The National Research Council Canada - Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC‐IRAP) Pacific Region is collaborating on a new initiative with Simon Fraser University (SFU) with the objective of further encouraging collaboration between SFU and small to medium‐sized technology companies in BC (SMEs).

The objective of this nitiative is to promote active interaction between SMEs in BC and the SFU community, to increase and enhance SME growth. It is intended to streamline the process of SMEs who would like to establish working relationships with SFU, including consultation by SFU faculty, researchers and staff. The initiative will help to raise mutual awareness by providing an introduction and facilitation between both the SMEs and the SFU community.

It is anticipated that a greater degree of interaction between the SFU community and the SMEs will result in further collaboration and joint development projects from the various activities of this initiative.

Benefits for SMEs:
• Establish key contacts with the appropriate resources in SFU;
• Access relevant SFU expertise through obtaining consultation, technical evaluation or product analysis services with minimum delay or paperwork;
• Obtain immediate benefits from the R&D capabilities at SFU that relate to product or service development and commercialization;
• Overcome the critical initial barrier preventing SMEs from seeking SFU assistance in technology development. There is an initial one‐stop shop contact point through the involvement of the SFU-TIME Incubation Centre;
• Benefit from marketing and business development assistance through the SFU MBA-MOT (Management of Technology) Program.

The initiative can provide the opportunity to MBA candidates to develop a marketing strategy or business plan.

How and What:
SME can obtain consulting expertise (for a limited number of hours), student assistance or use of some of the specialized facilities at the SFU locations (Burnaby, Surrey, Vancouver).

Some of the specialized areas of expertise include, but are not limited to:
• Design/User Interaction • Kinesiology/Human Mobility
• Imaging/Visualization • Life Science
• Environmental/Geography • Medical Devices
• Wireless Sensor Networks • Small Business Consulting

For More Info contact:
Elmer Sum
778-782-7750
elmers@sfu.ca
or
Justine Bizzocchi
778-782-7508
justine@sfu.ca

After a few delays, a refurbished tester and over 60 applicants the results or the 2008 APEG Popsicle Bridge Competition Results are in!

The winners are:

Cameron Nagle MacLean Elementary 8 years and under
AJ Pellizzari Fruitvale Elementary age 9 ~ 12
Ryan Sahlstrom Kinnaird Elementary age 13 ~ 18
Mike & Robyn Thomas over 18 years

 

To see pictures and all the test results visit the APEG website.

Or click on the below attachment. 

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2008 West Kootenay Popsicle Bridge Results.pdf	13.17 KB

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LifeSciences BC Announces Recipients of the 2008 LifeSciences British Columbia Awards

Vancouver, British Columbia, March 14, 2008 – LifeSciences British Columbia today announced the recipients of the 2008 LifeSciences British Columbia Awards (previously known as the British Columbia Biotechnology Awards). They are:

• Dr. Don Riddle for Genome BC Award for Scientific Excellence Award
• Pyng Medical Corporation for Medical Device Company of the Year Award
• Bob Rieder for Executive of the Year Award
• Dr. Bernie Bressler and Roger Foxall for Lifetime Achievement Award
• Dr. Martin Taylor for Leadership Award
• Lignol Energy Corporation for Emerging Life Sciences Company of the Year Award

These awards are presented annually by LifeSciences British Columbia to recognize individuals and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to the development of British Columbia’s life sciences industry, and to increase public awareness and understanding of life sciences in the province.

“The strength of the life sciences community in BC is exemplified by this slate of impressive award recipients, who represent the remarkable breadth of talent found across the many sectors in our province,” commented Karimah Es Sabar, President of LifeSciences British Columbia.  “We’re delighted to be making our 10th annual awards this year, and that the achievements being made here are so strong and reflective of our diversity in the life sciences.  We extend our warmest congratulations to this year’s winners.”

The awards will be presented at a gala ceremony April 10th in front of an audience of approximately 600 biotechnology, medical devices and greater life sciences and public policy leaders at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Vancouver (please visit www.lifesciencesbc.ca for full details on the receipients of the awards as well as the awards ceremony).

