1. Campaign Waterloo Raises $515 million

    June 30, 2009 by AURP Canada

    Campaign impact shows how great philanthropy can “make a huge difference”

    Waterloo, ON, June 29 / CNW / – The University of Waterloo has reached “new heights in philanthropic giving,” raising more than half-a-billion dollars over the course of the campaign that has transformed the university and its community, says Bob Harding, chair of the university’s board of governors.

    Campaign Waterloo has raised more than $515 million, nearly double its original goal of $260 million and significantly surpassing its subsequent “stretch goal” of $350 million.  During the campaign, Waterloo attracted four of the 10 largest gifts ever made to education in Canada.

    Only two other universities have surpassed $500 million in fundraising campaigns - University of Toronto and University of Alberta – and both are significantly larger and older institutions.

    “This hugely successful campaign is classic Waterloo, the university that dared to be unconventional and ask ‘why not?’ and is now one of Canada’s best universities” says Harding, who also served as campaign chair.  “It demonstrates the power of philanthropy to make a huge difference in the future of a university, a community, a country.”

    Harding says this became possible because “our alumni, students, faculty and staff, individuals, plus many corporate partners – over 58,000 donors in all collaborated in creating opportunities for this university to build a better future, for Canada and the world.”

    Those philanthropists range from Boaz Van Veen, who was four years old when he contributed his piggybank’s contents to Waterloo’s Alzheimer research program, to Mike and Ophelia Lazaridis, who donated $101 million to support the Institute for Quantum Computing and Quantum-Nano Centre.  The latter leveraged an additional $100 million from federal and provincial governments, plus $100 million from other sources, creating a $300-million investment in research that may transform everything from communications to medicine.

    Louise Frechette, former United Nations Deputy Secretary General, and long-time senior Canadian diplomat now serving a three-year term at the Centre for International Governance Innovation, says Waterloo has also strengthened its connections to the global community through enterprising endeavors such as the Balsillie School of International Affairs made possible by generosity of RIM Co-CEO Jim Balsillie.

    “CIGI and the Balsillie School are already major players win the international stage, examining ways humanity is dealing with issues such as global security, resources, environment, and nuclear energy,” Frechette said.  “That’s the power of transformative giving, of enlightened philanthropy.”

    The campaign has spurred creation of new facilities, satellite campuses, teaching resources, scholarships and research capacity, and also attracted talent, brainpower and investment to the region and province.  Among other key developments made possible or aided by this record philanthropy were:

    • The Centre for Business, Entrepreneurship, and Technology (CBET);
    • The Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology;
    • The School of Pharmacy and the Health Sciences Campus in downtown Kitchener;
    • The Stratford Institute for digital media;
    • The School of Architecture in Cambridge;
    • Expanded facilities for the School of Optometry and the school of Accounting and Finance;
    • The Schlegel UW Research Institute for Aging;
    • The David R. Cheriton School of Computer Science;

    “Waterloo has always been an unconventional university, responding to the needs of society and effectively partnering with government, business, and other researchers to pursue and find solutions to problems facing our world today,” says Waterloo President David Johnston. “I am so grateful that so many of our friends and university family share our vision, and have donated their resources and energy to make this campaign such a splendid success.”

    The campaign continues, focusing on the priorities of Waterloo’s sixth decade plan, entitles Pursuing Global Excellence: Seizing Opportunities for Canada, for each of the six faculties and four colleges.

    To learn more about Waterloo’s sixth decade priorities, please read the plan at www.secretariat.uwaterloo.ca/sixth_decade/index.html.  For information on campaign highlights, visit http://www.campaign.uwaterloo.ca/news.

    About the University of Waterloo:

    In just half a century, the University of Waterloo, located at the heart of Canada’s Technology Triangle, has become one of Canada’s leading comprehensive universities with 28,000 full and part-time students in undergraduate and graduate programs.  In the next decade, the university is committed to building a better future for Canada and the world by championing innovation and collaboration to create solutions relevant to the needs of today and tomorrow.  Waterloo, as home to the world’s largest post secondary co-operative education program, embraces its connections to the world and encourages enterprising partnerships in learning, research and discovery.

