Establishment of a mechanism to transfer knowledge and research to SMEs - Canada's new government awards $6.6 million in funding to the Université de
DATELINE: SHERBROOKE June 11
While passing through the region today, the Honourable Christian Paradis, Member of Parliament for Mégantic-L'Érable and Secretary of State for Agriculture, announced on behalf of the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Labour and Minister of Canada Economic Development, that the Université de Sherbrooke will receive $6.6 million in non-repayable funding from Canada's new government to establish the Centre d'excellence en génie de l'information (CEGI).
This centre of international calibre will be dedicated to conducting research in collaboration with the industry. Located on the Université de Sherbrooke campus, the CEGI will offer a range of interdisciplinary research activities associated with information engineering and include the involvement of the faculties of engineering, science, medicine, health sciences and physical and sports education.
The contribution from Canada Economic Development will serve initially to equip the CEGI with a scientific experimentation hall that, the only one of its kind in Canada and abroad, will seek to accelerate the transfer of new technologies for industrial applications in such leading-edge sectors as telecommunications, telehealth, bio-engineering, micro/nanotechnologies and robotics.
The CEGI will then proceed with the installation of world-class, state-of-the-art micro- and nano-fabrication facilities (cleanrooms) for the rapid prototyping of photonic and electronic sensors and components. These facilities will complement the existing manufacturing line and meet the demands of industrial stakeholders.
"Today's announcement reflects the determination of Canada's new government to invest in the knowledge-based economy. Our economic plan provides for more than $500 million in funding over the next year to support the modernization of research infrastructure in our universities, colleges, research hospital and other establishments throughout Canada," stated the Secretary of State.
The CEGI project will help optimize synergy among innovation stakeholders, foster the transfer of knowledge to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and promote the development of a highly qualified labour force. By the year 2017, some 50 existing SMEs and spin-off companies are expected to have associated themselves with the work of the CEGI so as to bolster their performance, rapidly develop innovative products and accelerate the marketing of these innovations.
"I am also delighted that the establishment of the CEGI will help consolidate 48 jobs and create an additional 36 research positions within the next 10 years. It is estimated that about 100 jobs requiring highly-skilled labour will be created within existing SMEs and another 50 within spin-off enterprises as a result of this project. The CEGI is therefore sure to have a major impact on Quebec's information technology industry and to help that industry increasingly hold its own in the face of world competition," the Secretary of State concluded.
CONTACT:Lyne Montpellier, Communications, Canada Economic Development, (819)371-5182, 1-800-567-8637, lyne.montpellier@dec-ced.gc.ca; Mark Quinlan, Communications Director, Office of the Honourable Christian Paradis, (613)759-1107, quinlanm@agr.gc.ca; Canada Economic Development is online at www.dec-ced.gc.ca. Subscribe to the Agency's press releases at www.dec-ced.gc.ca/asp/SalleNouvelles/acces_personnalise.asp?LANG=EN to keep up with the latest news.