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Building a stronger Alberta
May 18, 2007
Technology agreements with China to help bolster Alberta's knowledge economy
Edmonton... Significant opportunities for new partnerships in research, business and adult learning have been created during a week-long mission to expand Alberta's role as a global leader in technology industries and to develop knowledge-workers. Doug Horner, Minister of Alberta Advanced Education and Technology, wrapped up the mission to strengthen relations between Alberta and China with the signing of two technology agreements, bringing the total agreements signed on this trip to four.
"Partnering with China makes sense," said Horner. "China shares Alberta's focus on the priority areas of information and communications technology, life sciences, energy and nanotechnology. Scientific and technological cooperation with China will help advance our knowledge-based economy and build a stronger Alberta."
Horner signed an agreement with Tech Venture Institute Inc., a corporation that is organized and supported by four Asian universities and an Asian-based investment management company involved in technology development. The agreement will see Alberta collaborating with the group to: commercialize Alberta and Chinese technology; develop Asia-Alberta investment opportunities; and provide technology development opportunities for partnerships in areas of mutual interest such as green energy and fuel cell technology.
An agreement with the Shenzhen Science and Technology Bureau was also signed by Horner. This new focus on applied technology research and technology commercialization will help connect industrial and public sector entities in areas of mutual interest in life sciences, such as research and drug development for cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Horner also observed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Alberta-based TRLabs, Canada's largest information and communications technology (ICT) R&D consortium, and the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences.
By strengthening relationships with key public and private organizations and promoting the province's global role in the 21st-century knowledge-based economy, this mission supports Premier Ed Stelmach's plan to build a stronger Alberta. Other priorities for the government are to govern with integrity and transparency, manage growth pressures, improve Albertans' quality of life and promote safe and secure communities.
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Copyright(c); 2007 Government of Alberta
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