PRESS RELEASE – On 13 April 2023 in Montréal, the Swiss Polar Institute (SPI), Université Laval (ULaval) and the Institut nordique du Québec (INQ) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for collaborative research in sub-polar and polar regions. A joint online info event on 25 April will inaugurate their shared vision and goal towards concerted projects and complementary expertise.
On 13 April 2023 in Montréal, during the scientific and economic mission of Swiss Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin to Canada, the Swiss Polar Institute (SPI), Université Laval (ULaval) and the Institut nordique du Québec (INQ) signed an MoU. This MoU represents a substantial development towards new avenues of collaboration opportunities between the Swiss and Canadian polar and high-altitude science communities. It will also enable facilitated access to respective research infrastructure, as well as the exchange of personnel, data, and other resources, to the mutual benefit of all parties. The agreement will be signed by Christian Leumann, SPI Foundation Board Vice-Chair, Frédéric Herman, SPI Foundation Board Member, Sophie D’Amours, ULaval Rector and Jean-Éric Tremblay, INQ Director.
To present their new partnership, the SPI, ULaval and the INQ will hold a joint online info event on 25 April 2023 from 2:30pm to 5pm CEST. The event will comprise a presentation of the collaboration agreement and its benefits to the polar science communities from Quebec and Switzerland, an outline of the application mechanisms and processes, as well as an overview of Swiss and Quebec Arctic and high-altitude science initiatives. To explore potential collaborations, the programme foresees a round table discussion between the science communities from Quebec and Switzerland and offers the possibility to those interested to present their field of research or projects in the Arctic or high-altitude regions.
Detailed information and registration to the event:
https://swisspolar.ch/event/info-event-on-collaboration-between-spi-and-institut-nordique-du-quebec/
About the Swiss Polar Institute
A foundation at the service of the Swiss polar and high-altitude community
The Swiss Polar Institute is a foundation with the mission to support Swiss polar and high-altitude science. The Swiss Polar Institute is recognised as “Research institution of national importance” by the Swiss Confederation.
www.swisspolar.ch
Twitter: @SwissPolar
About Université Laval (ULaval)
Located in Quebec City, ULaval is a major teaching and research university that ranks among the top ten Canadian universities in terms of research. A national leader in concerted northern and Arctic research, it serves as the host institution for numerous national and international Arctic research initiatives such as the Institut nordique du Québec (INQ), the ArcticNet Network of Centres of Excellence, the Centre for northern studies (CEN), the Sentinel North CFREF program, the Takuvik International Research Lab, the Arctic Council’s Sustainable Development Working Group Secretariat, and Amundsen Science, the scientific operator of the Canadian research icebreaker CCGS Amundsen.
www.ulaval.ca
About the Institut nordique du Québec (INQ)
Founded in 2014, INQ brings together the expertise of more than 250 researchers and 80 affiliated centres from fifteen Quebec universities, with the active participation of the Indigenous nations of northern Quebec (Cree, Naskapi, Innu, Inuit), colleges, and the private and public sectors. INQ aims to integrate scientific knowledge with that of local communities, including Indigenous knowledge, and partner with the public and private sectors to develop the Canadian Arctic and Northern Quebec for future generations, providing clean energy, healthy ecosystems, viable infrastructures, economic prosperity, vibrant cultures, and adapted education and healthcare systems.
www.inq.ulaval.ca
Press enquiries
Swiss Polar Institute: Jelena Ristic, Communication Officer, , +41 21 693 76 39
Université Laval: Public Relations and Protocol Team, , 1 418-656-3355
Institut nordique du Québec: Brigitte Bigue, Executive Director, , 1 418 656-2131 (ext. 403904)