The province is providing $100,000 to help UNBC pursue opportunities to turn its research projects and expertise into new business ventures that will create jobs and economic growth for the North, Advanced Education Minister Shirley Bond announced today on behalf of Rick Thorpe, Minister of Competition, Science and Enterprise.

“The funding we’re announcing today will support UNBC’s industry liaison office move science and technology advances into the marketplace,” said Bond, who is also MLA for Prince George-Mount Robson. “Funding like this supports further growth, development and economic diversification – along with advances in areas such as forestry, health, fisheries and agriculture.”

The university industry liaison office fosters collaborative research; assists in building UNBC’s research capacity; helps secure intellectual property protection for the results of research; and aids in the commercial development of the results of research.

“UNBC researchers are keen to work with all community sectors to provide new information and support,” said UNBC president Charles Jago. “This funding will help researchers establish links with potential partners to resolve both community and industry issues. This is a key component of building community capacity in the North.”

In one technology transfer project supported by the university-industry liaison office, UNBC researchers are working with Canfor’s North Central Plywood plant in Prince George on treating lumber infected by the mountain pine beetle. Using the university’s high-performance computer, they are creating a mathematical model to help the mill make best use of this unusually dry wood, to avoid either wasting energy by overdrying, or wasting wood by failing to dry it enough.

“Research and development is vital to the forest products industry for improving our products and processes and creating efficiencies – for example, this research partnership could lead to cost reductions in plywood production,” said David Emerson, president and CEO of Canfor. “It’s one example that illustrates the value of having expertise here where we live and work.”