Selkirk College's Digital Arts and New Media program is readying itself for another end-of-year exhibition, and it promises to be an unforgettable celebration of student ingenuity and hard work. Students have spared no expense in terms of talent, energy and technical know-how in order to present a new, edgy, interactive experience.

Their obsessions with design, photography, coding, editing, animating, filming, compositing and more will be on full display and leave onlookers amazed by what can be accomplished.

This year’s Digital Arts and New Media Year End Show will take place on Friday, April 18 from 6-9 p.m. at Mary Hall, which is situated on the Tenth Street Campus in Nelson. Admission is free and complimentary food and refreshments will be provided. A special opening for high school students will begin at 1:30 p.m. and provide an opportunity for those with interest in new media to talk one-on-one with current college students and instructors.

The highlight of the show is the always entertaining class demo reel, which consists of more than 20 minutes of visual mind candy. However, numerous installations showcasing student work in web design, video, animation, 3d modeling, print design, graphic design and motion graphics are bound to grab attention as well.

Additionally, industry experts Wendy Boylan and Sean Smillie will be speaking at the show.

Boylan possesses nearly 20 years of public relations and marketing experience in the entertainment industry, working with global leaders such as Sony Pictures, 20th Century Fox and Walt Disney. She has been involved in the Toronto International Film Festival and has created national promotions for a variety of film launches. She is currently marketing director of Action Pants Inc.

Smillie has been involved in the gaming industry since 2001. He has worked for Buena Vista Games, Electronic Arts Canada and currently serves in the role of senior writer and creative designer for Action Pants Inc. He has worked as a game tester, intern, freelance writer, assistant and associate producer, game designer and associate director.

Selkirk College’s Digital Arts and New Media Year End Show is expected to be a intriguing experience of the latest in the digital arts and new media as well as refreshing, good entertainment.

 

For more information contact Jason Taylor at Selkirk College

Calling all submissions...

Now in its 15th year, BCTIA's Technology Impact Awards is the largest and most inclusive technology event in the province, involving all BC technology companies.
 
Those who participate in the TIAs benefit through:

• Recognition as a leading technology company who demonstrates extraordinary excellence. Set yourself apart from the competition and become a 2007 TIA Finalist or Winner!
• Exposure via media distribution channels and the year-round marketing communications program delivered by BCTIA to showcase all Finalists and Winners. Finalists and Winners will also take part in our monthly Impact Speaker Series Program, putting their company in front of potential mentors, partners, investors and advisors.
• Opportunity A recognized TIA Finalist or Winner catches the searching eye of many. Investors look for quality assurance and available tech talent looks to work for companies that inspire. Give them the reason they need to keep your company at the forefront of consideration.

This program is open to technology companies whose head office is based in British Columbia, or whose parent company has established a significant operating division, including senior management, in British Columbia.
 
Technology companies of all sectors and of all sizes are encouraged to submit their application to the Technology Impact Awards by March 7.
 
The awards celebration will be held June 12.
 
Full details of the awards categories can be found at www.bctia.org/awards or call 604-683-6159 for more information.

CALL FOR NOMINATIONS...

BC Innovation Council is celebrating innovation excellence with the 2008 BC Innovation Council Awards. Held annually, the dinner honours exceptional innovators in B.C. who have made significant achievements in research, science communication and technology commercialization. These prestigious awards are given to individuals whose contributions positively impact quality of life in the province and internationally.

In order to recognize British Columbia’s top innovators, BC Innovation Council is calling for nominations from members in industry, academia, and government. We need your support to nominate an outstanding scientific researcher, industrial innovator, high-technology entrepreneur or science communicator.

Why Nominate?

• Recognize a leader whose accomplishments are
celebrated by peers in their field
• Create awareness for achievements establishing B.C. as
a world-class centre for innovation
• Distinguish a candidate who sets the bar for
future innovators

The deadline to submit a nomination for the 2008 BC Innovation Council Awards is Friday, May 30th, 2008.

