News and commentary

Advertisement on the Knowledge Infrastructure Program published in the Globe and Mail.

Ottawa May 5, 2009 — The Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada welcomes the report on the health of science, technology and innovation in Canada released today by the Science, Technology and Innovation Council.

“The STIC report is an important benchmarking effort,” says Claire Morris, President and CEO of AUCC. “Canadian university leaders strongly endorse the council’s emphasis on the need for greater collaboration between universities, colleges, governments, business and non-profit organizations to advance the research and innovation successes of the nation.”

The Canada’s Science, Technology and Innovation System: State of the Nation 2008 provides a portrait of the status of science and innovation in Canada and concludes that Canada is a solid mid-level performer and must keep working to improve its global performance and reputation. The report identifies areas of vulnerability and notes while Canadian universities and researchers are conducting cutting-edge research they lack international visibility and recognition for their achievements. The report offers several suggestions for collective action including renewing efforts to attract and educate highly skilled people and pursuing strategic partnerships in science, technology and innovation to advance Canadian interests.

The report echoes the analysis in AUCC’s recent publication Momentum, the 2008 report on university research and knowledge mobilization, published in October 2008, which emphasized the importance of improving our ability to collaborate nationally and internationally.

“Given how important research and development and innovation are to Canada’s social and economic well-being, as well as its standing in the world, AUCC will continue to work with all sectors to ensure that we become a leading R&D nation,” says Ms. Morris.

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AUCC is the national voice for Canada’s universities. It represents 94 Canadian public and private not-for-profit universities and university-degree level colleges.

For further comment, please contact:

Leslie Cole
Assistant Director of Communications
Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada

Ottawa, April 30th, 2009 — The Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada welcomes the announcement of the first 166 recipients of the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships, prestigious doctoral scholarship valued at $50,000 each per year for up to three years.

“AUCC has long advocated for a program of this kind that can attract and retain top-tier doctoral students,” says Tom Traves, chair of AUCC and president of Dalhousie University. “Funding at this level will allow Canada to attract the world’s top graduate students while also supporting the most promising Canadian doctoral students.”

“University leaders across the country are extremely pleased to see the federal government investing in advanced learning and research through these doctoral scholarships,” says Claire Morris, president and CEO of AUCC. “These awards demonstrate Canada’s commitment to global research excellence. They will strengthen Canada’s reputation as a world-class research destination.”

Of the 166 awards, 129 scholarships will go to Canadian students pursuing doctoral studies while 37 will be given to international students pursuing doctoral studies at Canadian universities.

The Vanier scholarships are awarded across all disciplines and will be administered by the three federal granting agencies NSERC, SSHRC and CIHR. The program will award a total of 500 scholarships over the next three years.

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AUCC is the voice of Canada’s universities representing 94 Canadian public and private, not-for-profit universities and university-degree level colleges.

For more information, please contact:

Leslie Cole
Assistant Director of Communications
Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada

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Ottawa, April 24, 2009 — The Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada commends the federal government for its leadership in funding a significant new university research program, the Canada Excellence Research Chairs (CERC) program.

“The announcement of 40 finalists in a selection of 20 research chairs worth $10 million each is great news for Canada’s university research community,” says Tom Traves, President of Dalhousie University and Chair of AUCC. “Funding at this level will guarantee that Canada can attract eminent researchers to our universities and demonstrates the government’s strong commitment to supporting world class research programs.”

The CERC program was announced in September 2008 as part of the federal government’s science & technology strategy aimed at improving Canada’s competitiveness. Universities can apply for funding in four priority areas: environmental sciences, natural resources and energy, health sciences, and communications and information technology.

The awards will allow world leaders in research to recruit teams of high calibre researchers to work on projects that will advance knowledge and spark innovation across the country. The 20 final recipients of the CERC awards will be announced in February 2010.

AUCC is the voice of Canada’s universities representing 94 Canadian public and private, not-for-profit universities and university-degree level colleges.

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For more information please contact:

Leslie Cole
Assistant Director of Communications
Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada