Clean and green fuels $73-million federal-provincial investment at UOIT
May 29, 2009
New centres will deliver the energies and vehicles of the future
OSHAWA, ON. - With a construction crane towering overhead, Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty and Ajax-Pickering MPP Joe Dickson announced today that the federal and provincial governments are investing $28-million in the Automotive Centre of Excellence (ACE-Global) at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT). Each government is committing $14 million to ACE-Global, a world-class research, design and training centre focused on the next-generation automobile industry.
"We are thrilled that both the Harper and McGuinty governments are committed to partnering on a vision that will see ACE-Global become a global leader in designing the clean and green vehicles of the future," said UOIT President Dr. Ronald Bordessa. "This new investment bolsters an industry and community in transition, providing the innovation infrastructure for a prosperous and sustainable future. This is education and research taking a leadership role in the auto recovery, and in the future of transportation in all its modes."
ACE-Global will be a sandbox for the entire automotive and aviation sector, luring industry partners from around the world to access the leading-edge facility. Construction of Phase 1 of the high-tech centre began in 2007 at UOIT's Durham Region campus in the eastern GTA. The new investment will expand the centre's climatic wind tunnel and create the capacity for a rolling road, both of which are key design and testing structures. The wind tunnel is large enough to accommodate cars, buses, trucks, trains and airplane wings.
The announcement comes on the heels of news earlier this week, that the joint federal and provincial Knowledge Infrastructure Program will also fund a new Energy Systems and Nuclear Science Research Centre on campus with a $45.4-million investment. The new 9,290-square-metre (100,000-square-foot) is receiving $22.7-million contributions from each of the federal and provincial governments. The centre will house UOIT's unique-in-Canada programs, including courses in wind, solar, hydrogen, hydraulic, nuclear and geothermal energy. It will also provide undergraduate, graduate and second career training and a new home for the innovative research being conducted by faculty. Public-private research and commercialization partnerships will solidify Durham Region's reputation for being the energy capital of Ontario.
"The centre will give this region, the province and Canada the energy solutions and the highly skilled workforce that will power our economy for decades to come," said Dr. Bordessa. "Given our location in the heart of Ontario, where energy is already a major industry, this investment couldn't come at a better time to focus eyes on the future prosperity that this initiative will help to create. This centre is a perfect fit for the region and our campus. We live the future of energy here at UOIT with our geothermal heating and cooling, green roofs and specially designed windows."
Construction work on both projects will begin by this August.
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About UOIT
As an innovative university, UOIT delivers a leading-edge learning environment that uniquely combines academic knowledge, research opportunities, hands-on skills and a vibrant student life. UOIT's more than 5,500 students are taught by professors who are experts in their fields from around the world. As Ontario's first laptop-based university, the university offers a diverse array of challenging undergraduate and graduate degree programs through its faculties of Business and Information Technology; Criminology, Justice and Policy Studies; Education; Energy Systems and Nuclear Science; Engineering and Applied Science; Health Sciences; and Science. UOIT's commitment to research excellence has resulted in millions of dollars in grants and awards, including five Canada Research Chairs. To find out more, visit www.uoit.ca or call 905.721.8668.
OSHAWA, ON. - With a construction crane towering overhead, Federal Finance Minister Jim Flaherty and Ajax-Pickering MPP Joe Dickson announced today that the federal and provincial governments are investing $28-million in the Automotive Centre of Excellence (ACE-Global) at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT). Each government is committing $14 million to ACE-Global, a world-class research, design and training centre focused on the next-generation automobile industry.
"We are thrilled that both the Harper and McGuinty governments are committed to partnering on a vision that will see ACE-Global become a global leader in designing the clean and green vehicles of the future," said UOIT President Dr. Ronald Bordessa. "This new investment bolsters an industry and community in transition, providing the innovation infrastructure for a prosperous and sustainable future. This is education and research taking a leadership role in the auto recovery, and in the future of transportation in all its modes."
ACE-Global will be a sandbox for the entire automotive and aviation sector, luring industry partners from around the world to access the leading-edge facility. Construction of Phase 1 of the high-tech centre began in 2007 at UOIT's Durham Region campus in the eastern GTA. The new investment will expand the centre's climatic wind tunnel and create the capacity for a rolling road, both of which are key design and testing structures. The wind tunnel is large enough to accommodate cars, buses, trucks, trains and airplane wings.
The announcement comes on the heels of news earlier this week, that the joint federal and provincial Knowledge Infrastructure Program will also fund a new Energy Systems and Nuclear Science Research Centre on campus with a $45.4-million investment. The new 9,290-square-metre (100,000-square-foot) is receiving $22.7-million contributions from each of the federal and provincial governments. The centre will house UOIT's unique-in-Canada programs, including courses in wind, solar, hydrogen, hydraulic, nuclear and geothermal energy. It will also provide undergraduate, graduate and second career training and a new home for the innovative research being conducted by faculty. Public-private research and commercialization partnerships will solidify Durham Region's reputation for being the energy capital of Ontario.
"The centre will give this region, the province and Canada the energy solutions and the highly skilled workforce that will power our economy for decades to come," said Dr. Bordessa. "Given our location in the heart of Ontario, where energy is already a major industry, this investment couldn't come at a better time to focus eyes on the future prosperity that this initiative will help to create. This centre is a perfect fit for the region and our campus. We live the future of energy here at UOIT with our geothermal heating and cooling, green roofs and specially designed windows."
Construction work on both projects will begin by this August.
-30-
About UOIT
As an innovative university, UOIT delivers a leading-edge learning environment that uniquely combines academic knowledge, research opportunities, hands-on skills and a vibrant student life. UOIT's more than 5,500 students are taught by professors who are experts in their fields from around the world. As Ontario's first laptop-based university, the university offers a diverse array of challenging undergraduate and graduate degree programs through its faculties of Business and Information Technology; Criminology, Justice and Policy Studies; Education; Energy Systems and Nuclear Science; Engineering and Applied Science; Health Sciences; and Science. UOIT's commitment to research excellence has resulted in millions of dollars in grants and awards, including five Canada Research Chairs. To find out more, visit www.uoit.ca or call 905.721.8668.
About Ontario Tech University
A modern, forwarding-thinking university, Ontario Tech advances the discovery and application of knowledge to accelerate economic growth, regional development and social innovation. We inspire and equip our students and our graduates to make a positive impact in a tech-focused world. For us, it’s not only about developing the next tech breakthrough. Understanding and integrating the social and ethical implications of technology differentiates us as university. Learn more at ontariotechu.ca.
Media contact
Tony Doyle
Communications and Marketing
Ontario Tech University
905.721.8668 ext. 2209
tony.doyle@uoit.ca
