The Government of Canada, through Western Economic Diversification Canada, is helping Thompson Rivers University (TRU), undertake projects that support research and development in the fields of analytical chemistry and tourism.
A federal investment of more than $624,000 towards the two projects was announced today by Cathy McLeod, Member of Parliament for Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo, on behalf of the Honourable Lynne Yelich, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification.
"Long-term economic prosperity requires vision and leadership and that's what our Government is delivering," said Ms. McLeod. "We're proud to support Thompson Rivers University in its efforts to develop new technologies and strengthen tourism - both of which contribute to building a more globally competitive and productive British Columbia."
With a federal investment of $400,000, TRU will acquire a liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer to enhance its scientific infrastructure capacity and enable increased economic interaction with local industry and research organizations. A liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer is a powerful analytic chemistry tool used in life sciences, environmental studies, the food industry, toxicology and forensic sciences.
"I'm looking forward to discoveries into new medicines and medical treatment, innovative solutions to pollution detection and remediation, and better food products enabled by the new mass spectrometer," said Dr. Nancy Van Wagoner, TRU Associate Vice-President Research and Graduate Studies. "Explorations in rural tourism are excepted to open doors to new ways of appreciating what our special region has to offer the world."
A second federal investment of $224,924 will go towards Thompson Rivers University School of Tourism to develop rural tourism products for the Mountain Pine Beetle affected communities of the central and northern regions of British Columbia. Project activities will include: organizing an advisory committee; hiring a project coordinator; researching and analyzing successful programs; hosting a conference to facilitate knowledge transfer of tourism product development in rural and remote communities, and coordinating the placement of tourism students. Delivered through the Community Economic Development Initiative program, this project will contribute to the long-term economic stability of these regions.
"TRU has creative and inquisitive researchers as well as very capable students whose work in the disciplines of tourism, science and technology support sustainable economic development," said Dr. Kathleen Scherf, TRU President and Vice-Chancellor. "The combination of these talented people with strategic federal investments, help guide TRU and our province into an exciting future."
Thompson Rivers University has demonstrated strength in maintaining linkages between trades, technology and academic programs. The University serves a broad geographic region with two campuses, one in Kamloops and the other in Williams Lake, and includes a strong distance and open learning capacity. Research is an important and growing component of the university's priorities, with a strong focus on community-based applied research and knowledge transfer.
Western Economic Diversification Canada works with the provinces, industry associations and communities to promote the development and diversification of the western economy, coordinates federal economic activities in the West and represents the interests of western Canadians in national decision making.
For additional information, contact:
Donna Howes
Communications Manager
Western Economic Diversification Canada
Vancouver, British Columbia
Tel: (604) 666-1318
Cell: (604) 505-6616
Christopher Seguin,
Vice-President Advancement
Thompson Rivers University
Kamloops, British Columbia
Tel: (250) 852-6357