New NSERC-GM Chair Will Focus on the Wear-and-Tear of Lightweight Auto Materials

Windsor, Ontario, May 22, 2002 – Susan Whelan, Minister for International Cooperation, and Member of Parliament for Essex and, Allan Rock, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), announce the creation of the new NSERC-General Motors of Canada Industrial Research Chair at the University of Windsor. NSERC is providing $750,000 over five years, with General Motors of Canada contributing a further $750,000.

"A key to innovation is research, which yields new knowledge and creates new opportunities," said Allan Rock. "We need to commercialize the results of our research and development in order to position Canada as the source of products the world seeks to buy."

The chair's work will be in the area of tribology, the study of friction, lubrication and wear between two surfaces. "Our research in tribology is an example of today's intensified drive for new and better materials, designs and manufacturing processes," explained chairholder Dr. Ahmet Alpas. "This chair will be great for our community and our university, as well as for General Motors and for Canada."

"The automotive industry is hungry for innovations in the area of wear and friction," said Susan Whelan. "I congratulate the University of Windsor and General Motors of Canada for establishing this new partnership in such a crucial area."

This chair is the fourth NSERC Industrial Research Chair in which the University of Windsor is partnering with a leading automobile manufacturer.

"The University of Windsor's strength in automotive engineering and its active partnerships with major industry players have produced positive impacts both nationally and locally," said NSERC president Tom Brzustowski. "This chair marks yet another step in building Canadian excellence in this important industrial sector."

NSERC is one of the primary federal agencies 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.

On February 12, 2002, the Government of Canada launched Canada's Innovation Strategy, two papers that lay out a plan to address skills and innovation challenges for the next decade. The paper released by Minister Rock was entitled Achieving Excellence: Investing in People, Knowledge and Opportunity. It proposes goals, targets and priorities for Canada over the next decade to: create knowledge and bring ideas to market more quickly; ensure a skilled workforce in the new economy; modernize business and regulatory policies while protecting the public interest; and, strengthen communities by supporting innovation at the local level. Today's announcement supports this strategy.

For more information about Canada's Innovation Strategy or to obtain a copy of either Knowledge Matters: Skills and Learning for Canadians or Achieving Excellence: Investing in People, Knowledge and Opportunity, please call 1 800 O-CANADA (1-800-622-6232) or visit www.innovationstrategy.gc.ca.

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