May 11, 2005 Antigonish, Nova Scotia A new high performance computing lab at St. Francis Xavier University is a good example of a partnership based on strong science and leading edge equipment, the Honourable Joseph McGuire, Minister of ACOA, said today. The computer lab is an integral part of a larger $6 million university project looking at ways to combat bacterial contamination associated with offshore oil production. This research is being undertaken by the university's Centre for Applied Petroleum Sciences and is receiving half of its funding from ACOA's Atlantic Innovation Fund (AIF). Minister McGuire, in congratulating the university on the opening of the lab today, said the project was the result of partnering between the university, government and the private sector. "Through programs such as AIF, ACOA is contributing to the development of an Atlantic-wide system of innovation that encourages collaboration not only between the private sector and universities, but among the various institutions themselves," said Minister McGuire. StFX University is actually home to three ACOA-funded research projects, representing a total investment of almost $9.5 million. In addition, ACOA has also provided support for an Industry Liaison Office (ILO) at the university. Similar investments have been made in ILO offices at Acadia, Dalhousie, Saint Mary's and Mount Saint Vincent Universities, as well as the Nova Scotia Agricultural College. Recently, ACOA also announced support for the Atlantic Research Commercialization Network involving 12 universities, the purpose of which is to effectively protect and commercialize university research. -30- For more information, please contact: Valérie Poulin Director of Communications Office of the Honourable Joseph McGuire Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (613) 941-7241
