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NRC, Set In Motion a World-Class Center for Nanotechnology

The Government of Canada, through the National Research Council, enters into an agreement with Alberta establishing the National Institute for Nanotechnology. (November 14, 2001, , AB) - The Governments of Canada and Alberta, as well as the (U of A) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to build the new National Research Council (NRC) National Institute for Nanotechnology (NINT) at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Alberta. The institute and its partners will directly employ a total of 150 people. The MOU will ensure close cooperation and co-ordination between all parties to establish outstanding research and development (R&D) programs, train highly-qualified personnel, and transfer technology. The MOU was signed by the Honourable Anne McLellan, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada on behalf of the Honourable , Minister of Industry, the Honourable Victor Doerksen, Minister of Alberta Innovation & Science, Dr. Rod Fraser, U of A President and Dr. Arthur Carty, President, National Research Council (NRC). The $120 million state-of-the-art institute announced by Prime Minister Jean Chretien and Alberta Premier Ralph Klein on August, 17, 2001, will operate as a collaborative venture involving NRC and Alberta. Alberta will contribute $60 million over five years and the Government of Canada will contribute the additional $60 million, as well as invest at least $12 million in ongoing operating costs after year five. "Canada has the opportunity to be a world leader in this emerging high technology field," said Minister McLellan. "This national institute will be a centrepiece of Canada's emerging nanotechnology sector by successfully integrating and leveraging the strengths of the NRC, U of A and the Province of Alberta in this field." "In Alberta, we see a unique partnership between the University of Alberta, a leader in research and education; the NRC, a leader in research, technology development and commercialization; and, the Province of Alberta, committed to innovation and technology growth," said Minister Doerksen. "Together, our investment and our commitment from all our post-secondary institutions will continue to build on our successes in growing Alberta's knowledge-based economy." "University research and knowledge have become integral to economic prosperity," said Dr. Fraser. "As the University of Alberta has unique world-class strengths in the area of nanotechnology, this partnership with the new institute will give us the tools to become world leaders in the nanotechnology sector." NINT will be a world-class centre for nanotechnology research that will attract a core of the world's best minds in a field expected to revolutionize everything from computing and communications to medicine, energy and manufacturing. This new institute will help build our national system of innovation and foster the development of a regional and community-based technology cluster - drawing more national and international investment and helping to attract highly-skilled professionals to the community. Main features of NINT include NRC research, innovation and commercialization programs, a major physical installation and state-of-the-art facilities shared by U of A and NRC scientists, and a collaborative R&D program. "NINT will provide the research anchor which will enable Canada to be at the leading edge of the emerging nanotechnology revolution," said Dr. Carty. "This unique collaborative venture will be a catalyst for technological innovations to drive the development of a new nanoscience cluster in Edmonton." Nanotechnology is manufacturing at the molecular level and is expected to revolutionize electronic and photonic devices, computing and information technologies, engineered materials, robotics, genomics, health care, biotechnology and clean energy production. While located in Alberta, NINT will have a national mandate to establish a world-class program in molecular and nano-scale science and engineering, technology transfer and commercialization. The institute will develop its research efforts with Canadian and international partners to focus on major opportunity areas. - 30 - For further information, please contact: Nathalie Gour - National Research Council - 613-990-6091 - [email protected]

Glenn Guenther - Province of Alberta, Alberta Innovation & Science - 780-427-0285 - [email protected]

Sandra Halme - University of Alberta - 780-492-0442 - [email protected]

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