Western University; Everything You Need To Know

Western University, also referred to as the University of Western Ontario (UWO), is a publicly-funded research institution situated in London, Ontario, Canada. The main campus spans over 455 hectares (1,120 acres) and is situated within residential areas, with the Thames River running through its eastern section. The university comprises twelve faculties and schools and is part of the U15, a consortium of research-focused universities in Canada.

Bishop Isaac founded Western University in March 7, 1878. In 1881 the University opened its doors to students as four faculties (Arts, Divinity, Law and medicine) were there at Western’s inception. 

The college was purchased from the Kingsmill family in 1916 and was renamed The University of Western Ontario in 1923. Apparently, he University of Western Ontario, also known as Western University or Western, is a public research university in London, Ontario, Canada operation twelve academic faculties and schools.

It is also a co-educational university, with more than 24,000 students, and over 306,000 living alumni worldwide. Notable alumni include government officials, academics, business leaders, Nobel Laureates, Rhodes Scholars, and distinguished fellows.

CAMPUS AND FACILITIES

Considered Canada’s most beautiful university, Western’s main campus spans 481.2 hectares of Gothic-style buildings mixed with modern, LEED-certified structures that provide an idyllic environment for our community of scholars.

The university is located in London, Canada, a safe, vibrant and welcoming community of more than 383,000 people serving as a regional medical and industrial hub for southwestern Ontario.

Western boasts more than 7 million square feet of space in 87 buildings that are joined together by 16 km of roadway and 15 km of sidewalks situated on more than 500 acres of land. There are more than 7,000 parking spaces available in 21 lots.

ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

Your journey after high school is certainly Western University with an assured bright future. With choices or programs, Western is socked with flexible to mix and match interest and experiences, and the possibility to unlock new passions.

Some of the programs include arts & humanities, engineering, health science, kinesiology, nursing, Information & media studies, music, science, medical science, social science, DAN management & organizational studies, medicine & dentistry, law, education, just to mention a few.

Western University is certainly the college to find a strong educational background with research opportunities you’re passionate about. 

RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES

Western excels in moving research out of the labs and into the lives of people around the world through public- and private-sector partnerships. Western University’s researchers collaborate with colleagues across the campus, country and globe to inform policy on the world stage.

Western’s research drives discovery and influences the way we live. Research program is a channel undergraduates can get first-hand experience and make co tact with research professor or adjunct faculty member whose research program is of interest.

Honors Specialization modules offered by the Department of Microbiology and Immunology includes an independent research project supervised by a faculty member; lectures on laboratory safety, biosafety, use of animals in research, scientific integrity; scientific communication (two seminars and a written report).

The Dean’s Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (DUROP) provides outstanding science and basic medical science undergraduate students the opportunity to acquire research experience with a faculty member at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, and to discover the value of a biomedical research career.

Also, NSERC Undergraduate Student Research Awards (USRA) enable undergraduate students to gain valuable research experience. With the support of faculties and staff of Western University, students are secured with amazing research experience.  

FACULTY AND STAFF 

Combining more than 1,350 faculty members and more than 30,000 students, the university has established itself as a globally recognized destination for academic excellence and leadership development achieved through learning and research.

Western prides itself on challenging the best and brightest faculty, staff and students to commit to the highest global standards. Through 11 faculties, a school of graduate and postdoctoral studies,  and three affiliated university colleges, this vibrant center of learning offers its students more than 400 specializations, majors and minors as well as innovative modular degree structures allowing students to combine numerous disciplines.

Joshua Yi (Honours Specialization in Microbiology & Immunology), Vincent Santaguida (Honours Specialization in Microbiology & Immunology with Pathology), Colette Benko (Honours Specialization in Biochemistry of Infection and Immunity), just to mentiona a few are some professors at Western University of whom student gets a remarkable student life. 

STUDENT LIFE

Western appeals to students with a broad world view, those seeking to study, engage with and eventually lead in the global community. Students from more than 100 countries share in classroom experiences that broaden personal perspectives and understanding.

Beyond campus, students are engaged in a variety of international study-abroad, research and volunteer opportunities. Students are secured with athletic/social engagement that together fosters a life-long sense of pride and belonging to the Western community.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

A primary objective of Western International is to support an environment and community that promotes the education of global-ready graduates. Community Engaged Learning (CEL) allows students the opportunity to take their skills beyond the walls of the classroom and into the community.