    For further information:

    Linda Kieswetter
    Associate Vice-President
    Principal Gifts and Campaigns
    519.888.4567 ext. 32961

    Michael Strickland
    Waterloo Media Relations
    519.888.4777

    Comments (0)

  2. Tech Transfer is Dead! Long Live Industry Engagement!

    June 16, 2009 by AURP Canada

    by Marcel D. Mongeon

    Recent funding cuts for technology transfer are providing an opportunity for research institutions to focus on a more important objective.  Technology transfer came to Canada from the United States after the Bayh-Dole act was passed in 1980 allowing institutions to own any resulting inventions.  Previously, research results made with US federal funding were public domain and free for anyone to use.

    There was an inherent contradiction in putting research results into the public domain.  Because there could be no exclusivity, business was reluctant to invest in clinical trials or market development.  Bayh-Dole changed this paradigm, encouraging development investments in legally protected research results.

    The Association of University Technology Manager (AUTM) began tracking various metrics, including the number of patents applied for and licensed, the income arising and the number of start up companies formed.  This is what technology transfer became – seeking patents and finding customers for them by way of licences or the creation of companies.

    In Canada, rather than adopting the term ‘technology transfer’, it is much more common to find ‘commericalization’ or its French translation ‘valorization’.  A federal expert panel on the commercialization of university research reported in Public Investments in University Research: Reaping the Benefits (1999).  A more recent expert panel on commercialization was released in 2006 in People and Excellence: The Heart of Successful Commercialization. 

    In Canada, ‘commericalization’ has become synonymous with technology transfer.  The tri-council Intellectual Property Management (IPM) program and the corresponding provincial and regional programs supported the hiring and training of those who could learn the intricacies of patents, licensing and spin-off company formation.  The establishment of regional networks and their collective activities through ACCT Canada have led to a well-defined profession of technology transfer professionals.

    But there is fly in the ointment.

    Despite a long history of working with businesses in collaborative research projects, the research contract function in Canadian research institutions was being marginalized at the same time the technology transfer function was growing.  Many universities organized their research support offices by separating responsibility for technology transfer from research agreements.

    Although there may be various local conditions that militate in favor of such changes, the skills involved in the negotiation of research collaboration agreements with industry are similar to those required for patenting, licensing and spin-off company formation.  By splitting the functions between multiple offices, institutions force an inefficient allocation of resources.

    Paradoxically, the perceptions of Canadian business in dealing with universities, colleges and research hospitals has deteriorated over the same time that technology transfer has been growing.  The 2006 expert panel report suggested that business needs to increase its collaborations at the beginning of the research process rather than at the end point.  In other words: we need more research collaboration agreement and fewer patent licences.

    A recent international study notes that patenting / licencing / company formation paradigm (i.e. technology transfer) may be getting in the way of successful university-industry interactions.  This should not be a surprise to anyone.  After all, a focus on patenting and licensing puts institutions and companies in adversarial rodes which they would be lessened if they were working a collaborative research problem.

    Institutions are now at a threshold forced by re-allocations in tri-council funding.  The IPM program is finished and nothing is replacing it.  Provincial and regional programs are also ending.  Many skilled people will be out of work as the funding for their technology transfer salaries ends.

    Research institutions do not need to lose this valuable resource.  The answer is found in just a minor shift in approach. It has been pioneered in Australia and is known as ‘industry engagement’.

    The reality in Canada is that industry has never been approached by institutions in a coordinated fashion.  Different people from fundraising, student internship, technology transfer and research promotion offices – not to mention individual researchers – fall over each other in approaching business prospects. Institutions spend huge sums in general research advertising without actually inviting businesses to partner with them and giving them a clear path to do so.

    Research mangers at these institutions can make things easier for business by providing one point of contact for all research purposes.  Technology transfer, research communication and research contracts can be merged and coordinated; many do this under the title ‘industrial liason’. 

