Initiatives

ASRA has influenced all areas of Alberta's innovation system. Some important ASRA initiatives since 1994 include:

• Supporting the establishment of the National Institute for Nanotechnology (NINT) at the University of Alberta. Seed money from ASRA played a major role in landing this $120 million institute in Alberta and will help position the province to become a leader in realizing the commercial potential of the booming field of nanotechnology.
• Developing an ICT strategy, which helped with the creation of Alberta SuperNet This high-speed broadband network is linking libraries, schools, hospitals and government offices in 422 communities province-wide and is cementing Alberta's reputation as one of the most "wired" jurisdictions in North America.
• Supporting university research through the Alberta Science and Research Investments Program, which promotes research excellence and attracts federal funding to support priorities in energy, ICT and life sciences research.
• Creating an integrated energy innovation strategy for the sustainability of Alberta's abundant natural resources.
• Creating an integrated life sciences strategy led by the Alberta Committee for Life Sciences Innovation aimed at improving our quality of life and creating a successful life sciences business sector.
• Supporting the establishment of the Alberta Ingenuity Fund
• Facilitating the creation of the Alberta Synchrotron Institute to ensure access for Alberta researchers to the Canadian Light Source, Canada’s first synchrotron facility.This relatively new, intense light source is being used to develop better drugs, create biodegradable plastics and design new microchips for more powerful computers, among other applications.
• Helping create the Banff International Research Station for Mathematical Innovation and Discovery.
• Facilitating the establishment of iCORE
• Helping form the Alberta Network for Proteomics Innovation to advance Alberta's growing life sciences sector. Proteomics research, known as the next generation of life sciences research, could profoundly impact areas such as health care, agriculture, forestry and the environment.
• Supporting the establishment of BioProducts Alberta, a strategic network created to look for opportunities and identify priorities in the life sciences.
• Enhancing Alberta's health R&D infrastructure, including Health Research Innovation Centres, the Cardiac Centre of Excellence at the University of Alberta Hospital, and the Alberta Bone and Joint Institute.

Individually, each of these achievements is significant. Together, they represent a dynamic and cutting edge research and development environment that is open for business and ready to take on the world.