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reports and analyses of the forces driving science and technology investment in Canada
editor: Mark Henderson How it looks to me.... by Mark Henderson FEATURE REPORTS | RESEARCH BRIEFS | PERSONALITIES How it looks to me.... by Mark Henderson, editor, RE$EARCH MONEY Any process which produces winners and losers is bound to elicit strong reactions on either side, and the competition for Phase III funding for the Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCE) is no exception. In the case of the Neuroscience Network (NSN), concern seems to be justified. At the heart of the controversy surrounding NSN's ejection from the NCE program are the discrepancies in opinion between the expert panel that examined its science and the selection committee which made the final decision on which Networks would be financed. In a brief public document, the selection committee criticized NSN's research program and the quality of some of its research; all in stark contrast to the findings and conclusions of the expert panel. Yet the findings of the latter remain private. Compounding the problem is the decision by the NCE directorate not to allow the scientific directors of the Networks to appear before the selection committee; a change from past policy. All this leaves many to wonder whether the process of selecting Networks for future funding needs to be revisited to ensure that decisions are properly explained in the public domain. The serious discrepancies between the two NSN reports only amplify those concerns. Given the importance of neuroscience research to Canada, government must respond promptly to ensure that its viability isn't threatened.
FEATURE REPORTS...
RESEARCH BRIEFS
Ericsson's growth spawns third Montreal-area R&D facility Ericsson Research Canada has opened its third Montreal-area facility to accommodate continuing rapid growth at the branch. With more than 1,000 employees, office space now totalling 33,000-sq-m and FY96 R&D outlays of $137.6 million, the division holds three world product mandates. The new 9,000-sq-m facility will house 300 employees who will conduct development and first-level testing on systems components....
DalTech to offer Masters of Engineering for internetworking Dalhousie University Polytechique (DalTech) is claiming a world's first with the launch of a program offering a Masters of Engineering in internetworking. The interdisciplinary program merges electrical and computer engineering, computer science, engineering mathematics and industrial engineering, and will be offered in two 10-weeks courses over a 12-month period. The program is sponsored by the Telecom Applications Research Alliance, MT&T and Cisco Systems, Inc. With 19 students, it is expected to grow to 32 in 1998 and eventually expand into distance delivery. FMI Dr Ivan Fair, voice: (902)420-7721; email: internet.eng@dal.ca....
Image Process Systems raises more cash, wins export award Red hot Image Processing Systems Inc has raised an additional $2 million, subsequent to the $13.5 million raised last month through its initial public offering (R$, September 24/97). The cash was generated when the Scarborough ON-based firm's underwriters exercised their option to purchase additional common shares to cover over-allotments. Its status as one of Canada's 10 fastest growing firms was acknowledged by the federal government with an Export Award for Excellence. Of its $10.1 million in FY97 sales, 99% was for export....
Wireless industry funds research centre for health effects of RF A new research centre for the study of RF effects on human health and hospital equipment has been established with $2 million from several of Canada's wireless telecommunications companies. The centre will be housed within the Canadian Institute for Telecommunications Research -- a Network of Centres of Excellence -- and operate at arm's length from the industry. Growing evidence that wireless devices can cause medical equipment to malfunction has prompted the industry to seek solutions, so that hospital safe zones for cellular phones and dispatch radios can be established. A series of workshops for the medical community is being held across Canada to identify specific problems associated with RF exposure. They are being conducted by the Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association, an industry lobby group....
TPC invests $12 million in aerospace and trucking firms Technology Partnerships Canada (TPC) has invested a further $12 million in two firms in the automotive and aerospace sectors. Kelowna BC-based Western Star Trucks Inc will receive $8.9 million to develop a dual-use (civilian-military) four-wheel drive utility vehicle. The research project involves extensive use of computer-aided (CAD) design, development pre-testing of the 2.5 tonne M1500, which will come with more than 2,000 options allowing the truck to be tailored according to customer requirements. In addition to military markets, Western Star is aiming the vehicle at the resources industries. TPC has also invested $3.1 million in Walbar Canada, Mississauga, to design, develop and install technologies for the production of high-pressure nozzle segment assemblies for jet engines. Walbar, a division of Coltec Aerospace Canada Ltd, specializes in niche sub-assembly components for the aerospace sector, such as precision machined blades, vanes and nozzle segments....