    After a physical reorganization, institutions could then review the metrics that they track.  AUCC leads the way be reporting in Momentumon the ‘Value of industrial research contracts’.  Coincidentally, of the six metrics used, this is the one that has grown the most.  Other metrics such as ‘Number of researchers involvedin industrial researchcontracts’ and ‘Number of students with industrial research experiecne’ would also demonstrate a commitment to the concept of industry engagement.

    The final piece of the puzzle is to solve the perennial ‘battle of the forms’ in negotiating contracts.  Rather than every institution having its own favored clauses and terms, a process similar to the Lambert Agreements in the UK could result in standard template agreements that business and research institutions could use with little additional negotiation required.  Either Industry Canada or the research councils are best placed to catalyze and fund such a process.  One hopes the benefits will be as obvious to them as they are to everyone else.

    The death of technology transfer in Canada could be the beginning of a new era of industry engagement.  A lot will depend on how research institutions respond to the challenges.

    Marcel Mongeon is an intellectual property coach assisting institutions and companies with strategies to profit from their intangible assets.  He is an experienced international speaker and seminar leader in business strategy, intellectual property anagement and negotiations.

    Originally published in RE$EARCH MONEY, May 19, 2009.

    Comments (0)

  3. The Innovation Imperative

    by AURP Canada

    Acting today for tomorrow’s prosperity

    by Ian Thomas

    Having had over 20 years’ experience in science and technology/innovation administration, and with retirement beckoning, I have had some time of late to reflect on how far Canada has travelled in these past two decades, utilizing the “innovation engine” to be come a more globally competitive player.  Regrettably, at the national level, we have not travelled far, and this was borne out last year, when the Conference Board of Canada graded us with a ‘D’ in innovation.  Even if, at the regional/provincial level, there have been many advances and successes, the sum of these parts does not make an encouraging whole.

    Patents a plenty and evidence of citations
    Does not make Canada one of the world’s leading nations
    Traditional performance measure need review
    Else we will continue to be assessed, perhaps as low as a “Q”

    Back in 1991, I organized an international event in Victoria, BC, bringing together members of S&T advisory councils from across Canada, the US, the UK and Australia.  The agenda included such topics as: Building a Science Culture; Accessing Capital; Technology Commercialization – policies, tools, and practices; Partnerships and Collaboration; and Science Awareness.  What do the agendas look like for similar meetings and gatherings in 2009? Exactly the same! What have accomplished in the last two decades? Seemingly not much, although many of the players can cite advancements, but perhaps not as profound (and innovative!) as delegates to that 1991 event had hoped.

    Notwithstanding the current economic downturn, the key to this country’s future prosperity and economic growth is a value-added, diversified economy based on knowledge and research.  Firms, industries, regions and countries thrive (or languish) on how they use knowledge.  Innovation drives economies and it is innovation that involves sustained, and diversified development, adaptation and adoption of new technologies, products, markets and organizations.

    Did the January federal Budget acknowledge this? As important and timely as it is to invest in our infrastructure, how many times were the words “knowledge”, “innovation”, “technology” found in budget papers? They were significant in their absence.

    Canada’s future success, using innovation to stimulate prosperity, is dependent on:

    • Fostering economic diversification to offset global shifts in world prices and resources supplies;
    • Recognizing that the post-secondary education and innovation systems are challenged to respond to the short-term needs of the labour market while stimulating long term economic stability through research, innovation and commercialization; and
    • Stimulating creative ideas, as well as, maximizing research investments, by managing those investments more effectively and focusing on strategic niches where Canada is, or could be, a global leader.

    The need to recognize the innovation imperative is critical.  It applies not just to companies, but also to government agencies, universities and colleges, and local communities.  Breakthroughs on issues that really matter – safety and security, health care, quality of life and edcation (at all levels) – depend on collaboration, networking of capabilities and ideas across public, private, industry and disciplinary boundaries.

    For Canada to be globally competitive it must adopt and effective and efficient innovation agenda that will sustain and enhance our long-term prosperity and quality of life.  At the same time, S&T and innovation strategies, policies and collaboration between the key players and stakeholders must be coordinated and aligned and, in all cases, practiced under the umbrella and rubric of world class excellence.

