New centre of excellence major coup for Canada's newest university

Oshawa, Ont. - The University of Ontario Institute of Technology - Canada's newest university - is thrilled to be chosen one of the five universities to establish the new Centre of Excellence for Electricity and Alternative Energy Technology.  

The announcement, made in the March 27, 2003 Ontario budget speech, is landmark news for the university. Opening in Oshawa, Ontario, in September 2003, the university will offer a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Nuclear Engineering and a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Radiation Science - both unique in Canada - as well as programs in business, education, justice, manufacturing engineering, nursing and the sciences.

"Without a doubt, the Ontario government recognizes the significant role that our new university will play in post-secondary education and in creating and attracting world-class research," noted Gary Polonsky, founding president and vice-chancellor of the University of Ontario Institute of Technology. "We look forward to working with McMaster, Queen's, U of T and Waterloo."

The Ontario government has earmarked $20 million over five years to establish the new centre, which will have involvement from the private sector as well as universities. Each university will have a chair in applied energy technology. The chairs will co-ordinate applied research and related commercial projects, to develop more efficient and environmentally friendly energy technologies. As well, the chairs will create applied energy technology education initiatives.

"The establishment of this research chair and the new Centre of Excellence allows our university to play a key role in developing alternatives to current energy sources. This will help preserve our environment for our future, the future of our children and our grandchildren," said George Bereznai, dean, School of Energy Engineering and Nuclear Science at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology.

The University of Ontario Institute of Technology received a second mention in the March 27th budget speech, noting that it will open in the fall.

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