TORONTO, January 12, 2006 -- York University welcomes today's federal government announcement establishing the National Institute for Convergent Technologies (NICT) in Markham, Ontario -- the first National Research Centre institute to be situated in the GTA.

The NICT is the result of long-term partnership between York University and the Town of Markham, in collaboration with the National Research Council and with the participation of IBM, Sunnybrook Hospital, the University of Waterloo and sanofi pasteur Limited.  

“This initiative is the fruit of York’s strength in science and innovation and leverages York Region’s leadership in the vital areas of bio-medical technology and IT,” says York President & Vice-Chancellor Lorna Marsden.  “We will build on the Markham-York University track record of success in innovative collaborative projects such as YORKbiotech and the Innovation Synergy Centre in Markham (ISCM).”

York University’s VP Research & Innovation Stan Shapson adds, “NICT will serve as a catalyst for convergence of biomedical and information technology, enabling the research and commercialization of discoveries in health care—an expanding field as the population ages and lives longer. We see strong applications to the health sector with innovations such as remote assessments and treatments, early diagnosis and increased patient self-care.”

The objective is to drive new transformative technologies that will readily attract capital for commercialization and which have exponential and multiplier effects in the economy.  The NICT, along with initiatives at the University of Toronto and the University of Waterloo, will increase national productivity and international competitiveness, and help to attract and maintain the best minds and companies in Canada.

York University is the leading interdisciplinary research and teaching university in Canada.  York offers a modern, academic experience at the undergraduate and graduate level in Toronto, Canada’s most international city.  The third largest university in the country, York is host to a dynamic academic community of 50,000 students and 7,000 faculty and staff, as well as 190,000 alumni worldwide.  York’s 10 faculties and 21 research centres conduct ambitious, groundbreaking research that is interdisciplinary, cutting across traditional academic boundaries.  This distinctive and collaborative approach is preparing students for the future and bringing fresh insights and solutions to real-world challenges.  York University is an autonomous, not-for-profit corporation.

 

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For more information, please contact:

Richard Fisher

Chief Marketing & Communications Officer

York University

416-736-5585

Richard.Fisher@yorku.ca