Thank you for the introduction.
Only a few short years ago, this space that we’re standing on was vacant. It was grass.
Where some saw only an open space, the University of Waterloo and our partners saw the potential for next great scientific revolution.
Today, we are standing beneath the mantle of one of the great architectural and scientific marvels of the world.
Executive directors Ray Laflamme of IQC; and Arthur Carty of WIN.
Mike and Ophelia, Doug (Fregin), Professor Hawking, Minister Goodyear, Minister Milloy, esteemed guests and members of the media:
Welcome to the Mike and Ophelia Lazaridis Quantum Nano Centre at the University of Waterloo.
There is a reason we are here at this particular building; at this particular university; in this particular city; in the presence of these particular partners.
It’s because it had to happen here.
At Waterloo, we’ve come together to achieve a nexus of research talent; philanthropic vision; government support and world-class post-secondary education.
As we note the importance of these strategic ingredients, let me specifically thank our key funding partners, Mike and Ophelia Lazardis, Doug Fregin, the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.
These funding partners have added their generosity and vision, to the University of Waterloo’s capacity for worldclass research, innovation and scholarship. Our gathering this evening shows that, together, our capacity for achievement and progress is unlimited.
QNC had to happen here, and we’re so pleased that it has.
From the university’s perspective, the Mike & Ophelia Lazaridis Quantum Nano Centre has great significance. It clearly demonstrates that the University of Waterloo is a world-class innovation university, worthy of our donors’ vision.
QNC also means that Waterloo is a different kind of university, endowed with a treasure of talented innovators chasing tomorrow’s great discoveries.
Through the work of our incredible researchers, QNC will ignite a thousand revolutions in science, technology and humankind’s creative potential.
As we celebrate the incredible architectural and scientific achievement all around us – and what it means to the University of Waterloo and our broader community – I’m left with one core conviction.
The path to the future runs through Waterloo.
Thank you.