Quebec's telecommunications experts connect on research and training
Researchers from five Quebec universities have joined together to promote excellence in telecommunications research and training
The Centre for Advanced Systems and Technologies in Communications (SYTACom) was launched today at McGill University, which serves as the Centre's base. The researchers were joined by Sylvie Dillard, head of the Fonds québécois de la recherche sur la nature et technologies (FQRNT) — the Centre's main funding partner — and representatives of the participating universities.
More than 30 experts from McGill, Concordia University, Université Laval, the Institut national de la recherche scientifique – Énergie, Matériaux et Télécommunications and Université de Sherbrooke have united to form SYTACom.
SYTACom's research will focus on the areas of advanced networks, communications software, intelligent signal processing and broadband transmission. This research will provide technological advances and train people for the information and communications technologies sector, including emerging domains such as e-commerce, electronic security and telemedicine.
The Centre will promote collaborative research into complex systems-level challenges in communications by interdisciplinary teams drawn from across participating universities. It will also organize networking and training events that will link academic participants with industry.
FQRNT will invest nearly $1.5 million over the next six years in SYTACom, in partnership with the participating universities.
"SYTACom will be a success if we make it a 'connected' environment — bringing researchers together in useful ways so as to support exchange and creativity, and helping industry access talent and ideas in our network," said Prof. David V. Plant, Centre director and James McGill Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at McGill.
"We want to work together to grow the profile and impact of Quebec research internationally in these areas," added Prof. Tho Le-Ngoc, scientific director of the Centre. "This will create industrial development opportunities and job prospects for our students in the future."
"SYTACom's creation is proof of Quebec's strength in cutting-edge telecommunications research and training, and of our potential for economic development," emphasized Sylvie Dillard, head of FQRNT, during the inauguration.
Friday's inaugural ceremony concluded with a research workshop designed to review current research trends and priorities, and jumpstart dialogue with industry.