    Public sector procurement must be enhanced
    As we seek to ensure the innovation agenda is advanced
    Governments must do more to support collaboration
    Failure to do so does not help technology commercialization

    Canada’s small- and  medium-sized enterprises must be able to compete successfully in world markets, provide skilled employment for all Canadians and strengthen the Canadian economy and quality of life.

    Success will also be reflected in our national ability to attract and retain highly qualified people and companies, who, with the ability and environment that encourages innovation, are able to turn innovation into commerical success.

    By building on strengths in our areas of priority and comparative advantage – energy, life sciences, nanotechnology and information and communications technologies, amongst others – Canada will be setting its own agenda and adding value to the economy.  The accordant technology solutions to the challenges within these sectors will enable Canada to keep pace with our global competitors.

    Research-intensive companies create value and drive value-added growth. The Canadian business environment and landscape is dominated by small companies, so an evironment that enables these companies to grow is critical.

    Canada needs to develop and foster a globally competitive innovation system through a high degree of strategic coherence among all partners involved in the innovation agenda including the provincal government agencies, federal government, research institutions, technology commericalizations and industry.

    The “war for talent” involves attraction and retention
    It will be helped by partnerships, that being the convention
    The private sector needs to become more engaged
    If Canada is to win this war that is being waged

    Canadians are well-positioned to be proactive about the future and take steps to create value-added growth.  If we canensure that all stakeholders are committed to takeing steps that will encourage economic diversification fo the economy, with reserach-intensive companies an integral part offering value-added goods and services, there is a viable and competitive future for Canada.

    Ian Thomas is the retiring Director of Innovation Policy in Alberta’s Department of Advanced Education and Technology.

    Originally published in RE$EARCH MONEY, April 30, 2009.

    Comments (0)

  4. Nobel Laureate Headlines AURP Annual Conference

    June 11, 2009 by AURP Canada

    June 11, 2009 – AURP is honored to welcome Nobel Laureate Dr. John Byrne as keynote speaker for the AURP Annual Conference, to be held October 21 – 23 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

    Br. Byrne is the Director of the Centre for Energy and Environmental Policy (CEEP) at the University of Delaware and recipient of the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize, which he shares with former Vice President Al Gore for promoting the understanding of climate change issues.  Byrne has been a contributing author to the United Nations sponsored Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change since 1992.

    Comments (0)

  5. Victoria Tech Leader Appointed Head of UVic Properties

    June 10, 2009 by AURP Canada

    For Immediate Release
    June 10, 2009

    Victoria, British Columbia – Dale Gann is the new president of UVic Properties Investments Inc., the organization which manages the Vancouver Island Technology Park (VITP) in Saanich and the Marine Technology Centre (MTC) in North Saanich.

    “Dale Gann has had a pivotal role at VITP since the university acquired the property,” says Gayle Gorrill, director of UVic Properties and UVic’s vice-president of finance and operations.  “The Board is extremely pleased that in his new role as president, Dale’s expertise and passion for the parks will continue to provide benefits to UVic and the broader community.”

    UVic’s technology parks facilitate the growth of technology on Vancouver Island by providing physical infrastructure that links provincial, national and international resources with emerging or growing technology companies.  Many of the tenants at VITP employ UVic graduates and co-op students. VITP has the greatest concentration of high-tech companies and workers on Vancouver Island. The two parks are home to a total of 41 tenants and employ more than 1,350 knowledgeable workers.

    “It is extremely rewarding to be involved with a project that not only creates significant economic benefits for our community,  but also provides an atmosphere that melds academia, government, businesses in a manner that can transform an idea into a commercial success,” says Gann.

    “Dale has long been recognized as a leader in the British Columbia technology community and was instrumental in helping establish a “critical mass” of technology based companies in Greater Victoria,” says Art Aylesworth, board chair of the Victoria Advanced Technology Council (VIATeC).  “His efforts provincially and nationally have helped stress the importance of technology parks and the pivotal role they play in advancing our nation’s science and technology strategy.”

