An independent study has confirmed what many in the Capital Region have long known to be true: the University of Victoria is one of the biggest economic drivers in Greater Victoria and B.C.
Research by labour market analytics firm Emsi Burning Glass, the details of which were shared at a Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce event Monday (June 20), found that UVic activities and those of its students and alumni in 2019-20 added $3.3 billion to B.C.B次元官网网址檚 economy, a figure that translates into 40,595 jobs in this province, the Emsi report stated.
From a Greater Victoria standpoint, that impact amounted to $1.8 billion and 24,725 jobs, respectively, with roughly one in nine jobs supported by university activities. Figures from the 2020-21 fiscal year saw those totals rise significantly, to $1.9 billion (up by $100 million) and 25,224 jobs.
Areas of focus for the analysis included operations, research, construction, visitor and student spending, as well as spin-off companies and alumni impact.
B次元官网网址淯Vic is a proud partner in the Greater Victoria and B.C. economy,B次元官网网址� university president Kevin Hall said in a release. B次元官网网址淭he investment in our students, research and operations creates benefits for local businesses, community partners, taxpayers as well as society as a whole by creating a more prosperous economy. Without a doubt, our ability to make this impact relies on our partners and supporters.B次元官网网址�
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The extended impact of the university over the years reaches deep into the business community.
Sam Mod, CEO and founder of award-winning software and custom app developer FreshWorks Studio, said his past graduate studies at UVic in the MBA program (masters in business administration) gave him the foundation to achieve international success with his business.
B次元官网网址淲e have grown FreshWorks to 100-plus diverse individuals, representing 21 different countries and speaking 31 languages in beautiful Victoria. It helped us to put Victoria on the map,B次元官网网址� he said.
Looking at the impact of UVic operations alone, in 2020-21 its spending added $548.5 million to the regional economy, up $61.7 million from the previous year. Research spending was down from the previous year in 2020-21, largely due to the pandemic, but still added $78.4 million in income around the region.
Construction spending jumped from $14.3 million in 2019-20 to $36 million the following year.
B次元官网网址淯Vic is an important economic engine for Greater Victoria, not only as a large employer but also for the vital role it plays in educating the future workforce and contributing expertise, thought leadership and innovation,B次元官网网址� said Emilie de Rosenroll, founding CEO of the South Island Prosperity Partnership.
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