FQRNT - Annual meeting of the Strategic Networks

2007-02-22 - Hyatt Regency - Montréal

Theme : Québec strategic networks, partners in innovation

The meeting attracted many of the Quebec actors in university research. The number of participants exceeds last year's. In the morning, six network directors presented their activities. In the afternoon session, a panel covered the innovation challenges for research in natural sciences and engineering and the perspectives for the future. Minister Henri-François Gautrin participated in the panel after speaking on behalf of Mr. Raymond Bachand, Minister of Economic Development, Innovation and Export of Québec (MDEIE).

The new Québec Research and Innovation Strategy explicitly recognizes the crucial role of research in natural sciences and engineering in the development of an innovative and prosperous Québec. Indeed, FQRNT's budget was increased by 43,8 % over the next three years. The Strategic Networks are at the heart of this recognition and the budget increases. The government expects much from these Networks as partners in Innovation. Hence the choice of this year's theme.

CRIAQ is funded by FQRNT and André Bazergui was honoured to be among the invited speakers.

A very successful event.

Photos: André Bazergui (CRIAQ)

The traditional group photo with some 130 participants

The morning session speakers with the FQRNT officials : Guy Provost (V-P, FQRNT), Jacques Marchand (Centre de recherche sur le béton (Research Center on Concrete), CRIB), David Plant (Centre de systèmes et technologies avancées en communications, (Communications Advanced Systems and Technologies), SYSAcom), Diane Déziel (replacing Réal Vallée, Centre d'optique, Photonique et laser (Optics, photonics and Lasers), COPL), François Lalonde (Centre de recherches mathématiques (Mathematics), CRM), Pierre J. Carreau (Centre de recherche en plasturgie et composites (Plastics and Composites), CREPEC), Sylvie Dillard (President, FQRNT), André Bazergui (CRIAQ)

The afternoon panel: Minister Henri-François Gautrin (for the MDEIE, The Quebec Strategy for Research and Innovation), Jean Nicolas (U. of Sherbrooke, Technology Transfers, what do we mean?), Gilbert Drouin (Past-president of Valorisation Recherche Québec, Success factors in the valorisation of Quebec university research), Charles Despins (CEO, PROMPT-Québec, moderator, Industry's point of view)