"Smaller, faster, better": new NSERC-COM DEV Chair in Filter and Switch Technologies to supercharge communications research at the University of Waterloo

Waterloo, Ontario, 12 February, 2002 – Andrew Telegdi, Member of Parliament for Kitchener-Waterloo, today announced on behalf of Allan Rock, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), the new NSERC-COM DEV Industrial Research Chair in Filter and Switch Technologies at the University of Waterloo. NSERC is providing $1,000,000 over five years and COM DEV $850,000.

"Filters and switches are crucial elements in wireless and satellite technology," explained new chairholder Dr. Raafat Mansour. "The devices that my team is developing will make communications technology smaller, faster and better. That means cell phones that are lighter and bring us more services more efficiently; and satellites that stay longer in orbit and are more productive because the smaller communications devices leave more room for fuel."

"Filters and switches are at the heart of innovation in the communications industry," said MP Andrew Telegdi. "The University of Waterloo team will keep Canada intellectually at the leading edge of this field and, most importantly for the future, train the new talent who will drive the Canadian innovations of tomorrow. That is why the federal government is funding this important work."

NSERC president Dr. Tom Brzustowski stated, "Telecommunications research is a Canadian strength and will continue to be so. NSERC is pleased to be partnering with COM DEV, the largest Canadian-based designer and manufacturer of space hardware subsystems."

NSERC is the primary federal agency investing in people, discovery, and innovation. The Council supports both basic university research through research grants and project research through partnerships among universities, governments and the private sector, as well as the advanced training of highly qualified people.

For further information, contact:

Francis Lionnet
Public Affairs Officer
Communications
NSERC
Tel.: (613) 992-9001
Fax: (613) 943-0742
E-mail: francis.lionnet@nserc.ca

Dr. Raafat Mansour
University of Waterloo
Tel.: (519) 888-4567 ext.5780
Fax: (519) 746-3077
E-mail: raafat.mansour@ece.uwaterloo.ca