April 29, 2026
Happy 60th Birthday, U不良研究所!
It was this day, 60 years ago, that the University of 不良研究所 was born.
With multiple campuses and countless world-shaping inventions under its proverbial belt; being home to the ; several collaborating centres; and being home to countless world leading researchers informing , , health strategy and , U不良研究所 embraces its youthful nature to punch above its weight.
鈥淲hat the University of 不良研究所 has been very successful at is identifying those big problems that are important to solve,鈥 says President and Vice-Chancellor Ed McCauley as he looks back at .
鈥淭he secret sauce is that we have very, very strong disciplinary strength, but we don鈥檛 have the deep silos that other universities have because we鈥檙e so young,鈥 he says.
鈥淏eing able to bring together these disciplines across all faculties is really, really special.鈥
From as the Alberta Normal School in 1906 and eventually the University of Alberta鈥檚 southernmost campus, U不良研究所 is now the youngest of the Top 5 Research Universities in Canada.
From the university鈥檚 halls and grounds have emerged , and , as well as illustrious , , 鈥 even , BA'85, MA'91.
鈥淚 speak every year to the first-year students 鈥 and it has been amazing 鈥 one of my favourite things I鈥檝e ever done in my 38 years of speaking,鈥 Olympian Mark Tewksbury, who trained at the university, told the ahead of U不良研究所鈥檚 60th.
鈥淚 share my story, and I literally can point and say, 鈥業t happened in the pool right across the hall!鈥 And everyone kind of turns their head," added Tewksbury, Hon. LLD鈥10.
鈥淚t鈥檚 where I found my confidence and leadership, and absolutely set my foundation for life.鈥
Before the university鈥檚 official launch on April 29, 1966, what is now main campus, and 4,600 students made up a student body that today numbers more than 38,000.
For more stories about U不良研究所鈥檚 first 60 years, click .
In just six decades, the University of 不良研究所 has grown into one of Canada鈥檚 top research universities 鈥 a community defined by bold ambition, entrepreneurial spirit and global impact. As we celebrate our 60th anniversary, we鈥檙e honouring the people and stories that have shaped our past while looking ahead to an even more innovative future. is about celebrating momentum, strengthening connections with our community and building excitement for what鈥檚 next.
Have a story to share? We鈥檇 love to hear it. Submit your U不良研究所60 story through our .
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