    For further information contact:
    Av Hundle
    Manager, Business Development & Marketing
    Vancouver Island Technology Park & Marine Technology Centre
    250.812.6446
    ahundle@vitp.ca

    About UVic’s Technology Parks
    The Vancouver Island Technology Park (VITP) & the Marine Technology Centre (MTC), a University of Victoria Enterprise, facilitates the growth of technology on Vancouver Island by providing physical infrastructure linking local, provincial, national and international resources with emerging and growing tech companies.  VITP & MTC are highly acclaimed centres of hi-tech excellence for world class science and innovation.  Today, the two parks are home to 41 tenants and employ more than 1,350 workers who contribute in excess of $280M annually to the economy of British Columbia.

    Comments (0)

  6. AURP Call for Presentations

    by AURP Canada

    June 10, 2009 – The Association of University Research Parks invites you to share your knowledge, expertise and experience with your colleagues and other professionals at our 2009 Annual Meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.  University Research Parks must be connected to compete in the 21st century’s global economy.

    Are your university, research park, government, and industry partners liked to global networks in the right ways to maximize exposure and transfer of knowledge?  Are you maximizing results?  Our conference in Vancouver will be the forum in which to examine best practices in this area and find strategies to increase ties between universities, research parks, and industry partners worldwide.  Interesting approaches and creative solutions to the challenges surrounding this topic are sought for presentations.

    Proposals for suggested concurrent sessions should be no more than one page in length.  A proposed session should address one or more of the conference tracks, which are: 1) Sustainability; 2) Government Funding; 3) Industry.

    Possible topics include:

    What is the tipping point for the mix of academic use and private research activity in a research park?

    How do our research parks assist our own national Science & Technology strategies?

    In a globally-networked world, how do our research parks collaborate?

    Each Proposal should include the following:

    1. A full description of the proposed session, including how the information  to be shared will benefit the attendees and address the track subject.
    2. A 50 – 75 word description for possible future marketing materials.
    3. Contact information, biography in narrative format, and high resolution photo of each proposed presenter.

    The proposals are due no later than Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 65:00 p.m. PDT.  They should be sent in electronic format by email to AURP Event Manager Victoria Palmer, at vickiepalmer@aurp.net.  Please contact Victoria with any questions.  Accepted proposals will be announced no later than August 15, 2009.

    Comments (0)

  7. Keeping current at TMC

    June 5, 2009 by AURP Canada

    Research and development should be fun.  That’s the approach taken by Mike Hogan, co-founder of Technology Management Corporation (TMC) and inventor of the TSC – Telescope Super Controller.  The TSC allows users to have full control of all their telescope functions without having to stand outside beside the telescope, battling mosquitoes in the summer or cold in the winter.

    While Hogan admits the Telescope Super Controller is a long way from TMC’s core business of IT support, project management and business consulting, he says it was a good way to spend his research time.  “This particular project helped me to get a better handle on microprocessor programming and robotics technology for remote control devices.” Hogan says its his way of keeping up to date on changes in the industry and helps set his company apart.  “It’s about picking an application that you’re interested in so you can spend a lot of time working on it without actually feeling like work.”

    The TSC was three years and eight prototypes in the making with Hogan doing most of the work in his basement shop.  “Tinkering with low level electronics is kind of old school in the IT industry,” he chuckles, “but there are some technicians that express an interest and look forward to implementing our very own engineered products. It helps keep us involved with the high tech side of the industry.”

    This isn’t the first time Hogan has devleoped new products.  He says it’s not unusual for customers to ask for specialty hardware, and he’s pretty proud of the fact that they can design and build “just about anything.”

    Until they figure out how much demand there is for the TSC they will be custom making each unit.  The prototypes for retail sale should be hitting the market soon.  For more information go to http://remhouse.com/TSCPage.htm.

    TMC’s offices are located in the Terrace in Regina and in the Galleria in Saskatoon.

