Ontario’s universities recognize that in today’s rapidly shifting geo-political environment, institutions must prioritize both research security and openness, collaboration, equity, diversity and inclusion – each a vital component of discovery and innovation.
It is why, with a shared goal to safeguard Ontario’s research ecosystem, universities across the province have come together to lead the ecosystem in the development of leading practices in safeguarding research.
A Shared Commitment by Universities to Protect Ontario’s Research identifies leading principles and practices within a framework that guides Ontario’s universities to implement reasonable and risk-based measures to safeguard investments in research.
Global cooperation and engagement in research and innovation are central to the ongoing success of Ontario’s universities, as well as our province’s economic development. These partnerships bring us new innovations in key industries, such as life sciences and advanced manufacturing, and sharpen Ontario’s competitive edge as a world-class destination that converts ground-breaking research into tangible benefits and economic prosperity.
While these partnerships are valuable, universities are steadfast in their commitment to ensure vigilance – safeguarding research so that it continues to deliver these tangible benefits within Ontario and Canada.
Read more about the Ontario Council on University Research’s Safeguarding Research Working Group here.
“I am pleased to be able to share these leading, uniquely Ontario-made practices on research security. Recognizing their shared goal to help safeguard Ontario’s research ecosystem, universities across the province have come together to demonstrate their leadership in this area, prioritizing research security as well as openness, collaboration and equity, diversity and inclusion. These new practices also highlight the critical role of partnerships for advancing economic development and training, and emphasize open scholarship as an important avenue for broadly advancing knowledge.”
– Charmaine Dean, Vice-President, Research and Innovation, University of Waterloo; Chair, OCUR Safeguarding Research Working Group
Ontario’s universities will continue to partner with all levels of government – as well as allies through the G7 research security and integrity working group – to ensure research is secure.
In fact, many Ontario universities have been leaders in working beyond provincial boundaries, establishing a national security framework for university research and driving the creation of the Government-Universities Working Group on Research Security.
In addition, each Ontario university implements risk assessment processes, adopts shared principles that align with government guidelines and provides education and training for staff and researchers on the critical issue of safeguarding research.
University research offices will continue to support open and collaborative research environments to help propel creativity and advance research discoveries for the benefit of Ontario and Canada, while ensuring that research is conducted securely on campuses and continues to be converted into tangible benefits and economic prosperity.
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