Chair in Aboriginal Studies. Additionally, Dr. Irwin Cohen holds an RCMP Senior Research Chair in Crime Reduction.
UFV is designated a Special Purpose, Teaching University under the University Act, with a mandate to focus on regional undergraduate education. However, faculty members are also actively engaged in research, and UFV places major emphasis on providing research opportunities for undergraduate students and training in research skills. Students have opportunities to apply for grants and lead research projects, to co-author papers with professors, and to present papers at international conferences. UFV also promotes and recognizes student research through its Undergraduate Research Excellence Award program.
Sources : Wikipedia, www.ufv.ca