    Comments (0)

  8. Award of Innovation winners

    by AURP Canada

    The old saying “one person’s garbage is another person’s treasure” holds true for this year’s winners of the Award of Innovation in Regina.  Denise Stilling with the University of Regina, Faculty of Engineering, has developed a process to use wheat and flax straw to make single use dinnerware.  The biodegradable product was developed in conjunction with Urban Forest Recyclers (UFR) of Swift Current, which was a joint recipient of the prize.

    Prototypes for beverage lids and beverage sleeves have been completed and commercial scaling is in progress.  Some of the potential markets include fast food outlets, institutional food services and resort camps.  The environmentally friendly products not only reduce the use of plastic and Styrofoam, it also provides a secondary revenue stream for farmers while ridding Saskatchewan of its abundant flax straw which is often disposed of by burning.

    In Saskatoon, the Award of Innovation was presented to two leading University of Saskatchewan researchers – vaccine developer Andrew Potter and biofuels inventor Martin Reaney.

    Potter, executive director of the U of S Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization, was recognized for his work on a novel vaccine for E. coli which has significantly reduced the level of the disease in cattle.  The research, carried out in collaboration with a University of British Columbia scientist, represents an entirely unique approach to food safety.

    Their approach is to immunize cattle, which are carriers of E. coli 0157 bacterium but do not get sick.  The vaccine works by eliciting an immune response, prevent attachment of the bacterium to the intestine and thus reducing the ability of the bacterium to multiply.  This significantly reduces shedding of E. coli by cattle, decreasing the risk of food and water contamination, which in turn reduces risk of human infection and associated health consequences.

    Martin Reaney, Saskatchewan Agriculture Chair of Lipid Quality and Utilization in the College of Agriculture and Bioresources, has developed a series of value-adding processes for biodiesel production which reduces production costs and incerases biodiesel performance.

    Reaney’s approach produces biodiesel, de-salted glycerol and lithium grease from oilseeds such as frost-damaged canola that are not suitable for edible oil production.  The technology promises increased profitability by allowing producers to make bio diesel while at the same time diversifying their operations with two other high-value products.  The patent-pending technology has attracted interest from a number of organizations within the biodiesel industry.

    The Award of Innovation is sponsored by Innovation Place and the Industry Liaison Offices at University of Regina and the University of Saskatchewan. It honours university researchers who have developed new and commercially viable technology. Congratulations to the winners of this year’s Award of Innovation.

    Comments (0)

  9. Saskatchewan Advanced Technology Association (SATA)

    by AURP Canada

    The Saskatchewan Advanced Technology Association (SATA) was formed in 2000 to represent the province’s advanced technology industry.  The Association is focused on bringing together Saskatchewan based technology companies and organizations to further develop and grow the industry in the province.  During the past year SATA has been concentrating on increasing its profile within industry and government and continuing to build on our past successes.

    Did you know all tenants of Innovation Place in Regina, Saskatoon and Prince Albert receive as SATA membership as a value added benefit? SATA has been working with Innovation Place to put on a number of Lunch & Learn sessions in Saskatoon and Regina featuring topics of interest to technology companies.  These Lunch & Learn sessions will be continuing throughout the year, so if you have an idea for a topic which would be of interest to the advanced technology community, send an email to info@sata.ca.

    SATA has recently launched a new website which will be a valuable resource to its membership.  The state-of-the-art and very user friendly site was designed by 2Web Design, a leading interactive agency based at Innovation Place in Saskatoon.

    The site features a searchable members’ directory containing company and product descriptions, company logo and contact information.  This directory will be promoted as the definitive source for people and companies looking to connect with the advanced technology industry in Saskatchewan.  As a SATA member you will have a listing on the directory, so check it out and make sure that your listing reflects your company’s place in the industry.  The site also includes an events calendar, online event registration and payment options and contains a wealth of information about Saskatchewan’s advanced technology sector.

    The provincial government has demonstrated a strong commitment to growing all industry sectors and has indicated that industry associations have an important role to play.  Enterprise Saskatchewan has established 18 industry-specific sector teams tasked with identifying and removing barriers to the development and growth of their industry sector.  SATA is a member of the IT & Electronics sector team and its participation has provided a valuable opportunity to advocate for and continually highlight the scope and importance of the advanced technology sector.  Fee free to contact their office and put forward any suggestions you may have for developing the technology industry in our province.

