Research Gets Budget Backing
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westernnews.ca PM 41195534 April 5, 2012 / Vol. 48 No. 13 Research gets budget backing BY ADELA TALBOT IN WHAT REMAINS a tough global economy, Canada’s federal government is cutting costs without cutting corners to get ahead. Finance Minister Jim Flaherty announced last Thursday the 2012 federal budget would see, among other deep cuts, reductions to old age security and the elimination of the penny complemented by significant investments in research and inno- vation initiatives at Canada’s universities. Seen as a progressive indication of the government’s under- standing and support of intensive research and post-secondary ties with industry, the announcement left universities across the country celebrating. “The government has demonstrated its foresight in continu- ing to invest in education and research during these financially challenging times. These investments will enhance Canada’s competitive position in the world,” said Western President Amit Chakma, who serves as chair of the federal government’s Advi- sory Panel on Canada’s International Education Strategy. “Western is equally pleased with the government’s strong commitment to developing and implementing an international education strategy that reinforces Canada as a country of choice to study and conduct world-class research,” he added. As part of the Economic Action Plan 2012, Flaherty announced: • $500 million over five years, starting in 2014–15, to the Canada Foundation for Innovation to support advanced research infrastructure; • $37 million annually to the granting councils to enhance their support for industry-academic research partnerships; • $60 million for Genome Canada to launch a new applied research competition in the area of human health, and to sustain the Science and Technology Centres until 2014–15; • $17 million over two years to further advance the develop- ment of alternatives to existing isotope production technolo- gies; • $40 million over two years to support CANARIE’s operation of Canada’s ultra-high speed research network; • $14 million over two years to double the Industrial Research and Development Internship program; • $12 million per year to make the Business-Led Networks of Centres of Excellence program permanent. “These investments will allow Ontario researchers to continue to contribute significantly to Canada’s social and economic growth,” said Alastair Summerlee, chair of the Council of Ontario Universities (COU) and president of the University of Guelph. More than $604 million came out of Ontario universities and affiliated research hospitals in 2008 alone, according to COU’s statement, which also touted the province’s post-secondary institutions as vital contributors to job growth and businesses investments in Canada. “With over 70 per cent of new jobs requiring some form of postsecondary education, investment in university research allows faculty to engage students in hands-on research, giving students the analytical and innovative skills they need to thrive in today’s knowledge-based economy,” said Bonnie Patterson, COU president and CEO. “The commitments made in (Thursday’s) budget support our students with the funding and infrastructure required to ensure that Canada’s workforce has the talent it needs to remain glob- ally competitive. It will also ensure that Canada continues to be a COVER ILLUSTRATION BY JENNIFER WILSON // WESTERN NEWS RESEARCH // CONTINUED PAGE 3 Western’s newspaper of record since 1972 2 Western News • April 5, 2012 Coming Events A memory in time (capsule) 5 // THURSDAY my and the Centre for Planetary Science and Exploration (CPSX) - Nikku Madhu- sudhan, Yale Center for Astronomy and The Museum of Ontario Archaeology Astrophysics, Yale University “Chemical “The Inuit: Their Land, Their Lives, Their Characterization of Exoplanetary Atmo- Art.” Come and explore the Canadian spheres.” Physics & Astronomy, Room Arctic. Miggs Wynne Morris has spent 22. 1:30 p.m. several years living and working in the Arctic. Includes photographs, wall-hang- ings and carvings on the Inuit, both past Writing Support Centre Workshop and present. Will run through the end of Technical Writing. WSS Room 3134. May. Visit: uwo.ca/museum. 12:30-1:30 p.m. Register at: sdc.uwo.ca/ writing. Don Wright Faculty of Music Season Finale with the UWO Singers and King’s University College Les Choristes. von Kuster Hall. 12:30 p.m. Christ the King University Parish invites you to join Easter Triduum. Holy Thurs- day, 7 p.m. The Chapel, 1486 Richmond St. Joint Seminar The Department of Physics and Astrono- 6 // FRIDAY Writing Support Centre Workshop PAUL MAYNE // WESTERN NEWS Writing Essay Exams. WSS Room 3134. While work on the new $31.1-million 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. Register at: sdc.uwo.ca/ Good Friday – University offices residence and dining pavilion at writing. closed. Brescia University College began just under a month ago, the official groundbreaking ceremony was held Visiting Speaker in