Office of the Vice-President (Research)

Feedback for Memorial’s Innovation Strategy will be extended from Wednesday, July 22 to Friday, Aug. 7 at 5 p.m. to allow all Memorial University campuses and stakeholders additional time to provide feedback.

The Innovation Strategy is intended to guide Memorial in creating what it hopes to be one of the most progressive innovation environments in Canada. It is supported by Memorial’s vision to “be one of the most distinguished public universities in Canada and beyond, and … fulfill its special obligation to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador”.

The development of the Innovation Strategy began in Sept. 2014, and was initiated by Dr. Richard Marceau. Mr. Rick Meaney, director, Department of Technical Services, was appointed to manage the development of the plan in partnership with Dr. Ray Gosine, vice-president (research) pro tempore from Oct. 2014 to Mar. 2015. The process aimed to examine Memorial’s performance on innovation-related outcomes and to develop a supporting strategy.

The first step in the development of the Innovation Strategy was to review best practices and policies from select Canadian Universities. Following this, extensive consultations were undertaken with a wide range of stakeholders including more than 100 industry associations, government agencies and industrial partners. Input was also requested from all faculties, schools and campuses of Memorial.

During consultations, stakeholders clearly articulated a desire for Memorial to increase its contributions towards advancing the economy of the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. To accomplish this, a draft document has been prepared recommending that Memorial implement a detailed action plan aiming to:

1. Foster a culture of innovation,
2. Revise and implement its policies in support of innovation,
3. Establish responsive business structures and processes, and
4. Ensure adequate oversight and guidance of its innovation structures and processes.

Launch of the consultation phase began June 10. The document, presently in draft form, is available here for all comments and suggestions. Feedback will be accepted in confidence until Friday, Aug.7 at 5 p.m., via e-mail to vp.research@mun.ca or internal mail, Office of the Vice-President (Research), A2021, St. John’s campus.