McMaster University, Canada

Listed among the top 100 universities in the global ranking (2009) of the Shanghai Jia Tong University, Mcmaster is a public research institution, offering over 200 bachelor’s, Masters and doctoral degree programmes to 23,325 students

Sited on a scenic 300-acre campus on the western tip of Lake Ontario, McMaster University (estb.1887) is nationally and internationally reputed for academic and research innovation, and in particular for promoting inter-disciplinary learning. Listed among the top 100 universities in the global ranking (2009) of the Shanghai Jia Tong University, McMaster is a public research institution, offering over 200 bachelor’s, Masters and doctoral degree programmes to 23,325 students. Its faculties of health sciences and engine-ering are especially well-reputed, and the university has been named Canada’s most innovative medical-doctoral institution eight times in the past 11 years by the Toronto-based Maclean’s magazine. Moreover the university is credited with designing the ‘McMaster Model’ — a student-centred, problem-based, interdisciplinary learning system — which has been adopted by several universities around the world.

“More than three decades ago, McMaster University adopted a new approach to education. Since then, small-group problem-based learning and inquiry have become hallmarks of the university, now extended into every faculty and available to all under-graduate students during the course of their degree programmes. The true power of the McMaster learning systems is that it combines with our student focus, emphasis on community service, and spirit of innovation to create curious, inventive, insatiable and effective lifelong learners. The real impact of all the things McMaster does in learning is that we create the best lifelong learners in the world,” says Dr. Peter George, president and vice chancellor of the university.

Founded in 1887 and named after banker-cum-senator William McMaster who bequeathed substantial funds to endow “a Christian school of learning”, the university is the only North American host site of a United Nations University and participates in more than 65 international exchange programmes with higher education institutions around the world.  Moreover with a total sponsored research income of C$345 million (Rs.1,518 crore), McMaster ranks first in Canada in research intensity averaging C$308,000 per faculty member.

Hamilton. Perched on the western tip of Lake Ontario, Hamilton (pop. 505,000) is the fourth largest city in Ontario province and the ninth largest in Canada. Ranked 7th among the country’s most business-enabling cities by Canadian Business, Hamilton’s economy was hitherto led by the steel and heavy manufacturing industries. However within the past decade, there has been a shift towards service industries, particularly the health sciences. The Hamilton Health Sciences Corporation employs nearly 10,000 staff and serves approximately 2.2 million people in the region. Hamilton also hosts the world famous Royal Botanical Gardens, the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, the Bruce Trail, The Erland Lee (Museum) Home and Mohawk College, the largest skilled trades college in Ontario province.

Less than an hour’s drive from the Niagara Falls and downtown Toronto, it is also within easy driving distance to Montreal, Ottawa, Buffalo, Detroit and upstate New York. Hamilton’s climate is moderate compared with the rest of Canada with winter temperatures averaging -8oC and summer 21oC.

Campus facilities. McMaster’s sprawling 300-acre campus, the interior of which is accessible only to pedestrians and cyclists, is sited at the western end of Lake Ontario. With its 45 buildings spread over a total of 367,027 sq.m of floor space, the varsity’s campus features 72 varieties of trees and shrubs. Nearby attractions include Cootes Paradise, the Bruce Trail, the Niagara Escarpment, Waterfront Trail, and the Royal Botanical Gardens.

McMaster’s library network comprises the Mills Memorial Library (humanities and social sciences), Innis Library (business), the H.G. Thode Library of Science and Engineering, and the Health Sciences Library. Together they house more than 2 million volumes, 1,423,102 microform items, 174,956 non-print items and 11,041 linear feet of archival material. Current journal subscriptions number 11,880.

Sports and recreation facilities available to students include the Ivor Wynne and David Braley Athletic centres which house nine gymnasiums, an Olympic-sized pool, 200 m indoor track, squash courts, climbing wall, the David Braley Sport Medicine and Rehabilitation Centre and one of the largest fitness centres in Canada. The newly inaugurated Ronald V. Joyce Stadium is a 6,000-seat multi-sports venue. Other on-campus facilities include bookstore, pharmacy, restau-rants and a health centre. Students also have the choice of signing up with 120 clubs and organisations.

Admission. The minimum requirements for admission into McMaster’s undergraduate programmes are successful completion of Plus Two and English language proficiency (students are encouraged to submit TOEFL or IELTS test scores). For admission into postgraduate progra-mmes, a first class bachelor’s degree is required in addition to English language proficiency. Some academic departments specify special admission criteria. For admission into term beginning Sept-ember, overseas students must submit the completed application together with academic transcripts and other documentation before April 1.

For further information contact McMaster University Admissions, GH 108 1280 Main Street West; Hamilton ON; Canada L8S 4L8; Tel: ++ 905 525 4600; Fax ++ 905 527 1105; e-mail: www.macadmit.ca: website: www. mcmaster.ca.

Accommodation. Over 3,500 students live in McMaster’s 12 residences, located within the central campus offering scenic vistas of Lake Ontario and its environs with dining, libraries and state-of-the-art sports facilities — all within five minutes walking distance. The residences offer a choice of traditional, apartment and suite-style options. All residence students purc-hase one of five meal plans, which work on a flexible debit card system. Students can use their meal cards in 18 dining locations, six of which are off-campus restaurants.

Degree programmes. McMaster’s six faculties offer over 130 under-graduate and 65 graduate degree programmes (see box).

Summiya Yasmeen