EDMONTON — Imagine a future where ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ leads the world in developing groundbreaking disease treatments, increasing access to locally grown food, and creating new energy solutions. That future is closer thanks to a $100-million investment from the Government of ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ to create the Life Sciences Innovation and Future Technologies (LIFT) Centre at the ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥.
This three-year investment will help transform the ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥’s Biological Sciences Building, doubling the number of lab spaces to 3,200. STEM and life sciences programs are at capacity at the ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ due to limited lab spaces.
The LIFT Centre will be a valuable asset to students, faculty, and researchers at the ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ while benefiting the Edmonton region and the entire province. The Centre is projected to increase the U of A’s impact on ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥’s economy by an estimated $154 million in the first five years. It will serve to attract and retain the best and brightest minds to ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥, building a skilled workforce alongside industry partners.
“STEM and Life Sciences programs are not only in high demand, but are critical to the ongoing growth and diversification of ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥’s economy,” says Rajan Sawhney, Minister of Advanced Education. “This landmark investment into the ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥’s LIFT Centre will create a truly state-of-the-art facility, while increasing lab spaces and capacity at the U of A, meeting the demands of a growing population. I look forward to seeing this project go from vision to reality, and I know students will benefit greatly.”
The U of A educates 25 per cent of ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥’s post-secondary students. President Bill Flanagan says this project furthers the U of A’s commitment to building a more prosperous future. “We thank the Government of ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ for this substantial investment in our shared vision of advancing ¾ÅÐãÖ±²¥ as a global leader in STEM and life sciences research and education,” says Flanagan. “This investment will advance our position as a hub of innovation and knowledge, and increase our capacity to educate the next generation of change-makers.”
The LIFT Centre will be much more than a renovated building, says Matina Kalcounis-Rueppell, dean and vice-provost of the College of Natural and Applied Sciences. “The LIFT Centre will be a state-of-the-art laboratory centre that brings together scientists, students, and industry leaders to educate, innovate, make discoveries, and shape our future.”
To speak with Matina Kalcounis-Rueppell please contact:
Michael Brown, U of A media strategist | michael.brown@ualberta.ca | 780-977-1411