Omega receives $2M from CAVI as part of $9M private placement Capital Alliance Ventures Inc has invested $2 million in Class A convertible shares of Omega Digital Data Inc, a designer and manufacturer of wireless data communications devices and systems. The investment is part of a $9-million private placement in Concord ON-based Omega, an R&D intensive firm specializing hand-held wireless debit/credit card approval terminals. The firm is targeting the various niches within the retail sector, notably restaurants, full service gas stations, tow truck operators and take-out food services....
AHFMR creates $15M fund for jointly funded research projects A new, $15-million, five-year research fund has been established by the Alberta Heritage Medical Research Foundation (AHFMR). Dubbed the Opportunity Fund, it is offering up to $3 million annually over five years to health research projects submitted by universities, research institutions, and public health authorities. To qualify, project proposals must also have support from either the Canada Foundation for Innovation, the Canada Health Services Research Foundation or the Alberta Intellectual Infrastructure Partnership Program. Projects can range from basic laboratory investigations to clinical and health services studies. FMI: Kathleen Turner (403) 423-5727....
iStar to transfer Internet software technology to Bridgewater iStar internet inc has signed a deal to transfer its infrastructure software components and related employees to Bridgewater Systems Corp -- a Newbridge Networks Corp affiliate -- for commercialization. The agreement involves the transfer of mail, web and other Internet-based services, as well as administrative software. In return, Ottawa-based iStar will receive access to early versions of Bridgewater products and favourable terms on future software products....
Newbridge pledges equipment, becomes Internet 2 member Newbridge Networks Corp has pledged $1 million and become a corporate partner to Internet2, a US consortium to establish new broadband-based networking capabilities for higher education and research. Comprised of more than 100 universities, government agencies and industry members. The Newbridge pledge is in the form of technology and networking equipment. It will be used to solve Internet protocol routing issues and create the infrastructure required for next generation applications such as on-line collaborative research and digital libraries. The Kanata ON-based firm had already increased its participation in the US research community through its recent agreement with MCI Communications Corp, which sees Newbridge supplying asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) equipment for the National Science Foundation's new broadband service....
CANARIE signs MOU with UCAID for joint cooperation A memorandum of understanding (MOU) has been signed between the university consortium engaged in the US Internet2 project and the Canadian Network for the Advancement of Science, Industry and Research (CANARIE). The agreement between CANARIE and the University Corporation for Advanced Internet Development (UCAID) will promote interconnection between member organizations and networks, encourage technology transfer and collaborate on policy and governance issues and provide reciprocal memberships. CANARIE funds and supports CA*net II, Canada's more fully developed next generation network....
PERSONALITIES
Jim Wilson has been appointed as Ontario's minister of Energy, Science & Technology (EST), a new ministry created as part of the Harris government's October 10/97 cabinet shuffle. Wilson was formerly minister of Health. The Cabinet changes have also prompted a change at the helm of the Ministry of Economic Development, Trade & Tourism (MEDTT), with the appointment of Al Palladini. Palladini was formerly the provincial Transportation minister. He replaces William Saunderson, who is no longer a member of the Ontario Cabinet....Dr Paul Davenport has assumed the chairman's position at the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC), a year after he was elected vice chairman and chairman elect. Davenport has been president of the Univ of Western Ontario since 1994. Previously, he was president of the Univ of Alberta and VP planning and computer services at McGill Univ. Davenport will help lead the AUCC's campaign to increase federal support for research, students and international education.... Jeannette Ho has been awarded the 1997 Martin Walmsley Fellowship for Technological Entrepreneurship, given annually by the Ontario Centres of Excellence (OCE). Ho worked on applications of an invention by Dr Paul Santerre -- flouroligomer surface modifying macromolecules for polyurethane elastomers (SMMs), which change the surface of plastics for safe biomedical uses. Ho holds an exclusive, global licence for the intellectual property and has formed a company -- JYCHO Surface Technolologies -- to exploit the technology in association with the Univ of Toronto's Innovations Foundation.... Dr Tom Calvert has received the Science Council of BC's 1997 Chairman's Award for Career Achievement. Calvert has long been associated with Simon Fraser Univ in a variety of teaching and administrative positions, including VP research and information systems He is currently co-leader of the TeleLearning Network of Centres of Excellence....
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