October 31, 2018 – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan – Western Economic Diversification Canada
Collaborative partnerships between university researchers and industry are key to driving innovative products and the competitiveness of Canadian businesses.
Today, the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada, announced a $30,000 investment to support three AIMday™ events at the University of Saskatchewan in 2018 and 2019. The first event, which focused on agricultural technology, took place today in Saskatoon.
AIMdays, or Academic-Industry Meetings days, are one-day events focused on an area ripe for innovation. Industrial organizations pose challenges based on a given topic. University researchers then meet with company representatives to explore potential research collaborations to address the challenges and lead to new products and processes.
The result: industry gains access to academic research experts to help solve industrial problems, and researchers gain insights and experience working with industry.
"Fostering partnerships between industries and academic researchers is key to driving innovation that increases Canada's competitiveness, contributes to sustainability and creates good jobs for Canadians. Congratulations to the University of Saskatchewan on their leadership with AIMday™."
The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minster responsible for Western Economic Diversification Canada
Quick facts
This is the fourth AIMday™ event held at the University of Saskatchewan. Previous AIMdays have focused on cancer research and medical imaging, mining and minerals, and big data.
The AIMday™ concept was developed at Sweden's Uppsala University. The University of Saskatchewan Innovation Enterprise office is the AIMday™ hub for North America.
