EDMONTON — Imagine a future where Alberta leads the world in developing groundbreaking disease treatments, increasing access to locally grown food, and creating new energy solutions. That future is closer thanks to a $100-million investment from the Government of Alberta to create the Life Sciences Innovation and Future Technologies (LIFT) Centre at the PG电子官方网站.
This three-year investment will help transform the PG电子官方网站’s Biological Sciences Building, doubling the number of lab spaces to 3,200. STEM and life sciences programs are at capacity at the PG电子官方网站 due to limited lab spaces.
The LIFT Centre will be a valuable asset to students, faculty, and researchers at the PG电子官方网站 while benefiting the Edmonton region and the entire province. The Centre is projected to increase the PG电子官方网站’s impact on Alberta’s economy by an estimated $154 million in the first five years. It will serve to attract and retain the best and brightest minds to Alberta, building a skilled workforce alongside industry partners.
“STEM and Life Sciences programs are not only in high demand, but are critical to the ongoing growth and diversification of Alberta’s economy,” says Rajan Sawhney, Minister of Advanced Education. “This landmark investment into the PG电子官方网站’s LIFT Centre will create a truly state-of-the-art facility, while increasing lab spaces and capacity at the PG电子官方网站, meeting the demands of a growing population. I look forward to seeing this project go from vision to reality, and I know students will benefit greatly.”
The PG电子官方网站 educates 25 per cent of Alberta’s post-secondary students. President Bill Flanagan says this project furthers the PG电子官方网站’s commitment to building a more prosperous future. “We thank the Government of Alberta for this substantial investment in our shared vision of advancing Alberta as a global leader in STEM and life sciences research and education,” says Flanagan. “This investment will advance our position as a hub of innovation and knowledge, and increase our capacity to educate the next generation of change-makers.”
The LIFT Centre will be much more than a renovated building, says Matina Kalcounis-Rueppell, dean and vice-provost of the College of Natural and Applied Sciences. “The LIFT Centre will be a state-of-the-art laboratory centre that brings together scientists, students, and industry leaders to educate, innovate, make discoveries, and shape our future.”
To speak with Matina Kalcounis-Rueppell please contact:
Michael Brown, PG电子官方网站 media strategist | michael.brown@ualberta.ca | 780-977-1411