New Initiative Attracts Global Leaders in Research

OTTAWA, May 17, 2010 – Canada’s universities applaud today’s announcement that 19 world-leading international university researchers have chosen to pursue their research in Canada as a result of the new and prestigious Canada Excellence Research Chairs program.

“These renowned researchers are working at the frontiers of knowledge. Their work will strengthen Canada’s innovation capacity and benefit all Canadians,” says Michel Belley, chair of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC) and rector of Université du Québec à Chicoutimi.

Paul Davidson, president and CEO of AUCC, added that the new CERC program is “smart and strategic: smart because research is vital to Canada’s prosperity and we’re in a very competitive environment in terms of attracting and retaining world-class researchers. It’s strategic because it is focused on the four priority areas of Canada’s science and technology strategy.”

The benefits of the CERC program will reach far beyond the successful universities. “Researchers work in collaboration, and this contributes to a stronger research community across Canada,” noted Paul Davidson

Today’s announcement demonstrates that Canada is prepared to lead in the global research enterprise. “These global leaders can work anywhere in the world, and they’re choosing to work in Canada,” said Davidson.

The CERC program also builds on Canada’s investment in research infrastructure. Budget 2009 invested significantly in new labs and research facilities as part of the economic stimulus package.

The CERC program was announced in September 2008 as part of the federal government’s science and technology strategy aimed at improving Canada’s competitiveness. It provides each chair with up to $10 million over seven years. The research must be conducted in one of the four identified areas of research: environmental sciences, natural resources and energy, health sciences and communications and information technology.

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AUCC is the voice of Canada’s universities representing 95 Canadian public and private, not-for-profit universities and university-degree level colleges.

For more information:

Lyse Huot
Director, Government Relations and Communications
Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada