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Provincial GovernmentAlberta Innovation and Science
Alberta Innovation and Science is the branch of the Alberta government
responsible for developing policy on high-tech research and development.
They also work to attract and encourage companies specializing in
high-tech industries including microelectronics, information networks,
multimedia, telecommunications, advanced materials, computer technology
and manufacturing.
Alberta Innovation and Science policies place a heavy emphasis on growth
and development to establish the province as a world-leader in high-tech
industry. The ministry refers to the strategic investment in cutting-edge
technologies as the Innovation System. Alberta's Innovation System,
according to the ministry, is critical to the future prosperity of the
province.
The policies of Alberta Innovation and Science call for investment and
development in three key areas
- Energy Research. Alberta's oil and gas supplies are declining, and
relying on old methods of production is not an option, according to
Alberta Innovation and Science. Research is necessary to improve the
extraction of oil and gas that remains, as well as reduce the impact on
the environment. This research is conducted by a collaborative effort
between government funding and university-industry laboratories. Research
resulting from these government-industry partnerships has created
significant innovations; all major technologies currently used in the
province's energy sector were developed from government-industry
partnership.
- Information and Communications Technology (ICT). In 1998, Alberta
Innovation and Science helped draft "Information and Communication
TechnologyA Strategy for Alberta" to promote growth and investment in
Alberta's ICT sectors. ICT is one of the fastest growing sectors in the
world's economy and predicted to annually generate more than $30 billion
for the province's economy under the new strategic plan. Alberta
Innovation and Science plans on making Alberta a global leader in ICT with
investments in university research and technological commercialization (or
the marketing of inventions).
- Life Sciences. Alberta has a long-standing tradition of funding health
and agriculture research. Life sciences, which includes human health,
agriculture, forestry and the environment, is predicted to be one of the
fastest growing industries in the coming years. The Alberta Government has
already invested large sums of money into these areas, having established
the Alberta Heritage
Foundation for Medical Research and the
Alberta Agricultural
Research Institute.
The previous and current investments in life sciences show Alberta is
transforming its traditional economy and creating a strong knowledge-based
economy.
The policies of Alberta Innovation and Science show the strong initiative
and commitment necessary to transform Albertas economy and recreate
Alberta as a technology-driven economy.
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