When Waterloo was founded in 1957, it was an innovation in university education. Today, our co-operative education program has more students than the next four largest programs in the world combined.
A recent study of entrepreneurs showed that co-op terms were important to their development. The research also showed that work-integrated learning helped entrepreneurs by preparing them to:
- seize opportunities
- think outside-the-box
- be resilient during difficult times
- build networks
Co-op education inspires innovation
Every academic term, thousands of students complete paid co-op terms with established companies and organizations around the world. Our students bring practical industrial experience into our classrooms, labs and startup incubators. Every aspect of our innovation ecosystem is enriched by work-integrated learning.
WATERLOO’S CO-OP PROGRAM ADDS $567 MILLION TO CANADIAN GDP
ANNUAL STUDENT EARNINGS $265.5 MILLION
