Annual Report 1998/1999

Transferring Technology Chief Executive Officer's Message Shifting Attitude Transferring new technology for superior infrastructure to the public domain requires a three-pronged approach: cultivating a generational shift in attitude, proof through demonstration projects, and offering a professional outreach program. The value of the former appreciates every year with ISIS promotional materials and communications, and by research students with new ideas joining the working ranks. Since the outset of the ISIS program, 75 students have graduated and found employment in industry, government, and academia. Many continue to work with ISIS on field applications and consulting projects. Re-educating Professionals In terms of offering professional re-training, ISIS has increased its outreach by way of seminars and workshops. Successful events were co-hosted this past year by universities and industry partners in Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto, Sherbrooke and Halifax. Feedback from registrants has been exceptionally positive and has reinforced our view that hands-on training in small groups is the right format. Educators can customize the course according to the group's particular interests and concerns. Our emphasis on workshops continues to increase as materials, such as design aids and manuals, are published. Inviting Feedback Open and continuous communication between academia and industry, combined with brutally honest self-analysis, is essential for ISIS Canada to remain at the helm of international competition. For this reason, the ISIS Canada Annual Conference is an efficient technology transfer tool. This year's Conference attracted an increased number of infrastructure owners, managers, consultants, and engineers, who had learned of Canada's award winning, innovative structures through the website, promotional materials, and media coverage. During the one-day open forum, attendees responded with insightful and practical questions, all of which help to strengthen this solution-oriented research network. Opening International Markets for Canadians Opportunities to export consulting and construction services grow as FRP and remote sensing technologies gain unofficial sanction in Canada (a precursor to official sanction via codes). ISIS has also become the point of reference for these technologies in the international community. Its reputation is spreading to the extent that Canadian infrastructure designers and contractors are now in a position to use ISIS Canada technologies to support their bids for contracts throughout the world. By offering the most current technologies in fibre-reinforced polymers and fibre optic sensing, Canadians are gaining a commercial advantage in the global marketplace. Moving Forward The first four years have been spent establishing partnerships with industry and governments working hard to secure the coveted position as international leader. Mission accomplished. Now the focus turns to disseminating a great mass of specific details so that Canadian field applications of FRP and remote monitoring are not only the most innovative in the world, but also the most accessible. This will facilitate the ultimate goal of having government and industry adopt the advanced techniques developed by ISIS Canada as common practice. In Canada, the expected service life for a bridge is about 50 years. In some parts of the world it is 120 years. Everywhere, rehabilitation of these conventionally-reinforced bridges occurs on average at 20 years. No one is disputing the need for longer lasting, less expensive in the long-run, infrastructure. Our course is set. ISIS continues to pursue its goal. Lloyd McGinnis, P. Eng. Chief Executive Officer

Top

Menu