Annual Report 1999/2000

Chief Executive Officer's Message Formulating new ideas is easy compared to displacing old technology Researchers throughout the ISIS Network are brimming with new ideas, revolutionary concepts and exciting approaches to resolving the infrastructure crisis. There seems to be no limit to their creativity, and the potential for new research and field demonstration projects continues to accelerate. The receptivity of the end users, however, is tied to a different time frame. The mandate of ISIS Canada is to revolutionize the design and construction of civil engineering structures, which is a long-term endeavour. As public safety is involved in the construction of bridges and structures, it is natural that design engineers and infrastructure owners are cautious about embracing new technologies. This is especially relevant when there are no codes of standard practice available. For this reason, the milestone reached by the ISIS Network over the past year in preparing draft manuals for design engineers is of paramount importance. It is widely acknowledged that ISIS research students will change the face of technology. The ISIS Network is to be commended for the effort made and success achieved over the past couple of years in training highly qualified personnel. Experience gained by the students goes far beyond the classroom and research labs. They are learning to apply their knowledge for the practical benefit of Canadians in general, and the infrastructure sector, in particular. In accordance with our mandate, ISIS participants have continued to use every opportunity over the past year to patent their intellectual property. Some of the patents are held by the researcher and/or the university in which they are based. Others are held by industry as a condition of the joint-venture agreements. In terms of start-up companies, Fibre Optic Systems Technology, Inc. was created as a spin-off of ISIS research. It will fill a Canadian void for equipment associated with data collection using fibre optic sensors. The administration arm of the ISIS network has been incorporated as ISIS Canada Corporation, and now functions independently from the University of Manitoba. This arrangement has worked well with our host university and, at the same time, has provided increased flexibility for ISIS to manage its affairs, particularly in relation to joint ventures with industry. Fiscal year 1999/2000 has been a very busy and productive year in every aspect of our new corporation. Many thanks and a fond farewell are extended to Dr. Sami Rizkalla for having served as President and Program Leader over the past five years. He is an internationally acclaimed scientist with the mind of an entrepreneur. His desire to excel and his natural ability to infuse researchers and students with a contagious drive to succeed have been the platform upon which ISIS Canada has progressed. As a leader, mentor and friend, he will be missed by all. Fortunately, ISIS is a Network of many talents and we are looking forward to Dr. Mufti's leadership. Thank you also to the Board of Directors and Technology Transfer Committee for your never-ending guidance. Lloyd R. McGinnis, Ph.D., P.Eng. Chief Executive Officer

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