For more information or for nomination Terms and Forms visit the BCIC website> or contact:

Marketing & Communications
British Columbia Innovation Council
Phone: 604.438.2752
Toll-free: 1.800.665.7222

Now recruiting for the 2008 program!
Contact:
Wei Liu
604.602.5255
wliu@lifesciencesbc.ca

The Program: BC Excels is a rigorous one-year business development mentorship program managed by LifeSciences BC for executives from emerging companies seeking to enhance their own professional development, and their company’s product plan, commercialization and intellectual property protection strategies. It is a learner-centered program, where participants are paired with successful entrepreneurs and guided through a highly interactive, sector-specific, educational program. Originally designed for the medical device sector, LifeSciences BC has now enhanced BC Excels to be applicable to all life sciences sub-sectors including biopharmaceuticals, bioproducts, agricultural, forest, and marine biotech.

The program is divided into several components, including:

Mentorship:  Companies partner with highly experienced and successful mentors from your specific sub-sector who work with you through the program. These mentors advise and guide you through the Educational Modules and Think Tanks. In addition, mentors and companies are expected to make regular arrangements to meet outside of the program.

Educational Modules: Participants must complete a series of modules throughout the year that focus on key life science business development areas: IP strategy, growth management, finance, corporate governance, market development, and regulatory affairs.Life Sciences

For more information click here>

Four New Centres of Excellence
for Commercialization Established in BC

British Columbia’s life sciences research community has once
again demonstrated its stature as a true national leader in the commercialization of innovation by proving to be the most successful sector and cluster in Canada at securing recent federal funding.

To read full press release click on the attached pdf file.

 

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British Columbia Life Sciences Sector Leads the Way in Securing Federal Research Funding -- Four New Centres of Excellence for Commercialization Established in BC.pdf	39.22 KB

NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Patti Leigh
(604) 443-7557
pleigh@sciencefairfoundationbc.ca

Kimmie Gulevich, a Grade 10 student from Dr. Kearney Junior Secondary School in Fort St. John, and Brian Le, a Grade 12 student from Kelly Road Secondary School in Prince George have returned big winners from the Taiwan International Science Fair, held February 16th to 23rd in Taipei, Taiwan.

Ms. Gulevich’s work entitled ‘’Biodiesel: Does it Make Cents?’ was awarded third place in the Environmental Science category. Her project studied the practicality of biodiesel by researching the argument of food versus fuel, comparing the energy efficiencies of biodiesel, and petroleum diesel and studying the effect of temperature on biodiesel.

Mr. Le’s work entitled ‘Blood Brain Barrier Breached’ was awarded third place in the Medicine and Health Science category. His project
investigated whether SVCT2 is an effective and safe protein to attach to certain brain tumour treatments and bypass the Blood Brain Barrier.

The students were accompanied by Mr. Kevin Frankham, a teacher at Bert Ambrose Elementary School in Fort St. John. The students were selected to participate based on their science fair project work, their effective communication skills and their ambassadorial qualities. Mr. Frankham was chosen as the educator because of his broad teaching experience and his many years of enthusiastic support of the science fair program and its educational benefits for students.

While in Taiwan Kimmie and Brian home-stayed with a local family which provided both a wonderful ambassadorial opportunity as well as a unique and incredible cultural experience. The International
component of the competition included entries from Canada, Hong Kong, Iran, Korea, Kuwait, Mexico, Namibia, New Zealand, Philippines, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand,
United Arab Emirates and United States.

As Mr. Frankham says, ‘It has been an amazing experience for all of us. We have seen some interesting sites and had a chance for wonderful cultural and scientific exchanges with people from many countries. It has been a memorable experience.’

This is the fifteenth year that British Columbian students have attended the Taiwan International Science Fair as part of an international science fair exchange program set up by the Science Fair Foundation of British Columbia. The Science Fair Foundation of British Columbia is supported by the Ministry of Small Business and Economic Development.

‘Through scientific research, Science Fair participants are able to gain important life and job skills which help reveal where new career opportunities exist’ said Patti Leigh, Executive Director, Science
Fair Foundation of BC. ‘Science fairs allow students to stretch their imaginations and intellect, and they also provide a chance for young scientists to network with their peers and with potential mentors.’

British Columbia regional science fairs are supported by the Science Fair Foundation of British Columbia, a non-profit organization whose vision is to sustain and enhance the science culture of the youth of British Columbia.

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