June is often a time for big-picture reflection at Dal, when university leadership, faculty and staff pause to look back on the academic year that was and consider progress made on institutional priorities.聽 聽
And while the response to COVID-19 has made for a less predictable spring and summer period than usual, that reflective process has continued this year.
This week, the university published its 鈥� a look back at some of the highlights and achievements from the past year. This year鈥檚 report covers highlights from several key categories, including Teaching and Learning; Research; Innovation and Entrepreneurship; Service; Partnership and Reputation; and People, Infrastructure and Support.
新澳门六合彩开奖 President Deep Saini and members of the university's senior administration team held a virtual event last Thursday for faculty and staff to present highlights from the report as well as answer questions on a wide range of topics.
"After 200 years, it might seem as if 新澳门六合彩开奖 has seen everything 鈥� and then a year like 2020 happens and you know that鈥檚 certainly not the case," said Dr. Saini in remarks at the event.
"And yet, for all that changes, some things remain constant. Our students, faculty and staff continue to boldly push forward in their work 鈥� strengthening our academic experience, innovating in research and discovery, forming powerful new partnerships, and deepening our vital roots in Atlantic Canada and communities around the world."
Milestones in teaching and research
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Under the Teaching and Learning banner, the report notes a 2.1 per cent growth in Dal鈥檚 student enrolment during the past academic year and a nearly 30 per cent increase in postdoctoral fellows to 180 positions. Close to 24 per cent of students participated in work-integrated learning and students completed more than 2,200 total co-op work terms. Three new degree programs and 12 new certificates also received approval during the year.
But, as Dr. Saini noted Thursday, what many will remember most is adapting to meet the challenges of COVID-19.
聽鈥淚 particularly want to highlight the work in our teaching development team, that grew from four to 42 over a one-week period in March and put together dozens of new training sessions,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been a remarkable effort and an example of the power of community building in enhancing pedagogy 鈥� even during a pandemic.鈥�
On the Research front, Dal reached a new institutional high in total research funding of $181 million 鈥� a 30 per cent increase over what it was five years ago. In the past year alone, 15 Dal researchers were awarded grants or contracts valued at $1 million or more. Dal continued to perform well in Tri-Council competitions and to outpace U15 peers in publication rates.
The university also broke into the top 100 universities in the world in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, which is based on universities鈥� social, environmental and economic impact as measured against the UN Sustainable Development Goals 鈥� the same goals Dal's Research Strategic Direction is based on.
Community impact and the power of partnerships
For Innovation and Entrepreneurship, the report notes the launch of a new minor focused on the topic that saw 402 students enroll in 11 different courses. It also highlights the many new partnerships and young businesses that have been incubated in the university's sandbox spaces, through Creative Destruction Lab Atlantic, and through the Emera ideaHUB.
Images from the Annual Progress Report.<