    SATA is also implementing a new and exciting State of the Industry Program.  This Program will result in the creation of a current and inclusive inventory of Saskatchewan’s advanced technology companies, the scope of their business activities and their product and service capabilities.

    The State of the Industry Program will consist of three components:

    1. A web-based industry directory which will provide an inventory of the advanced technology industry in Saskatchewan and also serve as a valuable marketing tool.
    2. A graphical “dashboard” to organize and present statistics relating to the size, composition and scope of the advanced technology industry in Saskatchewan.
    3. A listening system to bring the concerns and issues of the advanced technology sector to the attention of the provincial government and other industry development stakeholders.

    As you can see SATA is working hard to effectively represent and provide services to its membership and they are looking forward to continuing to work with all of the companies at Innovation Place to grow Saskatchewan’s advanced technology industry.

    Comments (0)

  10. AURP Canada Releases Inaugural Issue of CanadaNOW Magazine

    June 2, 2009 by AURP Canada

    canadanow-imageFor Immediate Release
    June 1, 2009

    Victoria, BC – The Canadian Association of University Research Parks / Association Canadienne des Parcs des Recherches d’Universite (AURP Canada) is pleased to announce the release of their inaugural issue of CanadaNOW Magazine.  AURP Canada represents a membership of twenty-six university related research and technology parks across Canada.  This publication brings together the collaborative interests of the parks, government, business and academia spanning the breadth of the country.

    Canada has a strategy for its technological future. An important part of that plan, both provincially and federally, includes university research parks.  Canada’s parks play an integral role in helping government meets its economic objectives.

    The very fabric of research and technology parks reaches from coast to coast by providing the nation with focal points of technological innovation.  These parks represent more than just buildings; each park provides a playing field that melds the explorations of academia, the interests of government and the market savvy of business.  The parks provide a physical place for the value-added activity required to grow ideas into commercial entities and drive our economy forward.

    Every nation is searching for the tools and engines that can stimulate a knowledge-based economy.  To stay on top demands and environment that encourages, supports and retains creative thinkers while providing access to the business acumen necessary to convert ideas into tangible enterprises.

    “Since the incorporation of AURP Canada, the parks are working together like never before”, says Dale Gann, president of AURP Canada.  “Our parks contribute in a meaningful way to technology transfer, commercialization and the facilitation of collaborative partnerships, key priorities of our country and our Association.”

    Today, Canada’s twenty-six research and technology parks are already home to over 950 hi-tech companies and research centres.  AURP Canada stands ready to join with all levels of government in creating opportunities for policy-makers, industry and academic leaders to engage with each other in the common purpose of creating jobs and improving the quality of life through the stimulation of economic development.

    The first annual issue of Canada Now will introduce you to each of these parks, their targeted industries, key initiatives underway and the clients they serve.  The collective work of these parks and the communities they represent act as important engines in keeping the Canadian economy relevant and at the table of change.

    - 30 -

    About AURP Canada

    The Association of University Research Parks Canada (AURP Canada) is the first chapter of the Association of University , a North American non-profit organization that represents the 155 university research parks across the United States and Canada. AURP Canada was founded in June 2007 with a mandate to work with provincial and federal governments to support innovation within Canada.  The mission of AURP Canada is to act as the united voice of Canadian university research parks to build awareness in support of science and technology infrastructure enabling all stakeholders to achieve future growth and sustainability while nurturing the economic prosperity of these knowledge-based communities.  AURP Canada currently represents 26 Research and Technology Parks from Truro, NS to Victoria, BC.

    For Additional Information Contact:
    Dale C. Gann
    President, AURP Canada
    c/o Vancouver Island Technology Park
    2201 – 4464 Markham Street
    Victoria, BC  V8Z 7X8
    Phone: 250.483.2303
    Email: dgann@vitp.ca

    Comments (2)