B.C. university named among world's best for innovation
Simon Fraser University has just received top marks in several key categories in a new global ranking of schools.
According to the annual listings from World University Rankings for Innovation (WURI), SFU is the number one university in Canada for innovation for the fifth consecutive year.
The WURI evaluates post-secondary institutions’ contributions to industry and society in 16 categories focused on education, research, and engagement.
On the global ranking, SFU placed 12th in the world for innovation, which is up three spots from the previous year.
An aerial view of Simon Fraser University’s Burnaby campus. (EB Adventure Photography/Shutterstock)
“I am proud of SFU’s ongoing achievements in innovation and commitment to making a difference through academic excellence, high-impact research and wide-reaching collaboration,” said SFU president Joy Johnson in a release.
“The WURI ranking is a wonderful recognition for faculty, staff, students, and community members who are finding innovative ways to address local and global challenges through entrepreneurship and social impact.”
WURI also assesses universities in categories such as entrepreneurial spirit, social responsibility, globalization, and adaptability to future challenges.
Other institutions at the top of the Global Top 400 Innovative Universities rankings include Minerva University at number one, Stanford at number six, and Harvard at number 11.
SFU also claimed the top school in Canada for entrepreneurial spirit, and third in Canada for industrial application responses to global challenges, based on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
We are number #1! 🏆
SFU tops the 2025 WURI rankings as the #1 university in Canada for innovation for the 5th straight year.
The university was also named #1 in Canada for entrepreneurial spirit, #3 for industrial application and #3 for its responses to global challenges.… pic.twitter.com/QD8ghpo4K4
— Simon Fraser University (@SFU) July 31, 2025
“SFU is proud to be recognized by WURI as the top university in Canada for innovation and entrepreneurial spirit,” added Dugan O’Neil, vice-president research and innovation.
“Our work is possible thanks to purposeful and valuable partnerships with industry, government, academia, and our communities — we could not do what we do without their support. We are also very proud of our researchers for taking on and tackling the greatest challenges of our time.”
SFU isn’t the only one raking in the accolades as UBC recently cracked the top 1 per cent of best universities in the world in an academic ranking.