Mr. Speaker, one of the many exciting developments to expect as we get closer to the launching of the polytechnic university is increased capacity for northern research. We know that the work underway to increase the number of researchers and build effective research supports for college partners and stakeholders across the Northwest Territories will serve as catalysts for northern social and economic development.
In the areas of research, Aurora College is starting from a place of strength and great promise for the future. In December, it was again recognized as one of Canada's Top 50 Research Colleges for 2020. Aurora College improved its overall ranking among the nation's top research colleges from 48th in 2019 to 29th in 2020, where it ranked in the top 10 in two categories: research growth and in research intensity. Mr. Speaker, Aurora College recognizes the importance of ongoing collaborations and partnerships with other institutions, Indigenous and community governments, and non-governmental organizations. Leading efforts to ensure the success of research partners is an important part of the work already underway at Aurora College. During a year of significant public health restrictions that threatened long-term research initiatives, Aurora College found innovative ways to leverage its strong presence across the Northwest Territories and helped support the territorial, national, and international research community during these challenging times.
Aurora College continues to take steps to increase research capacity in advance of becoming a polytechnic university. In addition to adding seven new Aurora College research associates who will bring new perspectives and ideas, Aurora College also formalized research partnerships with Hotii Ts'eeda and the Institute of Circumpolar Health Research. These partnerships strengthen northern research capacity and increase the ability to access federal funding.
Mr. Speaker, over the coming year, Aurora College will continue building research capacity with the hiring of three new research chair positions. Aurora campus in Inuvik will see the establishment of a climate change adaptation research chair; Thebacha campus in Fort Smith will house the research chair for Indigenous approaches to environmental management; and the Yellowknife North Slave campus will see the addition of a health and community research chair. These positions are supported through the college's partnership with ArcticNet, a network of centres of excellence of Canada, and will help to strengthen the initial areas of teaching and research specialization for the polytechnic university.
Mr. Speaker, we see the future polytechnic university sitting at the centre of our knowledge economy and building a stronger future for our businesses and residents, including by empowering our youth to be research leaders of the future. The college accessed external funding this year to create youth and student positions in research, administrative, and logistic roles. This project encourages youth to pursue their interest in education and employment in science, technology, engineering, and math, or STEM. The journey to build research capacity will not end with the establishment of a polytechnic university in 2025; it will continue to empower students to understand and respond to the challenges they face for generations to come. All of this work will support the college's successful transformation to a polytechnic university, an institution where research will be a part of every aspect. Building on current research experience on topics such as climate change, permafrost, heavy metals in soil, renewable energy feasibility studies, intimate partner violence, and many others, the polytechnic university will work to forge stronger ties with Indigenous governments, communities, industry, and the business community to ensure we always look ahead to a stronger, more prosperous, and resilient future.
I want to commend Aurora College for the success it has achieved as they work to create the northern research leaders of tomorrow at an institution that will be built in the North, for the North, and by the North. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.