Chairs for Women in Science and Engineering Announced

Winnipeg, Manitoba, October 5, 1996 – Dr. Jon Gerrard, Secretary of State (Science, Research and Development), announced today at the Prairie Regional Meeting of the Canadian Federation of University Women that the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) will invest up to $1.25 million for five new Chairs for Women in Science and Engineering (CWSE) at Canadian universities. The Chairs, each to be located in a different region of Canada, will focus on increasing the participation of women in science and engineering.

"In addition to providing role models to young women who wish to pursue careers in science and engineering, these Chairs will sensitize science and engineering university faculties on how to improve and promote the integration of women students and professionals amongst their ranks," Dr. Gerrard said.

The initiative stems from a recommendation contained in a report submitted to NSERC's Council in June 1996 by its Task Force on Women in Science and Engineering. The Task Force's mandate was to advise Council on how to create an environment that encourages greater participation of women in research. It was chaired by Dr. Monique Frize, holder of the Nortel/NSERC Chair on Women in Engineering at the University of New Brunswick.

NSERC will match private sector cash contributions of up to $50,000 per year for each of five years towards the creation of individual Chairs, which are renewable for an additional five years. Chairholders are expected to contribute up to 50% of their time towards the activities of the Chair.

Proposals for a Chair may be submitted by any Canadian university, or jointly by two or more universities in the same region. It is expected that awards will be announced before February 28, 1997.

NSERC is the national instrument for making strategic investments in Canada's capability in science and technology. NSERC supports both basic university research through research grants and project research through partnerships of universities with industry, as well as the advanced training of highly qualified people in both areas.

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