Regina, SK – Today, Advanced Education Minister Kevin Doherty announced $270,000 to support 36 graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in research and development internships with Saskatchewan companies and industry associations.
“This funding will enable interns to develop their careers with Saskatchewan companies,” Doherty said. “This investment will also help to support the province’s growth plan through the development of highly-skilled talent and by increasing the competitiveness of Saskatchewan’s economy.”
Funding for the internships will be awarded through Mitacs, a national not-for-profit research and development organization that specializes in the commercialization of cutting-edge technologies.
Mitacs enables interns to develop vital scientific and business skills by matching top university talent with companies to solve real-life problems and increase competitiveness at low cost. Mitacs interns gain valuable industrial experience, networks and professional skills for high-quality careers in Saskatchewan, while academics establish valuable long-standing industry partnerships in physical, life and health sciences, engineering, and social sciences research.
The provincial contribution to Mitacs will leverage an additional $810,000 in funding in 2015-16 from the federal government and private sector partners.
“Facilitating innovation and research excellence is the key to a vibrant economy in Saskatchewan,” Mitacs CEO and Scientific Director Alejandro Adem said. “Mitacs is grateful for the Government of Saskatchewan’s investment in Mitacs Accelerate and we look forward to working with local industry and academia to build the province’s next generation of innovators and researchers.”
Since 2007, Saskatchewan has invested nearly $1.5 million in the Mitacs Accelerate internship program. With federal funding and industry contributions, a total of $4.2 million has been invested in Saskatchewan’s economy. To date, this investment has supported 175 graduate student and postdoctoral fellow internships in Saskatchewan.
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