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Knowledge Creation

The Waterloo Region's advanced technology prowess is in large part a function of the presence of a world-class Knowledge Creation Cluster, represented by colleges, universities, research institutes, and enterprises, that generate very significant innovation and talent.

Excellence in Post Secondary Education

The universities and colleges in the Waterloo Region have extensive relationships with industry in the pursuit of research and development with market perspective. These relationships exist in several ways, through direct industry funding of research projects, to participation/funding related to Research Chairs, to funding/participation in Research Institutes at the local university/college, Ontario (Provincial Centres of Excellence), or Canadian (Networks of Centres of Excellence) level.		  

Quick Facts


Private sector research and development expenditure (2005) $347 million
Public sector research and development expenditure (2005) $200 million
Nearby research institutes 150
Post secondary institutions 16
Canada Research chairs 75
Post secondary enrollment in Waterloo Region (2007, full-time and part-time) 86,700

University of Waterloo

  • Ranked Canada’s #1 “Most Innovative”, "Leaders of Tomorrow," and Canada's top "Comprehensive University" (Maclean’s, 2008).
  • Known world-wide for its leading computer science, mathematics, & engineering programs. Arguably the largest pool of math and computer science talent in the world.
  • Accounts for:
    • 10 percent of Canada’s engineering graduates
    • 15 percent of Canada’s mathematics PhDs
    • 15 percent of Canada’s computer science PhDs
  • Home to the world’s largest enrollment in mathematics, 30 percent of all mathematics graduates (includes school of Computer Science) in Ontario get their degrees from the University of Waterloo
  • Recognized as the most successful technology commercialization university in Canada, the University of Waterloo is responsible for 28 percent of all high-tech firms born in Waterloo Region
  • The world’s largest co-operative education program
  • Canadian leader in technology transfer, with more than 100 technology-based spin-offs (including Certicom, DALSA, Open Text, and RIM)
  • Unique Intellectual Property policy (ownership remains with inventors)
Commercialization Centres and Research Parks:

Conestoga College

  • Ranked # 1 College in Ontario nine of the last ten years by the Ministry of Training, Colleges, and Universities
  • Ontario’s 1st Health Informatics Mgmt program
  • Unique diploma & apprenticeship programs

University of Guelph

  • One of Canada’s most research-intensive universities (Maclean’s Magazine, 2007).
  • Best known for its agri-bio, natural and physical sciences, social sciences and humanities programs.
  • Areas of academic and research expertise include agriculture, veterinary science, animal biotechnology, molecular biology, food technology, chemistry, biochemistry, genetics and animal breeding and physics.
  • External research funding of $100 million annually
  • MOUs with 30 Canadian universities & research institutes
  • New college for management & business-related programs

Wilfrid Laurier University

  • Second ranked for Ontario “Primarily Undergraduate Universities”
  • Best known for its excellence in business, economics and music programs, including post-graduate studies
  • Canada’s 1st 12-month MBA program
  • Centre for the Study of NEXT to study early stage ventures
  • Schlegel Centre for Entrepreneurship
    • School of Business & Economics
    • Centre for Business, Entrepreneurship & Technology
    • Unique cross-faculty format
    • Business community programs

Other Universities

Several of Canada’s largest research universities are within a one-hour drive of the Waterloo Region: University of Guelph, McMaster University, University of Toronto, York University, and University of Western Ontario.


Resource Documents

Description Download

Knowledge Creation Cluster Profile
“The model for Canada’s economic future: Waterloo Region”

“… it has relied on a century of change and innovation to produce one of Canada’s strongest economies. It’s a knowledge capital with a thriving entrepreneurial culture. It’s our future. If Canada is to prosper beyond the current commodities boom, we must learn from Waterloo’s success, or risk becoming a global economic backwater.”

Globe and Mail, Report on Business, April 25, 2006