Syner-Tech ... creating synergy among like-minded
technology innovators ... is slated for November 6-7 at the
Alberta Research Council's Millwoods facility located at 250 Karl
Clark Road (Edmonton).
The Alberta Association of Colleges and Technical Institutes and
Alberta Research Council are pleased to sponsor this event. It will
bring together representatives from across the province who are
interested in creating partnerships and forging new alliances that
will take education and research in our province to a new level.
The event stems from the ongoing work of a special task group of
the Association of Canadian Community Colleges. Established in
spring 2001, the task group has been investigating how to enhance
the role of colleges and institutes in innovation in Canada. The
task group identified four activities it would focus on:
- developing an inventory of the current situation with regard
to colleges and institutes related to innovation activities,
institutional capacity to support innovation activities, and
indentifying human resources that can contribute to this activity;
- developing an awareness strategy and support materials to
enhance industry's, government's and other organizations'
understanding of institutes' strengths, capabilities and
interests;
- establishing national funding mechanisms to enable colleges
and institutes to better contribute to innovation in Canada,
utlizing their experiences and strengths and encouraging existing
funding organizations to adapt their programs to allow colleges
and institutes access these programs; and
- developing a network and mentoring program for individuals and
institutions that are leaders in contributing innovation through
the application/commercialization of new knowledge in their
regions with other leaders who may want to become more significant
players.
A detailed two-day program, list of invited organizations and
registration form is included with this message. Space is limited to
2-3 representatives per organization. We encourage you to join us
for what we expect will prove to be an enlightening and lively
discussion of how we can forge ahead to advance the roles of
technical colleges and institutions in innovation in Alberta.
John McDougall, President and CEO, ARC & Doug
MacRae, Executive Director, AACTI
