Premier Christy Clark, speaking at the Vancouver Island Economic Summit, today announced $2.6 million for research projects at Vancouver Island’s three public universities.

“So much of what we take for granted in our daily lives was made possible by groundbreaking research,” said Premier Clark. “Funding research at public post-secondary institutions on Vancouver Island supports a vibrant innovation sector, creates jobs and has the potential to improve lives in B.C. and around the world.”

The research ranges from recording important First Nations’ knowledge about the health of coastal estuaries at Vancouver Island University, to research at Royal Roads University that benefits B.C. municipalities, to research at the University of Victoria into unmanned air vehicles that can help manage natural resources.

“The funding supports diverse research projects that can help improve the health of our province, the health of our communities and the health of our citizens,” said Advanced Education Minister Amrik Virk. “World-class research at public post-secondary institutions taking place here in B.C. is supporting an energetic research community in our province while creating jobs in a very exciting sector.”

The funding is being provided by the British Columbia Knowledge Development Fund, which supports research infrastructure in British Columbia.

“The BC Knowledge Development Fund is designed to promote partnerships in research and innovation at our post-secondary institutions,” said Minister of Technology, Innovation and Citizens’ Services Andrew Wilkinson. “The funding also provides students with opportunities to get involved in projects that can improve our lives and the world around us, while supporting innovation in our province.”

“This provincial government's funding of research at the University of Victoria will support world-leading research for the benefit of our economy and society, including advances in health, environmental and natural resource management,” said UVic president Jamie Cassels. “Our research also gives UVic students the advantage of studying in an environment inspired by discovery and innovation.”

“This funding plays an important part in supporting VIU faculty who put their expertise to work on in-depth research initiatives that are relevant to the communities and peoples in our regions,” said Vancouver Island University president and vice chancellor Ralph Nilson. “It also supports the university’s goal to offer our students opportunities to take part in experiential learning, participating in applied research with highly qualified and engaged faculty at both the undergraduate and master’s level.”

“Dr. Ann Dale’s simulation program is a prime example of how Royal Roads faculty and student research is relevant, current and connected directly to the communities we serve,” said Royal Roads University president and vice-chancellor Allan Cahoon. “As a research university with a specific mandate to focus solely on applied research, our work impacts not only B.C. municipalities, but communities worldwide.”

Since 2001, the provincial government has invested more than $2 billion to research and innovation in B.C., leveraging an additional $1 billion in research funding from other sources, for a total of $3 billion. $550 million of that has been awarded through the British Columbia Knowledge Development Fund.

Learn more about the British Columbia Knowledge Development Fund at: www.gov.bc.ca/citz/technologyandinnovation/

Media Contacts:

Sam Oliphant
Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
250 952-7252

Stacey McGaghey Jones
Communications Manager
Ministry of Advanced Education
250 952-6400

BACKGROUNDER

Funding research at Vancouver Island public universities

University of Victoria - $2 million

The University of Victoria has been awarded more than $2 million to fund 11 research projects that range from genetic research to unmanned air vehicles. Projects include:

• Purchase of next generation DNA sequencers for stem cell research - $70,000.
• Equipment to develop a 3-D digital fabrication lab to share cultural heritage materials - $36,988.
• Field equipment to enable the study of mammal populations in fragmented landscapes - $121,500.
• Equipment to support research into developing new approaches to protecting ourselves against infectious disease and cancer - $469,720.
• Equipment for Behavioural Neuroscience Centre to develop new tools to enhance brain development and recovery - $300,000.
• Ferry Ocean Colour Observation Systems to measure ocean reflectance and temperature which will lead to better fish management strategies - $97,500.
• Bio-retention Cell Detoxification Lab to study pollution in storm water which will assist engineers and municipalities when dealing with storm run-off management - $115,000.
• Fully Automated System for the Carbon Retention and Carbon Cycles in the Ocean that will enable researchers to understand carbon transport in the deep sea - $80,000.
• Remote Sensing Payloads for Unmanned Air Vehicles to allow unmanned air vehicles to assist with the management of natural resources - $120,000.
• Small Animal Robotic CT Image Guided Micro-Irradiator will enable research into how radiation affects the immune response to cancer - $360,000.
• Structural Studies of Dynamic Lipid Signalling Complexes will enable the study of the shape and behaviours of proteins - $325,000.

Vancouver Island University - $497,000

Two unique research projects at Vancouver Island University will help serve First Nations, communities and people of the region, thanks to $496,928 from the British Columbia Knowledge Development Fund.

One project will support field research, including a mapping laboratory and digital story telling laboratory for resource management of coastal estuaries. Researchers are recording and documenting disappearing First Nations knowledge, changes in diet, and encourages the protection and remediation of coastal ecosystems.

An environmental monitoring project will create a state-of-the art mobile facility that will measure the level of chemicals in the air and water. The results will be accessible in Google Earth.

Royal Roads University - $102,000

Funding of more than $100,000 has been awarded to researchers at Royal Roads University to develop a computer-based simulation model to help make informed community investment decisions.

The Royal Roads project received $102,300 toward developing a computer-based simulation model for sustainable community development. Led by Dr. Ann Dale, the model will integrate land, water and energy use with environmental, social and economic considerations, allowing community decision-makers and municipal planners to make more informed development decisions through a broader analysis of costs and benefits.

Media Contacts:

Sam Oliphant
Press Secretary
Office of the Premier
250 952-7252

Stacey McGaghey Jones
Communications Manager
Ministry of Advanced Education
250 952-6400

Valerie Shore
Research Communications
University of Victoria
250 721-7641

Shari Bishop Bowes
Communications Officer
Vancouver Island University
250 740-6443

Doug Ozeroff
Senior Manager, Communications
and Alumni Relations
Royal Roads University
250 391-2526