2009-2008

News Release

REF NO.: 190

SUBJECT: Memorial University wraps research campaign and announces winner of unique prize

DATE: June 18, 2009

Memorial University has made a big impression on delegates attending this year’s Newfoundland and Labrador Oil and Gas Industries Association’s (NOIA) international petroleum conference, which wraps up today in St. John’s.
Business executives, industry leaders and others from around the globe have gotten a chance to learn first-hand about the exciting and innovative research taking place in the province by Memorial’s researchers.
The university has been front and centre during the conference, which attracted more than 900 delegates.
On Tuesday, Dr. Ray Gosine, vice-president (research) pro tempore, announced Memorial’s Research Report 2009 as well as a promotional campaign centered on the university’s impressive growth in research funding.
The theme of this year’s report – which includes a new interactive website www.mun.ca/big -- as well as a new promotional and advertising campaign is This is the start of something big. Both build on the fact that Memorial was ranked the top university in the country in terms of research income growth from 2002-2007.
According to Research Infosource, Canada’s premier publication about research and development, the university’s research income grew by an 116.7 per cent, ahead of other leading post-secondary institutions including the University of Toronto and the University of British Columbia. Memorial’s score was more than double the category average of about 50 per cent growth.
And the feedback from conference delegates could not be better, said Dr. Gosine.
“It has been genuinely inspiring,” he noted. “People have really been impressed by not only the report and the launch of our website, but also the exceptional job Memorial has done in promoting growth in research funding. Staff from our Division of Marketing and Communications have done an outstanding job of promoting the very good news about Memorial’s growth.”
Memorial’s presence has been felt throughout the week during the NOIA conference.
In addition to being the sponsor of this year’s luncheons, Memorial also rolled out an advertising and awareness-building campaign, which included ads in national, regional and provincial publications, as well as a series of videos – featuring Memorial graduates – which have been showcased during conference luncheons.
The videos feature alumni at various famous landmarks; the central message being that although the world-famous attractions are big, Memorial’s research and its research growth are even bigger.
Memorial also set up an information booth at the conference and has been projecting the campaign message, This is the start of something big, along with the web address www.mun.ca/big, onto the sides of large buildings in the city.
And, the university today announced the winner of a unique contest the university launched at the conference.
Dr. Eddy Campbell, acting president, announced during today’s luncheon that Anthony James of the Town of Conception Bay South is the winner of the Break Bread with Big Wigs draw. Mr. James, along with three guests, will be treated to a special lunch hosted by Memorial Chancellor Rick Hillier and several other Memorial officials.
The NOIA conference officially wraps up later today in St. John’s.

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