Chemistry King’s University College Tuesday morning with the support of and the Centre for Materials and 13574 Pathway Ad 4x7.5 2/3/12 3:25 PM Page 1 Christ the King University Parish invites students, staff, faculty and alumnae. Biomaterials Research you to join Easter Triduum. Good Friday, The new building will help transform V. Ramamurthy, University of Miami, se- 3 p.m. The Chapel, 1486 Richmond St. Brescia’s presence over the next few nior editor, Langmuir, American Chemical years, as they look to recruit 1,200 Society. “Photochemistry in a Capsule: 7 // SATURDAY full-time students by 2015. A 2012 Spin, Electron and Energy Communica- graduate of Brescia, Andra Taylor tion Across A Molecular Wall.” Refresh- wanted to make her appreciation ments served prior to talk. Contact Mark King’s University College for Bresica known as she dropped Workentin at [email protected] or ext. BUSINESS Christ the King University Parish invites a personal note into a time capsule 86319. Room 0165, Biological & Geologi- DEGREES you to join Easter Triduum. , Easter Vigil, which, along with a number of cal Sciences Building. Visit uwo.ca/chem/ 9 p.m. The Chapel, 1486 Richmond St. other items, will be buried during aboutus/events.htm. the construction of the new building. 8 // SUNDAY To check out the look of the new residence, visit brescia.uwo.ca/about/ Applied Math Colloquium new_residence. Chris Bauch, Department of Mathematics $2,500 King’s University College and Statistics, University of Guelph. “The Christ the King University Parish invites role of contact networks, social learning, you to join Easter Triduum. Easter Sun- Don Wright Faculty of Music and game theoretical interactions in de- day, 10:30 a.m. The Chapel, 1486 Rich- Electoacoustic music featuring student termining vaccinating behaviour: empiri- mond St. compositions. Paul Davenport Theatre. cal and theoretical advances.” Middlesex 8 p.m. College, Rm. 204. 2:30-3:30 p.m. FIND YOUR 9 // MONDAY 11 // WEDNESDAY Learning Skills Presentation Don Wright Faculty of Music Preparing for and Writing Multiple- Contemporary Ensemble directed by Toastmaster’s Campus choice Tests. 3 p.m., WSS 3134. Register Paul Frehner and John Hess. von Kuster Communicators at: sdc.uwo.ca/learning. PATHWAY Hall. 6 p.m. Build your confidence in public speak- TURN YOUR DIPLOMA INTO A DEGREE. ing. Meets every Wednesday 12-1 p.m. 10 // TUESDAY in the UCC – check the website for spe- The Department of Modern cific room. 9119.toastmastersclubs.org/. Languages and Literatures Contact Donna Moore, [email protected] “La Tertulia” Spanish Conversation GradWrite Workshop or 85159. Group. Anyone wishing to speak Spanish Economy of words: Writing clearly and and meet people from different Spanish- concisely. WSS Room 3134. 12:30 p.m. speaking countries is welcome. Wednes- Register at: sdc.uwo.ca/writing. Department of Sociology days at 3:30 p.m. UC 288. E-mail tertulia@ RDC Brown Bag: Alison Konrad, “The uwo.ca. Vocational Well-Being of Workers with Learning Skills Presentation Childhood Onset of Disability.” Ivey 2R07 Manage Test Stress. 10:30 a.m., WSS (lunch noon Ivey 2R07). Faculty and Grad Graduate Research in Education 3130. Register at: sdc.uwo.ca/learning. students from any discipline welcome. Symposium 12:30 p.m. Faculty of Education building. Refresh- ments and free parking. 4-8:30 p.m. Turn your diploma into a degree through Humber's pathways. Apply for advanced standing by transferring your college credits into almost all of our degree programs. Those who qualify will also receive a one-time scholarship of $2,500, the only one of its kind in Canada. business.humber.ca/pathways Western News • April 5, 2012 3 Honours As a recipient of the prestigious Killam Prize, Professor Whalley joins “a very select group of distinguished Canadian scholars and we are delighted that he has received this much deserved recognition. Amit Chakma Western President JASON WINDERS // WESTERN NEWS Western Economics professor John Whalley, a 2012 Killam Prize winner, traces his passion for economics to Yale University, where he studied under three Nobel Prize winners. There, he learned the value of abstract theory lies in its application in practice and policy. Killam shines light on Whalley’s career NO STRANGER TO accolades during his sto- ners have included Maurice A. Bergougnou, later developed into the European Union. Recently, his focus on Chinese policy issues ried career, Western Economics professor John Engineering, 1999; Alan G. Davenport, Engi- “I learned there (at Yale), where I studied has led him to conclude, “nothing happens in Whalley has added a top Canadian research neering, 1993; and Henry J.M. Barnett, Health under three Nobel Prize winners, that the value China without impacting the rest of the world.” honour to his portfolio - the 2012 Killam Prize. Sciences, 1988. of abstract theory lies in its application in prac- In January 2011, Whalley was listed as the The Killam Program presents five $100,000 “As a recipient of the prestigious Killam Prize, tice and policy,” Whalley said.