March 16, 2015 – Fredericton, NB – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
The University of New Brunswick’s Dr. J. Herbert Smith Centre will take on two new projects at its Technology Management and Entrepreneurship Centre (TME), thanks to investments by the Government of Canada.
Mike Allen, Member of Parliament for Tobique-Mactaquac, on behalf of the Honourable Rob Moore, Regional Minister for New Brunswick and Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency), joined University of New Brunswick and Dr. J. Herbert Smith Centre officials to make the announcement today.
Dr. J. Herbert Smith Centre’s first project will help the Technology Management and Entrepreneurship Centre establish a technology commercialization program (TCP) .This initiative will provide TME students, trained with product development skills, with the opportunity to become entrepreneurs and launch new start-up companies by commercializing and taking new technologies to domestic and international markets. A second project will assist the TME to develop a needs assessment to establish a Centre of Expertise for rapid prototyping in New Brunswick.
The Government of Canada, through ACOA’s Business Development Program, is providing contributions totaling $385,800 toward these two initiatives. The Dr. J. Herbert Smith Centre is contributing a total of $72,600 toward the two initiatives.
Quick Facts:
- The Dr. J. Herbert Smith Centre for Technology Management and Entrepreneurship (TME) is located within the Faculty of Engineering at the University of New Brunswick (UNB) Fredericton campus.
- Established in 1988, the Centre was named after Dr. J. Herbert Smith, a graduate of the University of New Brunswick's Faculty of Engineering, whose successful career with General Electric Canada included 15 years as its President and Chief Executive Officer.
- The Centre offers an undergraduate program designed to ensure that students and working professionals with technological background have the necessary business and entrepreneurial skills to succeed.
- Several graduates of the TME program have gone on to launch their own highly successful businesses while others have gone on to rewarding careers at some of the most highly respected companies in the world, including Shell, NB Power, Proctor & Gamble, Bell Canada and Phillips.
- The overall objectives of the TCP are: 1) Create at least four high tech start-ups per year in New Brunswick; 2) Retain highly qualified people in New Brunswick (particularly TME graduates); 3) Develop and build entrepreneurship skills in the province; 4) Promote innovation and commercialize new and existing technologies; and 5) Improve the competitiveness of New Brunswick by developing innovative solutions to industry specific needs.
Quotes:
“Our Government is committed to creating jobs and economic growth, while returning to fiscal balance. Our support for the Dr. J. Herbert Smith Centre will help the Technology Management and Entrepreneurship Centre establish a technology commercialization program and a centre of expertise for rapid prototyping, thus creating new opportunities for New Brunswick and economic growth through innovation.”
Mike Allen, Member of Parliament for Tobique-Mactaquac, on behalf of the Honourable Rob Moore, Regional Minister for New Brunswick and Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency)
“Entrepreneurship is deeply rooted in the lives of New Brunswickers and our institutions. Continually receiving such great support from our community is truly a humbling experience, generating a stronger and more sustainable province. The spirit of collaboration, and entrepreneurship amongst educators, industry, and government is nurturing an innovation culture and resulting in an evolving story on why the Maritimes is the place to be.”
- Dr. Dhirendra Shukla - Chair of the Dr. J. Herbert Smith Centre, Technology Management & Entrepreneurship Program at UNB
Associated Links :
Contacts:
Kelsie Corey
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Rob Moore
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
613-941-7241
Ted Parisé
Senior Communications Officer
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
506-260-7020
Dr. Dhirendra Shukla
Chair
Dr. J. Herbert Smith Centre
506-453-3587
