Algoma U president loses bet. But she's okay with that

Algoma University President Celia Ross lost a bet yesterday to her academic dean, Arthur Perlini.

And she's delighted she lost.

"Before we came here today. I had a bet with the dean," Ross disclosed at a major announcement of provincial funding for post-secondary institutions.

The Algoma U boss thought her institution was only going to get some cash for renewing its archives system.

"Nonsense," Perlini told her. "We'll get a building."

He was right.

Ross made her remarks after Sault MPP David Orazietti announced that Algoma University will get just over $16 million to build a new biosciences and technology convergence centre, to help the university enlarge its science offerings and employ research chairs.

"I should never have doubted that you would pull through money for Sault College and for Algoma University and thank you so very, very much," Ross told Orazietti. "I know it wasn't simple because I know that there were many more asks than there was money.... It's tremendous that two projects of this extent have been funded here in Sault Ste. Marie. It's really remarkable."

Ross also thanked Mayor John Rowswell, MP Tony Martin and FedNor Minister Tony Clement for their efforts to bring this funding to the Sault.

Full releases from Algoma University and Clement's office follow.

************************ Algoma University to break ground on its new biosciences and technology centre SAULT STE. MARIE, ON - Algoma University applauds yesterday's joint federal-provincial announcement of $16,015,144 under the Knowledge Infrastructure Program (KIP) and the Strategic Capital Infrastructure Fund (SCIF) for the construction of a new biosciences and technology convergence centre that will house academic teaching and research activities in the sciences, and will provide space for a number of other organizations dedicated to science and technology research, development and commercialization in the Algoma region.

"This is a historic investment in academic infrastructure" said Dr. Celia Ross, president of Algoma University. "This project builds on the exceptional portfolio of world class research and innovation in the biosciences and technology sectors that exist in Sault Ste. Marie. The development of a dynamic convergence centre is designed to enable integration and ideas from different disciplines and to serve as a community centre for science and technology innovation activities. The project will contribute to national and provincial objectives in research and commercialization and will play a critical role in providing a future economic stimulus for Northern Ontario and will elevate Canada's international profile as a leader in the research and development sector."

The new biosciences and technology convergence centre will be a green building, with an area of 41,600 square feet and will be completed by 2011.

Seventy-eight construction-related jobs will be added immediately.

Thirty professional jobs will be created during the design and development phases of the project.

Within five years of completion, it is estimated that a minimum of 106 knowledge-based jobs will have been created.

The convergence centre will impact innovation, drive prosperity and permit Algoma University, Ontario's newest university, to continue on its growth plan to increase student enrolment and hire professors and research chairs in the sciences and technology fields.

"We thank both federal and provincial governments for their tremendous, generous investment in Algoma University and our community and in Ontario's knowledge infrastructure that will support the success of our students and economy of our province. We also thank David Orazietti MPP for his tireless and long standing support of Algoma U," said Dr. Ross. About Algoma University

Algoma University offers a wide variety of liberal arts and sciences degree options including programs in psychology, computer science, business administration, fine arts, community economic & social development, and biology. Algoma U is committed to offering a personal education experience unlike any university in Ontario.

As the Canadian home of the internationally recognized MSc CGT from the University of Abertay Dundee, Algoma University is at the forefront of computer games technology education.

Algoma University also offers accelerated second degree programs in business administration and computer science on its Brampton campus.

To learn more about Algoma University, visit www.algomau.ca. ************************ Minister Clement invests in Northern Ontario universities and colleges

ONTARIO — Yesterday, the Honourable Tony Clement, minister of Industry Canada and minister responsible for FedNor, announced that three more Northern Ontario universities and colleges received funding under the Knowledge Infrastructure Program (KIP).

Algoma University, Confederation College, and Sault College join Laurentian University, Canadore College of Applied Arts and Technology, and Northern College as successful recipients of KIP funding.

In total, Northern Ontario institutions have been awarded $36,658,248 from the federal government’s KIP program leveraging over $105 million including provincial and other contributions.

“By renewing the facilities in Northern Ontario, researchers and academics in our communities will have the tools they need to be global leaders in their fields and pursue world-class excellence,” said Minister Clement. “It is another way our government is working to strengthen Canada’s capacity to innovate and translate research into meaningful benefits for all Canadians.”

This investment is part of the federal government’s two-year, $2-billion plan to repair and expand research and educational facilities at Canadian colleges and universities.

The program is helping to provide economic stimulus and promote employment by creating jobs for engineers, architects, tradespeople and technicians.

It is also helping to generate the advanced technological infrastructure needed to keep Canada’s colleges and universities at the forefront of scientific advancement.

“This Government of Canada investment in our Northern Ontario colleges and Universities will provide significant short-term economic stimulus and will create jobs in this region,” said Minister Clement. “Our government is investing in innovation to create jobs, to help the economy recover quickly and to improve the quality of life for Canadians.”

Canada's economic action plan sets out to stimulate the Canadian economy over the next two years and to improve our long-term competitiveness through $12 billion in new infrastructure investment, which includes the $2-billion Knowledge Infrastructure Program.

This new support is the next substantive investment in the Government of Canada’s multi-year science and technology strategy: mobilizing science and technology to Canada’s advantage.

For more information about the Knowledge Infrastructure Program, including program criteria and application instructions, please visit www.ic.gc.ca/knowledge-infrastructure.

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