Released on September 5, 2006
As part of the Government of Saskatchewan's commitment to expand the Innovation and Science Fund, two University of Regina researchers, Canada Research Chairs Dr. Christine Chan and Dr. Joe Piwowar, received over $800,000. This is combined funding from the Government of Saskatchewan's Innovation and Science Fund. Advanced Education and Employment Minister Pat Atkinson made the announcement today at the University of Regina."Supporting research and innovation in the province is integral to the Government of Saskatchewan's action plan to strengthen our economy," Atkinson said. "This funding recognizes the University of Regina's spirit of innovation and discovery, and the vital research undertaken that contributes to a dynamic learning community for students, faculty and researchers."
"Today's announcement recognizes the University of Regina's growing reputation as a centre of research excellence," University of Regina president and vice-Chancellor Robert Hawkins said. "The university serves our community in many ways – superior scholarship and world-class research on environmental issues is one of the most important. The research Dr. Chan and Dr. Piwowar are conducting is invaluable to the future of our community, province and country. We are very pleased to have such accomplished researchers at our university."
The Innovation and Science Fund will provide:
• $504,316 to Dr. Christine Chan for developing information technology solutions for the petroleum industry to deal with problems of slowing productivity and concern over adverse health-related impacts of pollution.
• $349,102 to Dr. Joe Piwowar for the examination of the impact of climate change on the prairie ecosystem and the development of strategies to promote future sustainability.
The Innovation and Science Fund supports research at Saskatchewan's universities, colleges and research institutes on projects receiving approval and funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation, the Canada Research Chairs Program, and the Canadian Institutes for Health Research. The provincial government has contributed nearly $62 million toward research and related infrastructure since the fund was created in 2000, and increased fiscal support to the Saskatchewan Innovation and Science Fund by 24 per cent since 2003.
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For More Information, Contact:
| Dianne Shannon Advanced Education and Employment Regina Phone: (306) 787-0926 | Sabrina Cataldo External Relations, University of Regina Regina Phone: (306) 585-5632 |