Alberta Science and Research Authority : [newsletter]

6 Pages·1996·1.6 MB·English

by  Alberta Science and Research Authority

10/27/97 14:49 SCIENCE & RESEARCH AUTHORITY ^019 953 0508 NO. 524 P005/007
Alberta Science
AND Research Authority
• Science • Reseorch • The Future ol Alberta •
Spring 1997
ASRA
New Minister for S cience, Research and
Alberta SoENCE
AND Research AuTHDRmr
Information Technology
250 Karl Dark Rood
Edmonton, Alberta
T6H 5X2
Phone: (403)450^620
E>r. Lome Thylor, MLA for Cypress-Medidne Hat, was appointed on March 26,
Fox: (403)427^979
1997, to the Alberta Cabinet as Minister Responsible for Sdence, Research and In-
Internet: gordey^orLab.co
formation Technology* Reporting to him are: the Alberta Sdence and Research
Website: lrtip//www.{|ov.ab.(a/'-5fa/
Authority (ASRA) and the Albcaia Research Council (ARC). He was also ap-
pointed to s erve on the Treasury Board and two Standing Policy Committees:
Jobs and Economy, and Agriculture and Rural Development
Announcements
Dr. Taylor is no stranger to sdence and research, having served as the Chairman
of the Board of the ARC, as a V ice-Chair of the ASRA Board of Management, and
□ On March 19, Mr. Eric
as a m ember of the Standing Policy Committee on Natural Resources and Sus-
NeweU, Chairman, Presi-
dent & C EO of Syncrude, tainable Development. Prior to being elected to munidpal and then provindal
was awarded the Car\a- posts. Dr. Taylor worked as a r esearcher and university professor in educational
dian Business Leader
psychology and took part in his family's cattle and grain marketing business. Dr.
Award recognizing him Taylor was a f ounding director of the Community Christian Counseling Center, a
as a b risinessman of
founding director and chair of the board of World Relief Canada, and served four
uncommon vision, sound
terms as chair of the Medicine Hat Public School District School Board. He is
common sense aivl a
commitment to his married and has four daughters.
community.
In assuming his new position. Dr. Taylor paid tribute to the work done by the
□ It is estimated approxi- previous minister, Mrs. Dianne Mirosh, former MLA for Calgary-Glenmore and
mately 3000 students and
Alberta's first Minister Responsible for Sdence and Research. Mrs. Miiosh re-
adults competed in the
tired from p olitical service following her decision not to seek re-election. She
Science Olympics held on
was appointed Minister in 1994 following the release of the Alberta government
March 1 t hroughout the
province. Regional So- document "Seizing Opportunity," which noted the economic importance of re-
ence Fairs are held during search and technology. Mrs. Mirosh worked on gaining support for sdence and
March and April each research from her colleagues, private industry, and the public.
yeat National Sdence
and Technology Week
win be held this year
frran October 17 to 26.
ASRA was estobllsbd b)f t he A Bierta govenmtefi} to p rovkte CDURsd to
regarding sdence and research. A I d^mher Soatd oi M onogeineat cepoits to f lie M inster
Continued on page 2 RespocBiUeibr Sdence, Research ond Infannoliaflledinalogy.
■'i
•' >■
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10/27/97 14:49 SCIENCE & RESEARCH AUTHURITY ^ 819 953 8508 NO. 524 P00b/O07
Ministry Business Plan for Team Alberto" Phormaceuticol
1997-2000 Visit to M ontreal and Toronto
The Science and Research Business Plan
On Jasniblue faor rS yci e 2n0c,e A labnedr t aR'ess e aMricnhi,s t eDri a Rnensep on-
for 1997-2000 was presented on April 21.
The Plan may be viewed on the ASRA Mirosh, lead a m ission of representatives
from the Universities of Alberta and
web site; http:// www.gov.ab.ca/ -'Sra.
Calgary to meet with 11 PMAC (Pharma-
□ Dr, Charles Reichert has ceutical Manufacturers Assodatiem of
left the staff of ASRA to Canada) companies. The intent of the
assume the positicm of Di- Barriers to T echnology mission was to familiarize the COTtipanies
rtjctor of Infoport Calgary with Alberta's quality research, expertise
Research and Envelop- Commercioiizotion and supportive environment in order to
ment Authority. DnTed encourage the companies to increase fiteir
Heidrkik, v^ho was sec^ level of investment in Alberta's research
onded fzc«n ARC to as- Responding, in p art, to a r ecommendaticm undertakings. Early indiksiticms are that
sume most of Dn the companies are more aware and willing
of the ASRA-sponsored report, "Barriers
Reichert^s lespoi^sibilities, to Technology Commercialization in to investigate Alberta as a p lace to do
has accepted a p osition Alberta," Alberta Treasury has initiated a research.
with the University of review of tax measures that might increase
British Columbia. investment in small and medium sized re-
search and technology companies in Success Stories
□ A U niversity /Industry Alberta. A T ask Force composed of ASRA,
Research Network in Economic Development & T ourism, and
Functional Foods &: Agriculture, and lead by Alberta Treasury, The second volume of "Selected Alberta
Nutraceulicals based at will develop recommendations to govern- Science and Research Success Stories: Vol-
the U o f Ais being estab- ment on p ossible changes to the Alberta ume n" was released in J anuary. This col-
lished to s timulate the tax policy. lection of4 0 stories documents a v ariety of
food processing industry. successful research ventures undertaken
