Waterloo Engineering is part of two ‘supercluster’ initiatives still in the running for a share of $950 million in federal funding intended to stimulate innovation.
Overall, the University of Waterloo is involved in three of nine bids shortlisted from over 50 applications.
While announcing the remaining contenders, Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains said they focus on fast-growing areas like artificial intelligence (AI), advanced manufacturing and clean technology.
The Canada-wide competition is expected to help boost the economy, promote research and create high-quality jobs.
Waterloo Engineering is part of the artificial intelligence-powered supply chains supercluster selected for the final phase of the initiative. The AI proposal is co-chaired by Louis Roy, president of OPTEL GROUP, and by Hélène Desmarais, chairperson and chief executive officer of the Centre d'Entreprises et d'Innovation de Montréal (CEIM) and Chairperson of Board of HEC Montréal.
If selected, the Institute for Data Valorization (IVADO) and the University of Waterloo, as well as other Canadian universities, would assist the consortium with their research capabilities in AI and related digital technologies.
Benefits will include 'quality jobs'
"The implementation of intelligent, ethical and responsible supply chains will help create numerous quality jobs while ensuring sustainable growth for our businesses," said Roy in an OPTEL Group news release.
Dean of Engineering Pearl Sullivan, who attended the announcement, said the University of Waterloo is honoured to be working with industry partners and IVADO.
"The initiative is based in Montreal and focused mainly in Quebec and Ontario, yet it is an inclusive project that will have a positive impact on the entire country and will be highly beneficial to the Canadian economy," she said.
Waterloo Engineering is also included in a shortlisted proposal to drive collaboration between the technology and manufacturing sectors. Its partners in the advanced manufacturing supercluster are Communitech Corp., MaRS Discovery District and Maple Leaf Foods.
The third proposal with University of Waterloo involvement is dubbed the Clean, Low-energy, Effective, Engaged and Remediated (CLEER) Supercluster: Powering Clean Growth Through Mining Innovation. It is led by the Canada Mining Innovation Council.
The federal government plans to announce up to five finalists in its Innovation Superclusters Initiative in early 2018.