CEL experiences partner students with groups, individuals, and organizations in the London region and abroad to tackle important problems and issues. At the heart of this work is the promise of community-driven problem solving, collaboration, and mutually beneficial outcomes for students and community partners alike.

Our programming ensures that students reflect, connect, and thrive. Through community engagement, Students become more aware and involved citizens, apply learning, gain valuable experience, and contribute to society.

SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVES

The World’s Challenge Challenge provides unique opportunity for globally students to collaborate on ideas to tackle world’s most pressing issues.

Western University students as part of the World’s Challenge Challenge competition showed their acute understanding of problems related to sustainability and are putting their best efforts together to suggest solutions.

Again, Western University signed a significant partnership agreement between Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) and Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) to advance collaborative research in health and environmental science, clean energy and nuclear safety. These indicates Western’s notable achievement over the year towards sustainability initiatives. 

NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS AND ALUMNI

Western University secured the top 1 per cent of universities in the world, recognized for leadership in education, research and healthcare. Western was recognized for its educational programmes and media in the area of sustainable tourism, in the 19^th edition of the Skål International Tourism Awards.

The University in 2018 became the first university in Canada to become a Bee City Campus. Western’s Hospitality Services group was recognized with a Silver in the Waste Management category of the 2014 Sustainability Awards, presented by the National Association of College and University Food Services.

Students of Western are bright, enthusiastic and stand at the top of their class. Hence, Western’s alumni, a network of 305,000 across more than 150 countries, are making significant contributions in every corner of society be it business or medicine, politics or engineering, music or athletics.

With its commitment in strategic future outlook and to improve students, knowledge, below are some of Western’s prominent alumni; 

• Alan Thicke: Canadian actor, songwriter
• Simu Liu: Canadian actor and stuntman
• Kevin O’Leary: Canadian businessman, entrepreneur, author, politician, and television presenter
• David Furnish: Canadian filmmaker and former advertising executive
• Jagmeet Singh: Canadian politician

FUTURE OUTLOOK

Western has an impressive track record of success, in striving to achieve its strategic plan, Western University will need to continually develop its unique physical infrastructure to attract the brightest students and faculty from across Canada and around the world.

After a broad consultation process in 2020-2021, Western’s Strategic Plan Steering Committee identified three overarching themes (Western is ready to do more and be more; to build a more inclusive Western where everyone thrives through belonging, and to renew its campus; strengthen its partnership with London, create a more sustainable future and engage the world).

The university invested an amount of $6 million to support new equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) initiative. Western is committed to enhance admission and improvement in its work as well as in the development of knowledge and skills

ADMISSION PROCESS

Western continues to educate, support and encourage leaders who think and act boldly in response to the grand challenges of our time to serve the public good. Please note that at Western, early offers of admission, scholarships, and residence will be extended to current Ontario high school students who have maintained exceptional academic records. 

Note the following before starting your application to Western University:

Application will open on OUAC in October. All Western undergraduate students begin their studies in the Fall semester (September). A Summer (May) start is available for students who aren’t applying from high school. Be informed that there is no Winter (January) admission for undergraduate programs. Apply as early as January 12, 2023 and March 1, 2023 to maximize your chances of admission. 

Now, join Western University undergraduate by using the following steps to apply: 

• Start by creating your OUAC account.
• OUAC will send you an email to verify your email address.

In order to apply to graduate studies at Western, it is important that you understand the essential elements of the Western graduate school application. No application will be considered until it is complete. The responsibility rests with the applicant to ensure that all documents (e.g., transcripts, letters of recommendation, test results such as TOEFL scores, GRE scores) are submitted.

CONCLUSION

As one of Canada’s largest research-intensive universities, Western University boasts researchers, teachers and graduate students who are leaders in their fields and conduct innovative research in some of the world’s most exciting and emerging areas.

Through its dedication to excellence in graduate education, Western offers its graduate students first-class research facilities and infrastructure, competitive funding packages, and Canada’s fourth-largest academic library system. Some of Canada’s foremost scientists, entrepreneurs, CEO’s, academics and public servants have studied at Western University. 

Western University; Everything You Need To Know by SchoolsinOntario