University of Alberta Edmonton, Canada 4 April 1997

NCEs, ILO, Medical Genetics and Research Technology Management receive cash

Province passes savings on to high-tech sector

By Michael Robb

The provincial government is passing on savings from the restructuring of the Department of Economic Development and Tourism to the province's high-tech sector-and the University of Alberta is a major beneficiary.

The University's Department of Medical Genetics, Industry Liaison Office, the province's three Networks of Centres of Excellence and the Alberta Microelectronic Centre will receive the lion's share of the $7.8 million. AMC will receive $1.9 million for capital costs and $1.2 million for operating costs.

"We are injecting $7.8 million into a high priority area for economic development in Alberta-its advanced technology research base," said Steve West, former Minister of Economic Development and Tourism.

The money is a welcome shot in the arm for the Department of Medical Genetics, a newly created department expected to attract significant research investment in the province and enhance the development of the province's growing biotechnology and pharamaceutical industries. According to the department chair, Dr. Diane Cox, the money will be used to help partially pay the renovation costs associated with the establishment of the

department on the eighth floor of the Medical Sciences Building.

Who gets what:

Alberta Microelectronics Centre $1,900,000 (capital)

$1,200,000 (operating)

Alberta Research Council $300,000

U of A, Medical Genetics $1,500,000

Networks of Centres of Excellence (U of A) $544,000

Networks of Centres of Excellence (U of C) $338,000

Networks of Centres of Excellence (U of L) $13,000 University Technologies International (U of C) $400,000

Technology Transfer Office (ILO, U of A) $850,000 Research Technology Management (U of A) $800,000

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