Université de Saint-Boniface

USB at a glance

The Université de Saint-Boniface (USB) is the oldest post-secondary educational institution in Western Canada and is the only French-language university in Manitoba. It is located in the Francophone quarter, in the very heart of the city of Winnipeg. Its intercultural learning environment is characterized by inclusion and diversity.

The vision of the Université de Saint-Boniface

An essential French-speaking sphere of knowledge and excellence where the student unites his pride in being with his ambition to become.

The institutional values of the Université de Saint-Boniface

• Open-mindedness: Stimulate the thirst for discovery through the generation of new ideas and knowledge, active listening and constructive exchanges that inspire the desire to learn.
• Resilience: Meeting together, with flexibility, ingenuity, tenacity and a spirit of collaboration, the challenges of a constantly changing world.
• Respect: Valuing what brings us together, celebrating our differences and promoting diversity.
• Commitment: Inspiring pride in being and acting while nurturing and supporting a feeling of belonging to the Francophonie that is as strong as it is lasting.
• Integrity: Demonstrating authenticity, honesty, ethics and consistency, essential attributes that characterize us in words and actions.

The campus

The Université de Saint-Boniface campus is located in the heart of the peaceful and green Saint-Boniface Francophone neighborhood in Winnipeg. Located near many services such as cafes, restaurants and a hospital, the USB campus is full of activities for its student clientele.

The main building houses classrooms, two gymnasiums, a fitness center (Sportex), a library, a place of prayer, a student center including a cafeteria, computer and science laboratories, two videoconference rooms , a student radio, a sound studio and an amphitheater.

Inaugurated in 2011, the Marcel-A.-Desautels Pavilion houses the health sciences programs and the School of Social Work. Built at a cost of $ 11.5 million, this building includes 5 classrooms, 3 nursing laboratories, 1 simulation center, 2 videoconferencing rooms and 27 offices. The Pavilion obtained a “Gold” rating from the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program in February 2013, confirming that its design, construction and use meet high performance ecological standards.

A stone's throw from this study environment, University students have access to a friendly residence of 58 apartments located close to restaurants, shops, grocery stores and activities available to them in the warm francophone quarter of Winnipeg. This residence, named after Père-Théophile-Lavoie-OMI, offers accommodation with one or two bedrooms as well as studios. Living in a residence enriches student life and allows for memorable encounters while learning to share common spaces in a spirit of openness and respect.

Research and achievements

Université de Saint-Boniface is recognized more than ever for the excellence, dynamism and innovative nature of the research work carried out by the members of its faculty.

Rich and diversified, research tends to develop using USB around poles that are specific to it, for example health, the French-speaking world and Métis identity. USB maintains a privileged relationship with the Francophone community of Manitoba and is also constantly increasing its influence in the field of science.

Active for 25 years, the USB Research Office hosts in particular the Center for Franco-Canadian West Studies (CEFCO), the Presses Universitaires de Saint-Boniface (PUSB), the Canada Research Chair on migrations, circulations and francophone communities (CRC-MCCF), and formerly the Canada Research Chair on Métis Identity (CRCIM) and the University-Community Research Alliance on Francophone Identities of the West (ARUC -I FO).

Action research, collaboration with community organizations, support for obtaining grants, a permanent link with the community, interdisciplinary grouping and the inclusion of students are at the heart of the research programs of USB and promote the establishment nationally and internationally.