OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Nov. 19, 2014) - Industry Canada

The Honourable Ed Holder, Minister of State (Science and Technology), celebrated outstanding research and innovation achievements at the fourth annual Mitacs Awards Reception last night. The ceremony honoured top graduate and postgraduate students as well as industry partners participating in Mitacs programs.

In his address, the Minister of State highlighted Canada's approach to research and innovation, which focuses on developing talent, knowledge and industrial-academic partnerships. Growing a national research base is a pillar of Canada's science and technology strategy. The government considers it essential for attracting and retaining the next generation of researchers and innovators and providing the country with a competitive advantage in the global knowledge economy.

Minister of State Holder praised Mitacs for its Acclerate and Elevate programs, which engage graduate students and post-doctoral fellows in real-world research projects that can generate economic benefits, as well as its Globalink program, which supports international student exchanges. He also highlighted Canada's post-secondary strengths, notably its G7 leadership in university research spending intensity.

Quick facts

• Minister of State Holder presented two awards:
  • the Mitacs Industry Award for Exceptional Leadership to Trojan Technologies of London, Ontario. The award, presented for the first time, is given to a Mitacs industry partner that promotes innovation in Canada through its participation in and support for Mitacs programs, and
  • the Mitacs Professor Award for Exceptional Leadership to Alan Fung, Ryerson University. Also presented for the first time, this award recognizes an outstanding professor who is both an innovator and a leader.
• Mitacs, a leader in creating links between industry and talented graduate students and post-doctoral fellows, is helping to develop the pool of innovators and managers needed by Canadian companies. It administers three key programs:
  • Mitacs Accelerate is an innovative R&D internship program that connects graduate students and post-doctoral fellows with industry through collaborative R&D projects.
  • Mitacs Elevate is an R&D management training and industrial research program for post-doctoral fellows involving classroom and onsite learning.
  • Mitacs Globalink brings top international students to Canada and sends Canada's best students abroad, fostering international innovation networks.
• In 2013-14, the federal government provided $23.4 million to support Mitacs programs, which leveraged $18.5 million from industrial partners.

Quote

"Our government has made record investments in science, technology and innovation to create jobs, increase prosperity and improve the quality of life of Canadians. Mitacs is essential in linking talented researchers with Canadian businesses to drive R&D and innovation while providing valuable, hands-on training experiences for students and post-docs at Canadian universities."

- Ed Holder, Minister of State (Science and Technology)

Associated links

- Science.gc.ca

- Industry Canada Science and Technology

- Mitacs

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