March 9, 2018
Canada and Manitoba Invest in Science Innovation at University College of the North
– – –$2-million Investment in State-of-the-Art Science Labs in Northern Manitoba
University College of the North (UCN) has unveiled the completion of a $2-million science lab renovation at their campus in The Pas today, thanks in part to investments by the governments of Canada and Manitoba.
“This once-in-a-generation investment by the Government of Canada is a historic down payment on the government’s vision to position Canada as a global centre for innovation. That means making Canada a world leader at turning ideas into solutions, science into technologies, skills into jobs and start-up companies into global successes,” said Innovation, Science and Economic Development Minister Navdeep Bains. “Not only is the investment at the University College of the North improving both the safety and functionality of the science labs, it will also make students innovation-ready to come up with bright ideas or land a new job.
The project expanded UCN’s science lab spaces to respond to northern and Indigenous research and educational priorities and to bring labs up to industry standards. Improvements include upgrades to chemical storage, fume hoods and safety devices. UCN invested $1.1 million, the Government of Canada provided $550,000 through the Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund and the Government of Manitoba provided $450,000.
“We recognize that modern science and technology infrastructure is essential for Manitobans to be able to collaborate on and contribute to cutting-edge research,” said Manitoba Education and Training Minister Ian Wishart. “The rapid advancement of science, technology, engineering and math means it is our obligation to ensure our students are given the tools necessary to succeed in careers in those fields. By partnering with University College of the North and the federal government, we are creating a place for students in Manitoba’s northern communities to thrive and spur innovation.”
The renovated science labs will increase capacity to allow up to 240 students to access each lab and will house a designated space for a lab assistant to conduct ongoing research activity.
“The renovation of the science lab at UCN’s campus in The Pas helps to ensure that science students, teacher education students taking a science teachable major/minor and nursing students have access to state-of-the-art lab facilities that contribute to high-quality learning experiences that prepare them for the challenges they will face in their working lives,” said Doug Lauvstad, UCN’s president and vice-chancellor. “UCN is very grateful to the provincial and federal governments for their generous support of this project.”
Affinity Architecture Inc., a firm of architectural experts and consultants, developed the technical drawings and Logan Stevens Construction provided general contracting services. The project was completed in September 2017.
- 30 -
The Province of Manitoba is distributing this news release on behalf of the governments of Canada and Manitoba and the University College of the North.