University of Waterloo
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Students from across Canada and around the world choose Waterloo each year because of our reputation as one of North America's top universities.
Many of our undergraduate programs (for high school and transfer students) and our graduate programs rank among the best in the world.
Physics and Astronomy professor Donna Strickland earned a Nobel Prize in Physics for her breakthrough work on chirped pulse amplification in lasers which helped develop technology such as eye surgery, laser printers, and scanners used in retail stores.
Dr. Strickland became only the third woman in history to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics.
Ignition Schools celebrates the top 50 universities worldwide that play a pivotal role in shaping the future economy by generating groundbreaking research, producing top-tier graduates, and fostering entrepreneurship.
The ranking includes factors such as the research impact on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and research centres with a focus on sustainability.
Social impact rank includes issues such as employability, health and wellbeing, equality, and knowledge exchange.
travel_explore Read from uwaterloo.ca on 13 Aug 2026. Check with the university before you rely on a date or a figure.
