WATERLOO, Ont., (Monday, Nov. 21, 2011) - Some of the best scientific minds from 13 research organizations across Canada and Japan are connecting today and tomorrow at the University of Waterloo for a bi-lateral workshop in nanotechnology hosted by the Waterloo Institute of Nanotechnology.

The event is being held to strengthen and celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Canada-Japan Agreement on Cooperation in Science and Technology, and to advance research projects between international collaborators.

The workshop was convened at the request of the Governments of Japan and Canada. Topics of discussion among the 60 invited participants will include advancements in renewable energy and health care bio-diagnostics, and progress already realized from Canada-Japan collaboration.

"There are tremendous opportunities for international researchers and businesses to come to Canada and invest in research and development," said Minister of State (Science and Technology) Gary Goodyear. "This conference allows us to showcase opportunities in nanotechnology and promote stronger linkages with Canadian researchers and innovators. The relationship we are building will benefit the Canadian and Japanese economies."

"Japan has committed to advancing nanotechnology with Canada, one of the world renowned leaders in the field. I sincerely hope that the results of the many discussions will further enhance our partnership and serve as a model of future oriented cooperation for other countries to follow," said Kaoru Ishikawa, Ambassador of Japan to Canada.

The Canada-Japan nanotechnology workshop will enable stakeholders to highlight their success at a national level and allow individual researcher teams to advance their collaborative projects. Scientists, including Canada Research Chairs in the field of nanotechnology, along with government representatives and administrators from leading universities and nanotechnology organizations are in Waterloo to discuss the future of nanotechnology and recommend paths ahead.

"Nanotechnology underpins many of the advancements needed to solve some of the world's most pressing challenges," said Arthur Carty, executive director of the Waterloo Institute for Nanotechnology.

Carty added that the goal of international collaboration is to bring together outstanding researchers with diverse and complementary skills to provide new insights and find innovative solutions to critical global issues.

"I am delighted that the University of Waterloo campus is the host location for such a prestigious event," said Feridun Hamdullahpur, president of the University of Waterloo. "Attendees at this event comprise luminaries in the scientific community who are making a huge contribution to research and innovation globally."

The workshop gets under way today at 8:30 a.m. with opening remarks from Minister Goodyear and Ambassador Ishikawa, Carty, and George Dixon, vice-president research at the University of Waterloo.

About the Waterloo Institute of Nanotechnology

As an interdisciplinary centre of excellence pioneering high-impact R&D in nanotechnology, the Waterloo Institute of Nanotechnology is an independent research facility at the University of Waterloo. Nanotechnology is science and technology at the atomic and molecular scale – the design, fabrication and exploitation of materials and structures where dimensions are measured in billionths of a meter (10-9 m).

About the University of Waterloo

In just half a century, the University of Waterloo, located at the heart of Canada's Technology Triangle, has become one of Canada's leading comprehensive universities with close to 34,000 full- and part-time students in undergraduate and graduate programs. Waterloo, as home to the world's largest post-secondary co-operative education program, embraces its connections to the world and encourages enterprising partnerships in learning, research and discovery. In the next decade, the university is committed to building a better future for Canada and the world by championing innovation and collaboration to create solutions relevant to the needs of today and tomorrow. For more information about Waterloo, visit www.uwaterloo.ca.

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