The winds of change are blowing at UOIT as the General Motors of Canada Automotive Centre of Excellence officially opens

OSHAWA, ON - With bone-chilling temperatures and blowing snow as a backdrop, the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) today officially opened the General Motors of Canada Automotive Centre of Excellence (ACE). This state-of-the-art facility offers a full range of testing facilities that allow for full climatic, durability and lifecycle testing, including one of the largest and most sophisticated climatic wind tunnels in the world.

"This is a monumental day for UOIT as we open for the first time in Canada a climatic testing, validation and innovation facility of this size and magnitude," said Dr. Ronald Bordessa, UOIT president. "The doors of ACE will be open to the world regardless of a company's size or affiliation, giving people from all walks of life an opportunity to work, learn and discover here. The possibilities for society are unlimited."

"Today marks a new era of research and development in Durham Region, Ontario and the rest of Canada," said theHon. Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance and Whitby-Oshawa MP. "With this new world-class facility we will be able to develop the next generation of electric vehicles, green energy technology and products not yet thought of, right here in our backyard."

"The Automotive Centre of Excellence will be a magnet for entrepreneurs and the best and brightest researchers and students," said the Hon. Sandra Pupatello, Ontario Minister of Economic Development and Trade and Windsor West MPP. "This will have a tremendous positive impact on Ontario's ability to innovate and attract advanced manufacturing in this highly competitive global economy."

"This new state-of-the-art facility is home to the first research, development and innovation centre of its kind inCanada," said the Hon. John Milloy, Ontario Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities and Kitchener Centre MPP. "Indeed, it's one of the few such facilities in the world. It is a shining example of the University of Ontario Institute of Technology's commitment to provide quality training and education. The contribution of our partners here - professors, researchers, staff and students - is enormous, and it demonstrates just how UOIT is putting students first."

"We have partnered with ACE to further build on the leading research we perform in Canada, enabling us to develop cutting-edge innovations that will revolutionize the auto industry," said Kevin Williams, President and Managing Director of General Motors of Canada. "Innovation and R&D are not only core advantages, they are essential, and the facilities at ACE provide access to world-class tools that ensure the next generation of engineers is equipped to compete globally."

UOIT students Anthony Boland (left) and Amy LaRue (right) join Dr. Michael Owen, associate provost, Research, UOIT, and put the unique, five-storey climatic wind tunnel to the test at the official opening of the Automotive Centre of Excellence at UOIT.

"This event highlights the transition we are seeing in Durham Region from a primarily manufacturing-based economyto a diversified knowledge-driven economy," said Roger Anderson, Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer of theRegional Municipality of Durham. "The Automotive Centre of Excellence will complement and enhance the great products and services our region has to offer the rest of the world."

"The Automotive Centre of Excellence will help to create more jobs in our community and further improve the reputation of this great city," said John Henry, Mayor of Oshawa. "We want to see UOIT students learn here and stay here after graduation to work and raise a family. World-class facilities like ACE will help us retain these bright young people."

ACE is owned by the university and will operate as an independent test facility, available to rent by manufacturers of all descriptions, start-up companies and researchers in Canada and around the world. It has an area of approximately 16,300 square metres divided into two distinct sections: a core research facility and an integrated research and training facility. The total cost of the facility is approximately $100 million.

ACE was developed in partnership with UOIT, General Motors of Canada Ltd. (GMCL), the Partners for the Advancement of CollaborativeEngineering Education (PACE), the Government of Ontario and the Government of Canada.

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About UOIT

As an innovative university, UOIT delivers a leading-edge learning environment that uniquely combines academic knowledge, researchopportunities, hands-on skills and a vibrant student life. UOIT's more than 7,400 undergraduate and graduate students are taught byprofessors 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; Education; Energy Systems and Nuclear Science; Engineering and Applied Science; Health Sciences; Science; and Social Science and Humanities. UOIT'scommitment to research excellence has resulted in millions of dollars in grants and awards, including seven Canada Research Chairs. Tofind out more, visit www.uoit.ca or call 905.721.8668.

Official ACE website: http://ace.uoit.ca

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
Bryan Oliver
Communications and Marketing
Ontario Tech University
905.721.8668 ext. 2209
289.928.3653
bryan.oliver@uoit.ca