April 17, 1998

U of A has the "Smarts"

Dr. Jim Murray, and the U of A's first Smart Business Award

The U of A's Dr. Jim Murray picked up the top award at the first annual "Smart City" luncheon April 8.

The Industry Liaison Office director won the Smart Business award, presented to an individual or organization for "bridging education and business and playing a significant role in helping to make Edmonton a 'Smart City.'"

TRLabs' Dr. Wayne Grover, a professor in electrical and computer engineering, won the Research and Technology award for an individual or company that develops new products as a result of "active research and development activities." Grover, chief scientist for network systems at TRLabs, invented technology that allows communication lines to repair themselves in milliseconds. That means a telecommunications breakdown, affecting your telephone, the Internet, 911 emergency services, etc., can smoothly continue operating, instead of turning into a few minutes of inconvenience or a catastrophe. TRLabs was founded more than 10 years ago by the U of A, Nortel and the government of Alberta.

In addition, Kelly James, a research associate in the Division of Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine and Oral Health Sciences, was a finalist in this category for his work on the "C-leg." James combined a software program, using a microchip as its brain, and a hydraulic damper to improve the cadence of people using prosthetic legs. The C-leg gives users a more natural gait, says James.

Another U of A finalist was Dr. Marilynn Wood, dean of nursing, for the Innovative Teaching award. Wood was nominated in her capacity as chair of the Coordinating Council of Health Sciences, which includes the deans of all the health sciences faculties. They collaborate to find cooperative efforts in research, teaching and internationalization activities, act as a forum for health related issues and provide feedback to the vice-president academic.

Other winners include: Merit Contractors Association, Workforce Quality Award; Grant MacEwan Community College for its ElderWeb, Innovative Teaching Award; Capital City Savings, Educational Partnership Award; and Edmonton Festivals Organizers, Quality of Life Award.

The awards are based on the criteria of what makes Edmonton a "Smart City," a designation given by the Globe and Mail's "Report on Business" several years ago. A Smart City is defined as one with a highly skilled workforce, a close relationship to a research-intensive university, close partnerships among the business, education and government sectors, numerous high-technology companies and an enhanced quality of life with a vibrant cultural and continuing-education scene.

Folio front page

Office of Public Affairs

University of Alberta