Released on October 13, 1995
Economic Development Minister Dwain Lingenfelter said today he hopes
people will take the opportunity during Science and Technology Week to
learn more about the innovative research and development projects going
on in the province. Saskatchewan has issued a proclamation for the
period of October 13 to 22, to coincide with the dates for National
Science and Technology Week.
"The theme for this year's Science and Technology Week tells us we
should discover what's in our own backyard, and we certainly have a lot
to be proud of in Saskatchewan," Lingenfelter said. "We are considered
world leaders in many areas of science and technology, such as
agricultural biotechnology, digital communications, telecommunications,
computer software, instrumentation, robotics, computerized banking and
health care management systems."
Some of the important technology-related developments or announcements
made in Saskatchewan in the past year include:
announcements by CIBC and the Canadian Cancer Society that they
will establish national telephone call centres in Regina, largely
because of SaskTel's advanced communications and digital networks;
the province's announcement of a multi-media learning strategy,
"Connections to a World of Learning", which consists of three
initiatives:
- $1.5-million Program Development and Support Fund;
- Multi-media Learning Network; and
- Telecommunications Enhancement fund;
a letter of intent signed with AgrEvo in September, which could
lead to the establishment of a centre for oilseed and cereal
crops research in Saskatoon;
the announcement in March that Pelorus Navigation Systems will
establish a plant in Saskatoon to manufacture its aircraft
navigation systems;
the grand opening in February of Microgro International Research
Inc.'s lab and greenhouse in Biggar; and
the January announcement that a $9-million multi-tenant
biofermentation pilot plant will be built in Saskatoon, creating
75 permanent jobs.
"Development of leading edge products and technology in areas such as
agricultural biotechnology and information technology gives us a
competitive advantage in the world marketplace," Lingenfelter said.
"It allows us to attract more investment, which leads to jobs and
economic activity for Saskatchewan people and businesses."
The minister added that Saskatchewan's Research and technology
Commercialization Strategy and Action Plan will continue to play an
important role in developing the province's capabilities in science and
technology. Many of the strategy's goals were achieved during its
first year, including:
establishment of the Canadian Space Agency's space Resource Centre
for the Prairie Region in Saskatoon to provide space education,
information and resources for teachers, students and the public;
establishment of Software Technology Centres at the University of
Regina and at Innovation Place in Saskatoon;
implementation of the Internet Access Application Development
Fund, to help businesses and organizations get their products and
services onto the information highway; and
establishment of a Saskatchewan office for the Canadian
Environmental Technology Advancement Corporation, to support
development, application and commercialization of environmental
technologies.
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For more information, contact:
Anne Ballantyne
Economic Development
Saskatoon
Phone: (306) 933-7207
Highlights of Science and Technology Week activities in Saskatchewan
are attached.
Science and Technology Week in Saskatchewan
October 13 to 22, 1995
Highlights of Activities
The theme for the week is: "Science and Technology...Discover It...It's in Your Own
Backyard"
October 12 and 14: People are invited to assemble and launch their own model
rocket. Location: Room 44 Kirk Hall, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon.
Contact: Peter Jonker at (306) 966-5552.
October 13: Professor Bertram Brockhouse, 1994 Nobel Prize winner in physics,
lectures at 3:30 p.m. Location: Room 112, Classroom Building, University of
Regina. Contact: Faculty of Science at (306) 585-4144.
October 13 to 22: Science Fair-related activities will be held at schools in six
regions of the province: Regina, contact Jim Langen at (306) 791-8466; Moose
Jaw, contact Rhonda Phillips at (306) 731-2262; Saskatoon, contact Alan Goranson
at (306) 668-7900; Yorkton, contact Graham Farrell at (306) 272-3307; Leader,
contact Jerry Smith at (306) 628-3895; and Northern Saskatchewan, contact Phil
Racette at (306) 425-2255.
October 16 and 17: Caroline Robins Elementary School in Saskatoon will hold a
"Lunar Colony Simulation", sponsored by the Western Space Education Network.
Location: Caroline Robins School, 1410 Byers Cres., Saskatoon. Contact: Dinnette
Bentley at (306) 374-1395.
October 18: Open House at the Saskatchewan Research Council from 1 to 4 p.m.
Location: Main Floor, 15 Innovation Blvd., Saskatoon. Contact: Jessica Twidale at
(306) 933-6584.
October 18: Open House at TRLabs, and tours from 9 a.m. to noon. Location:
Main Floor, 15 Innovation Blvd., Saskatoon. Contact: Trudy at (306) 668-8200.
October 18: Open House/Announcement of the Prairie Region Canadian Space
Agency Space Resource Centre, 10:30 a.m. to noon. Location: Holy Cross High
School, 2115 McEown Avenue, Saskatoon. Contact: Bill Brooks at (306)
966-6443.
October 19: 1995 Shapley Lecture -- "Hubble's Universe: Space Telescope
Discoveries from Mars to the Farthest Realms" at 7:30 p.m. Location: Lecture Hall
110, Classroom Building, University of Regina. Contact: Faculty of Science at
(306) 585-4144.
