Current Initiatives - ICT

ASRA's ICT strategy is extremely important in ensuring Alberta remains not only competitive, but also a leader. ASRA has taken significant steps to lay a foundation that will allow Alberta to fulfill the objectives of the ICT strategy.

The Alberta Information and Communications Technology Institute (AICTI):
The Alberta Information and Communications Technology Institute (AICTI) was created by the Government of Alberta through the Alberta Science and Research Authority Act in 2005. The Board provides leadership and guidance in expanding Alberta’s information and communications technology sector (ICT). The ICT Institute is revewing and updating the provincial ICT strategy “Information and Communications Technology: A Strategy for Alberta”. This strategy has led to successful projects and the creation of substantial infrastructure. Some important outcomes from this strategy include: the Alberta SuperNet, the Alberta Informatics Circle of Research Excellence (iCORE), Alberta Ingenuity Centre for Machine Learning, investments in high-performance computing infrastructure through WestGrid and Netera, and the establishment of the National Institute for Nanotechnology.

Alberta's SuperNet:
SuperNet is a significant cornerstone in Alberta's foundation for improved services in e-learning, e-health, e-government and e-commerce. The network will make Alberta the first jurisdiction in North America to connect its communities to the leading edge of the knowledge economy. Every community with a school, hospital, library or provincial government building will have access, strengthening Alberta's existing claim as the most wired jurisdiction on the continent.

Nanotechnology:
Nanotechnology is considered to be the next major revolution in technology with societal and economic impacts expected to be larger than those of the computer revolution. It is expected to play a vital role in revolutionizing many areas, including health, computing science, energy, biotechnology, education, manufacturing and engineering.

iCORE operates four research chairs, industry chairs, graduate students and recruitment activities. Since it was established in 1999, iCORE has provided $22 million in awards and has attracted over $80 million in additional research funding to Alberta. iCore has successfully funded almost 90 top ICT graduate students in Alberta. This year, iCORE funded 44 new and 28 continuing graduate students in computer science, electrical and computer engineering, and other ICT-related disciplines.

TRLabs: Western Canada’s leading research consortium in ICT. TRLabs operates five laboratories in Western Canada where university professors, graduate students, industrial sponsors and staff researchers work together to conduct applied research. This collaborative research program bridges the gap between academia and industry to produce original competitive research.

Technology Commercialization

Inno-centre Alberta:
Innocentre Alberta is a not-for-profit corporation at arm's length from government, is in its first year of operation in Alberta. It is a proven model for enhancing the commercialization of technology via the provision of experienced mentorship and improved access to capital.

ASRA provides ongoing financial support to University Technologies International Inc. and the Industry Liaison Office to assist in the transfer and commercialization of university based technology (identification and development of technologies, patenting, licensing and new company formation).

University Technologies International Inc. is a for profit corporation wholly owned by the University of Calgary providing services on all matters related to technology commercialization and the commercialization of intellectual property.

Industry Liaison Office: Provides services in contract research administration, technology transfer and partnership and network development to aid the University of Alberta in the generation and transfer of knowledge to benefit Canadian society.