McGill is Canada's best-known university, ranked among the world's finest publicly funded universities. It offers the highest of standards and an exciting and unique learning environment in the heart of Montreal. It is Canada's leading research-intensive university.

Facts 2004-2005 offers a sampling of facts about McGill, its many programs and fields of expertise, as well as some of the great people who study, teach and innovate at the University.

McGill is a dynamic place. Interdisciplinary hubs like the Pain Research Centre and the Tools for Nanoscience research facility are among the finest in the world. The Faculty of Music's new building will house innovative research, teaching and performance space that is unique in North America. McGill's leadership position is being further solidified by new facilities such as the proteomics and genomics research building and the new McGill University Health Centre, which will begin construction shortly.

It is people who are McGill's most valuable resource. McGill students are the best and brightest from Quebec and Canada, and around the world. McGill's faculty are outstanding, and each year, more distinguished professors and researchers join the University. Under its academic renewal plan, McGill is hiring 100 new professors each year, bringing new knowledge, ideas and energy to build on its strengths and history to create a remarkable future.

Principal Heather Munroe-Blum (left) welcomes first-year students on the downtown campus at the start of the 2004-2005 academic year. In January 2003, Dr. Munroe-Blum became the 16th Principal and Vice-Chancellor of McGill University. She is a member of the Faculty of Medicine and a professor in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics.