innovation — breaking new ground

"It is not the strongest of the species that survive, not the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change." Charles Darwin, naturalist

On hand for the announcement of Inco's gift to Memorial that will establish the Inco Innovation Centre were (L-R) Edward Roberts, chair of the Board of Regents; President Meisen; Scott Hand, Inco chairman and CEO; Roger Grimes, premier of Newfoundland and Labrador; and Sandra Kelly, provincial minister of Youth Services and Post-secondary Education.

Memorial University has always been shaped by our surroundings. Our unique geography has instilled in us a drive to understand the science and the culture of this place, and the work we do continues to evolve and reflect this.

This was the year of the Voisey's Bay announcement. A year that saw mining and metallurgy catapult to the top of the provincial mindset, and a year that saw Memorial enter into an innovative partnership designed to maximize this historic deal.

With the year's largest corporate donation to any Canadian university, Inco and Memorial joined forces to convert the Thomson Centre into the Inco Innovation Centre, a modern research facility that will address the scientific, technical and human resource needs of the Voisey's Bay project. Inco will spend $10 million on the facility and provide an annual endowment of $1 million over 10 years to operate it.

The potential is immense. Said Inco Chairman and CEO Scott Hand: "I believe Memorial will become an international centre for mining and metal technology."

The Inco Innovation Centre will build on the university's existing research strengths in earth sciences and engineering and help develop innovative research in a number of areas, said Memorial President Axel Meisen.

Mr. Hand said that through the Innovation Centre, Inco, as an acknowledged leader in global mining technology, will "transfer that knowledge and expertise through a homegrown training program that we believe will encourage young people to pursue their careers and lives in the province."

"I know that is a goal of the people of the province. Give young people a reason to stay and work in this province. Our goal is a trained and skilled workforce. Again, our goals are aligned. I believe Memorial will become an international centre for mining and metal technology."