Two of the world’s top innovation universities hope to accelerate breakthroughs in research and commercialization with a new agreement signed during a joint conference in Israel today, Tuesday March 18, 2014.
The agreement between the University of Waterloo and Technion-Israel Institute of Technology brings together some of the top minds in quantum information science, nanotechnology and water for pure and applied research.
Feridun Hamdullahpur and Peretz Lavie at the signing of a new research partnership today in Haifa, Israel.
“As two of the world’s top innovation universities, the University of Waterloo and Technion are natural partners,” said Feridun Hamdullahpur, president and vice-chancellor of the University of Waterloo. “This partnership positions both Waterloo and Technion for accelerated progress in the key areas of quantum information science, nanotechnology, and water. These disciplines will help to shape the future of communities, industries, and everyday life.”
The conference to mark the start of the new partnership, and a reciprocal event in Waterloo planned for later in 2014, is funded by a donation to the University of Waterloo from The Gerald Schwartz & Heather Reisman Foundation.
“The agreement between the University of Waterloo and Technion will lead to joint research projects between Israeli and Canadian scientists in areas crucial for making our world a better place,” said Peretz Lavie, president of Technion. “I could not think of a better partner for such projects than the University of Waterloo.”
The new partnership agreement will connect students and faculty from both institutions with global markets through technology transfer and commercialization opportunities with industrial partners in Canada and in Israel.
“This partnership between two global innovation leaders puts in place the conditions to support research breakthroughs and new opportunities for commercialization on an international scale,” said George Dixon, vice-president of research at Waterloo. “University of Waterloo and Technion have a history of research collaboration going back almost 20 years.”
A joint research conference in Israel to mark the signing featured presentations by some of the world’s top researchers, including Raymond Laflamme, executive director of Waterloo’s Institute for Quantum Computing. A former student of Stephen Hawking, Laflamme is now leading the quest to develop the world’s first universal quantum computer.
The conference also featured the work of nanotechnology expert Carolyn Ren whose knowledge of Lab-on-a-Chip Technology has the potential to revolutionize medical diagnosis and treatment by making chemical and biomedical diagnosis faster, easier and less expensive. Canada Research Chair in Groundwater Remediation, David Blowes, also presented on his work to find new and better ways to stop or reverse contamination caused by mining operations.
The new research partnership will increase international opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and post-doctoral student research exchanges, along with joint training and education programs, including dual and joint degree programs. The institutions will also collaborate on applied research projects, workshops, seminars and conferences.
Both universities and The Gerald Schwartz & Heather Reisman Foundation will provide seed funding for these collaborative efforts, beginning with the joint conference, held at Technion’s main campus in Haifa, Israel.
About the University of Waterloo
In just half a century, the University of Waterloo, located at the heart of Canada's technology hub, has become one of Canada's leading comprehensive universities with 35,000 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, please visit www.uwaterloo.ca.
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