UNBC is one of six post secondary institutions that will be working with corporate and high tech industry leaders.

This will help with the university in playing a key role in the BC led Canada’s Digital Technology Supercluster Initiative focusing on global economic opportunities addressing productivity, health, and sustainability challenges.

Interim VP Geoff Payne says the funding they’ve received from the government will go towards a variety of projects.

“Geo-spacial, so, mapping impacts of climate change, natural resource development those types of things. That’s one area the industry is excited to work with us on and there will be others that would come out of that.”

Canada’s Digital Technology Supercluster Initiative includes founding partners Telus, Microsoft, Teck, Canfor, Shoppers Drug Mart, Providence Health Care and Research Universities’ Council of British Columbia members including UNBC, Simon Fraser University, the University of Victoria, and the University of British Columbia, along with Emily Carr University and the B.C. Institute of Technology.

“UNBC has a terrific research community, fueled by the inquisitive nature and technical expertise of our faculty and students,” said Payne. “Working together, and as part of a larger consortium, will improve our research and development, improve our talent development, and help create an environment that empowers economic development and diversification for the North.”