The Provincial Government is pouring $2.25M into research into tall wood building design at UNBC.
The announcement was made at the Wood Innovation and Design Centre downtown Prince George, the very type of building the research program will study.
The money will also support the school’s master’s program in wood design, something that UNBC President Daniel Weeks says has people talking.
“We are already a world leader in innovative wood design. I was in China in August, we went to a small university there who also does interesting work in wood engineering. They had already heard about us and knew what we were doing and are looking forward to partnering with us.”
The master’s program is one of a kind in BC and has been attracting a wave of applicants.
The research team will be chaired by Thomas Tannert, a structural engineer originally from Germany.
“Really excited about being part of a team that can address these issues holistically and train the next generation of engineers – we are really fortunate to have four great students this year and many more next year.” Tannert said
MLA Shirley Bond noted that while research funding may not seem that exciting on the surface, it’s a catalyst for change, innovation and an “exciting investment in this community”