Even before Alberta became a province in September 1905, the citizens of a very young Calgary were determined to host a post-secondary institution as part of building a great city. In 1906, the Alberta Normal School (which would later become our own Werklund School of Education) began operations and provided a steady stream of educators for a new province eager to grow and advance quickly. When the University of Alberta was founded in 1908 in Strathcona (now part of Edmonton), Calgarians were disappointed with the "branch plant" concept that ensued and lobbied for decades for an independent institution of their own. Students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors and volunteers joined together to support the cause, with great passion and commitment.
Their dedication was finally rewarded on April 29, 1966 when the University of Calgary was granted autonomy. From there, growth was fast and furious, as a new campus took shape and innovative educators came to Calgary from around the world. In 2016-17, the University of Calgary marked its 50th Anniversary as an autonomous institution.
The University of Calgary is Canada's leading next-generation university; a living, growing and youthful institution that embraces change and opportunity with a can-do attitude in Canada's most enterprising city. The university has a clear strategic direction to become one of Canada's top five research universities by 2016, grounded in innovative learning and teaching, and fully integrated with the community of Calgary. Supporting industry and businesses locally, nationally and internationally, the University of Calgary strives to serve the community and reflect its values, while working to find solutions to some of the most challenging problems facing society today.
As a major Canadian research-intensive institution, the University of Calgary has 14 faculties, 53 departments and more than 200 academic programs. The University of Calgary also has 77 Canada Research Chairs, generated $325 million of sponsored research income in 2013-14 and is home to 85 research centres building knowledge in areas including health, social sciences, business and energy and the environment. The University of Calgary is on the cusp of transformational change guided by a bold vision and ambitious plans. Among universities younger than 50 years, we currently rank first in Canada and among the top 10 worldwide, according to the QS ranking.
We value people who interact with others in an inclusive and respectful manner. We offer high-quality programs and services to promote health and safety, foster community morale and meet the diverse needs of all we serve.
There's more to university success than classes, labs and lectures. Attending university is your time to explore and grow personally, intellectually and spiritually. Ambrose offes you the opportunity to define yourself and your future path in life. No matter your interests, you'll find a way to get involved at Ambrose. Student clubs and chapel services, leadership opportunities and sport, help you find your place in university life. In addition, our residence and student development services are here to support you along the way. As an Ambrose student, you'll be a part of this community that truly cares about who you are and what you are capable of achieving.
Ambrose is the official post-secondary institution of two Christian denominations: The Christian and Missionary Alliance in Canada and the Church of the Nazarene Canada. However, we welcome students of any faith background and our students and faculty come from roughly 50 denominations. We pursue faith-inspired learning: ours is a supportive yet challenging learning environment in which students can pursue their academic interests and prepare for their careers while also exploring and deepening their faith. By integrating faith and advanced learning, we provide an outstanding university education that's rooted in the Christian intellectual, theological, spiritual, and missional traditions. We encourage students' personal and spiritual formation, and we make space for students and faculty to explore and express their faith through everything they learn and teach.