Industry Heavyweights Tapped For ‘Fulcrum,’ UNB’s Innovation Partnership
FREDERICTON–The University of New Brunswick has recruited five industry leaders and plans to pick their brains to support innovation in New Brunswick.
Those leaders are: Denis Caron, president and CEO of the Belledune Port Authority; Duncan Gallant, research and evaluation coordinator at the Joint Economic Developer Initiative (JEDI); Alicia Roisman Ismach, head of Atlantic Fintech; Beth Webster, vice-president of Populus Global Solutions and Pat Whalen, chairman and CEO of LuminUltra Technologies have joined the board of UNB’s Fulcrum Initiative.
They will make up the Fulcrum, a research initiative that combines the knowledge of academia and industry. Led by UNB Vice-President David MaGee, Fulcrum builds research partnerships that encourage academic engagement outside of UNB.
“The passion and experience they bring to the table will support our vision that UNB plays an important role in bringing together industry, academia, government, and community in support of a stronger, healthier, and more innovative Atlantic Canada,” said MaGee in a November 15 news release.
UNB spokesperson Jeremy Elder-Jubelin said Fulcrum represents a drive to increase UNB’s presence in the world “and meet its partners where they are, with the support they need, when and how they need it.”
Jubelin said Fulcrum focuses effort and resources in areas where there is ample opportunity or need–and areas where UNB can provide expertise.
Fulcrum’s board will contribute to UNB’s Research And Innovation Partnerships group.
Hart Devitt, research and innovation partnerships director and Fulcrum lead, said the province has a thriving innovation community “and we’re very much looking forward to working with this group and with our partners to support economic and social growth in the region.”
Jubelin said the industry leader are deeply experienced and are known for their commitment to collaborate and innovate in their respective sectors.
“The board’s expert guidance will strengthen relationships between industry and academia and enhance UNB contributions to regional, national and global innovation,” said Elder-Jubelin.
That enhancement will lead to economic growth, through its support of the priority areas in the Atlantic Canada Growth Strategy.
The Atlantic Canada Growth Strategy is federal economic initiative launched in 2016 intended to create well-paying middle-class jobs, strengthen local economies and build innovative business throughout the Atlantic Provinces.
Sam Macdonald is a Huddle reporter in Moncton. Send him your feedback and story ideas: [email protected].