Functional foods and in the province. As a c ollection, they
nutraceuticals are foods
clearly indicate the sodo-cconomk value
or products produced Technology Cluster Study of science and research to Alberta. A t hird
frcmt foods that enhance volume is now being compiled.
health and reduce the risk
of chronic disease. The Western Technologies Ousters Study Biotechnology
undertaken by the four western provinces/
□ The Alberta Cancer Board the North West Territories, Western Diver-
and Rhone-Poulenc Roxex sirication and Industry Canada, has now
have created a $ 15 M been completed and is available. The A d atabase of biotechnology research in
worldwide collaboration prefect assessed the western Canadian Alberta universities, government laborato-
to conduct breast cancer economy and the role of enabling tech- ries and companies, dcpertise axul contacts
research. The Cross Can- nologies and i dentified those technology is currently being established by ASRA in
cer Institute will become dusters that had the best growth potential conjunction with Alberta Economic Devel-
the administration center in western Canada relative to world
opment and Tourism and the biotechnol-
for the 18-countiy study. benchmarks. Four dusters were found to ogy industry. The database is expected to
have tt\e best potential: A^iotech, health be operational by mid-June. In addition,
□ The U o f A r eceived 1.6 M biotech, iidotech, and advanced materials. meetings to foster the development of an
ton Nova and N5ERC to
In Alberta agri-food was found to have the Alberta Biotechnology Industry Associa-
establish 2 i ndustrial
highest growth potential since 90% of tion are currently being organized in Ed-
research chairs. monton and Calgary, Contact B. Nyland
Canada's agriculture comes from Alberta
and Saskatchewan.
at (403) 45(M622.
Continued on page 3
Pogi2
Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2017 with funding from
University of Alberta Libraries
https://archive.org/details/albertasciencere1997albe
10/27/97 14:50 SCIENCE a RESEARCH AUTHORITY 4 819 953 8508 NO. 524 P007/007
Inventory of S cience Promotion
ASRA-talk
Organizations Listserv
ASRA contracted DMH Maiugement
On February 21 a " Roundtable" of some of
Unlimited Inc. to conduct a s urvey of the Alberta organizations involved in pro-
Alberta organizations that contribute in moting science was held in Edmonton. In
some marmer to increasing the awareness of response to a r ecommendation from the
discussions ASRA has initiated a l istserv
□ The Whitaker Foundation the importance and value of science zuid rc-
for the science promotion community in
seaich to our society. Approximately 110 or-
awarded $1.3 M o ver three
ganizations responded with infoimation Alberta.
years to biomedical engi- about their activities. The variety of activi-
neers at U o f C a nd U o f A
ties ranged horn providing speakers to the Anycme interested in j oizung can request
to develop a j oint program
infbrmaticm through e-maiL
using a h igh speed video esvdetnotolss. tToh e p a rstuircviepya t iins g n o iwn sbpeeicnigal c "o'mspdielrKe»d"
link. gordey®arc.ab,ca.
into an inventory for public dissemination-
□ A $ 25 M v enture capital
fund. Western Technology
Other News
Seed Investment Fund, has
recommend and develop standards and
been created by the Bank of
Montreal and the Business support the technical design and imple-
mentation work.
Ctevelopment Bank of
Canada to commercialize The Alberta Research Council recently cel-
ebrated the o fficial opening of its animal The Canadian Government has provided
research projects at univer-
sities in w estern Canada- hfaecailltihty . biologicals and veterinary vaccines $800 million over five years for the cre-
ation of t he Canada Foundation for Irmo-
vation to assist in the strengthening of
Alberta Health is working with the Re- Canada's research infrastructure. The
Reports Availoble
gional Health Authorities, provincial Foundatitm will be an independent orga-
(in print or on the boards, physicians and other health pro- nization, run at arm's length from govern-
ASRA website) viders and administrators to determine ment by a b oard of directors, primarily
the best approach to implementing sys- from the research and business commu-
□ Commercialization of tem-wide information technology solu- nity. Itw ill complement the work of the
Biotechnology in Alberta tions. AS enior Reference Committee, Granting Councils. The Alberta Govern-
□ ASRA R&D Priority Setting chaired by Dr. Tom Noseworthy of tiie ment, throng Advanced Education and
Consultation University of Alberta, will focus on busi- Career Development, has established the
□ Barriers to Technology ness planning, overall network design and Intellectual Infiastructure Partnership Pro-
Commercialization implementation and change management. gram of $ 15 minion per year as an assod-
D Selected Success Stories A T eduucal Coordinating Group will ated initiative.
Also on ASRA website:
Please let u s k now of y our (omments regarding this n ewsletter:
□ More information
about ASRA
□ Alberta's Research Comments
and Development
Infrastructure
□ Why do research in Alberta?
□ Links to other S&R sites
Name/org. (optional)
httpy/wvw.gov.ab.co/~sra/
Fax to C. Gordey: (403) 427-0979
Pay 3 Please pass this newsletter on to other people who nrny be interested in its ajnients.
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